HOCKEY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 183, 7 August 1935, Page 5

HOCKEY

I

"STICKS." )

With the end of the Wanganui Hockey Association’s cup competitions drawing near, the Saturday afternoon play at Gonville Park is increasing in tcrest.

In nearly all the sections, the leading teams arc running very close to one another. As yet it is not possible to predict which teams will emerge the winnms, but it is safe to say that it will be necessary for some of the teams Io p'ay off in order to decide the issue. Last Saturday the competition wore continued in ideal weather and with the exception of No. 2, the grounds: were in first-class order. No. 2 still requires rolling and cutting, otherwise the grounds are much improved. Play on Saturday was generally of a good standard and considerable interest was taken in the various games by the large number of spectators present.

Following Saturday’s play in the men’s senior A competition, Hinemoa and Old Boys are loading with 17 points each. Wesley comes next with 15 points and Y.M.C.A. follows with 11. In both the senior games, however, the margins of defeat were very narrow. Old Boys won from Y.M.C.A. by three goals to two. and Hinemoa defeated Wesley by two goals to one. Both games wore fast and exciting and full of interest. The result of Saturday’s p’ay brings the three leading teams close into line and the forecast is for a keen finish tn what has been an interesting competition.

The Hinemoa v. Wesley encounter was an even contest. Both teams were very evenly matched and a draw might have been a better indication of the run of the game. Hinemoa reversed the result of their last contest with Wesley and the game wag keen from start to finish.

Wesley started the play without Connett, their goalkeeper, and a somewhat unorthodox formation of four half-backs. Hartnell replaced Connett, hut played up in the backs. The Wes ley forwards commenced a good move right from the start an dfrom this Greenfield scored, thus drawing first blood for Wesley. Greenfield’s score rame from a scramble within the Hinemoa circle. On the resumption of play, however. Hinemoa retaliated and Chisholm evened the score. As there was no goalkeeper he had no difficulty in finding the net. This move caused Wesley to put Hartnell in goal nd thus defend their net. Wesley, however, was consequently playing one short in the backs.

Hinemoa, from a strong attack, started on th c left wing again and scored a little later in the game. C. Sherriff received a very impressive centre from R. Hughes and mado a spectacular dash which completely baffled Hartnell in goal. This made Hinemoa A 2. Wesley 1, and was the last goal scored in the match. After thp change-over Wesley on several occasions held the advantage over Hinemoa and instituted strong attacks, which kept their opponents on the move and defending their goal nets from the onslaughts. On the whole, however, the second half was very evenly contested, particularly towards the finish, when Hinemoa and Wesley attacked alternately. Both sides started promising moves which repeatedly broke down at the circles. L'izard, at one stage of the game, sent a strong shot at goal. For a moment it appeared a certainty, but a quick move on the part of the goal-keeper saved a dangerous situation.

Shortlv after Tizard’s shot at goal, Greenfield also narrowly missed scoring. In the closing stages Wesley pressed hard, but were unabe] to equalise the score. Stewart (Hinemoa). who was playing an excellent game on the right wing, frequently put his team into a good attacking position, but found thc Wesley defence too sound. No further score was made in this match and after an encounter, which was well worth while watching. Hinemoa left the field the victors lyv two goals to one.

The Old Boys v. Y.M.C.A. game was also closely contested and was of a fast, exciting nature. Both sets ot forwards were in good form in the fi-st spell and each side scored alternately. There was very little difference between the teams and had a draw resulted it would have given a better indication of the game.

The B grade match between Hinemoa and Ratana was very willing. Hinemoa won 3 —l, but Katana had the better of the game territoria.lv. 8. Hughes and Young were too solid in defence and spoilt many a promising move started by the Ratana players. The Hinemoa team obstructed freely and this caused the Maoris a great deal of annoyance. Some rough play was the result. The umpires had occasion to warn several of the players, but in spite of this one of the Ratana players was ordered off. For Hinemoa, Stewart. McGrath and Bull were prominent, the latter scoring two goals and McGrath one.

With regard to the points in thc ladies’ B section, Ratana now has three games to play. The championship points now stand at 17. Kaiwhaiki also has J 7 points, but only two games to play. Providing Ratana wins the next three games they must win the comp? tition. In the ladies’ A section, the position is also interesting. ()<d Girls are leading with 21 points and are closely followed by Arainoho (19) These teams are to meet next Saturday arid should be very evenly matched Should Aramoho succeed in beating Old Girls, it may be necessary for these teams to play off in the final, Thc New Zealand University Hockey Council, which has for several years organised an annual tournament between the colleges, has accepted an invitation from the Suva Hockey Association to send a team to Fiji. The team will be away about three weeks and five games will be p ayed in and around Suva, as an appreciation of what the Fniversifies have done for hockey, the N.Z.H \ management committee has decided In make a grant of the team’s equipment fop the tour. The team is to sail lha third week in August.