HOCKEY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 159, 10 July 1935, Page 12

HOCKEY

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Last Saturday -witnessed the Wanganui Association’s annual tournament for the Hughes Cup. There was a good crowd in attendance at Gonville Park and some exciting contests were features of the afternoon’s play. Y.M.C.A. A and Old Boys B had the best teams in the men’s A section and with each team out to win the coveted trophy the pace was fast from start to •finish. The first game resulted in a draw, neither side being successful in spite of the repeated efforts made to penetrate each other’s defences. Y.M.C.A. A and Old Boys B emerged from their section with five points each. A play-off was necessary and extra time was allowed before Old Boys were successful in winning from a hit behind. Wesley A and Hinemoa A had the strongest teams in the B section. These two teams were also equal in points and a deciding game had to be played. After exciting play, during which some good hockey was witnessed, Hinemoa defeated Wesley by two goals to one. Marangai and Katana A won their sections outright and met in the semifinals. The Maoris displayed too much skill for the new Marangai team, however, and won by two goals to nil. In the other semi-final between Hinemoa A and Old Boys a hard game resulted but Hinemoa A showed more penetration and won by three goals to one. After a spell, Hinemoa A continued on their winning way, and accounted for the Maori team (Ratana) in the final by three goals to nil. '* * * * Play in the ladies ’ section was also full of interest. Kaiwhaiki and Old Girls were equal in points at the end of play in the A section. Extra time was allowed and Old Girls won from a hit behind the line. Athletic (Marton) also put in a strong team, but met with plenty of opposition. The Marton girls played very well, however. and emerged the winners of their section. G section was also interesting. In this section Collegians were unbeaten, having drawn their three games. Aramoho, however, by winning two games and drawing one, were the victors. In D section, Technical Old Girls and Old Girls B had to play off. Old Girls won from a hit behind the line. The semi-finals of the ladies’ section provided some of the highiignrs of the afternoon’s play. Athletic met Old Girls A and a very fast game was witnessed. Athletic showed supeiior combination and left the field after winning by one goal to nil. The contest between Ararnoho and Old Girls B resulted in a keen struggle. no score being recorded at the call of time. After extra play, Ararnoho secured the verdict by a hit behind. Il was practically dark a hen the final was played. Ararnoho, who had just competed in a hard game with Old Girls A. were not expected to win, but seemed to have plenty of cucrgv in reserve. Athletic proved themselves to be formidable opponents and during the first spell there was little between the two teams. Earlv in the second half, however, the Ararnoho forwards broke away, and, carrying he ball into Athletic’s circle, made no mistake in finding the net. Ararnoho won amidst great applause. I he decision of the Wellington Hockey Association to undertake as soon as possible a vigorous recruiting campaign to extend the game in the schoo's is a move in the right direction, and it wil] be welcomed by all lovers of hockey. The association decided last week to spend £5O of its profits of the A 11-India

—Wellington match in “providing additional sticks and other material” for distribution among primary school pupils in the Wellington area. This shows that the association is fully appreciative of the importance of sowing the seeds of the game on the ground where they will be most likely to take root —among the very young people in the schools. The association recognises that if hockey is to retain the place it now occupies, and more than that, is to grow in influence and to take a higher place in the public regard. there must be a supply of young fellows constantly coming forward to take the place of those who drop out through advancing years. ♦ • * • One of the umpires for the third Test between India and New Zealand to be played at Auckland on July 20. has been appointed. He is Mr. Williams, of Auckland, who as ably controlled the last Auckland-Wellington game for the challenge shield last year. He is very strict on obstruction, and does not hesitate to impose even penalty bullies when he thinks fit. The other umpire has not yet been appointed. The Indians have the right to choose one umpire from a list submitted by the N.Z.H.A. Although they were definitely superior throughout the match the AllIndia touring hockey team beat Taranaki at Eltham on Thursday by only three goals to nil. The weather conditions were ideal and Tanmata Park was packed with 6000 people, while the streets within a considerable radius were lined with parked motor-cars which had streamed into Eltham throughout the day from all parts of the province says the Taranaki Herald. The crowd was thrilled by the brilliant play of the tourists and by the sound defence of the provincial representatives, for Taranaki is the first province to restrict the Indians to three goals. The only other match in which they have not scored more than three was the second test against New Zealand, while Canterbury is the only other province to have scored within three goals of their opponents. The Taranaki team’s performance was, therefore, the more creditable. From the first bully the Indians were on the attack and they always held the territorial advantage, although it was small in the first half. Taranaki’s attacks were generally on the left wing and came, in the main, from breakaways, and while they frequently resulted in the Taranaki forwards milling about the goal they were unable to finish off the many promising movements. Surgenor and Betts were the outstanding forwards who commenced and carried those thrusts as far as they went, and Fleet was generally in support. Bettye was unfortunate in two of his shots and one of them was at first signalled as a goal by the umpire. He sent in a hard shot from a narrow angle, the ball travelling about four feet above th© ground and then dropping to crash against the wooden side of th© goal. After the umpire had signalled a score it was realised that the ball had found its way into the goal through a hole in the netting and the umpire reversed his decision. The second time he actually ran into th© goal with the ball, but was called back I fur having received it inside th© circle. It was the lack of combination, particularly in the forward line, which prevented the majority of the Taranaki movements reaching fruition and the ball was on several occasions sent to a good scoring position only for an Indian to he the only player waiting for it. On defence Page, who also featured on attack. Clarke. Ryan and Morgan were splendid, while Payne, whose task was the most difficult in the team, was safe throughout. H© could scarcely | hav© been expected to save the three shots which resulted in scores, and he always came out of the milling play with a good clearance. Winter ailments need prompt alien tion. Be prepared for coughs and colds this year! Keep a bottle of “NAZOL” handy! Gives prompt relief! ]/:> at I all chemists and stores.—Advt.