HOCKEY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 110, 11 May 1936, Page 5

HOCKEY

WANGANUI ASSOCIATION COMPETITIONS RESUMED Y.M.C.A. AND WESLEY DRAW Frequent rain showers caused unpleasant conditions at Gonville Park on Saturday afternoon, when the Wanganui Hockey Association's competition fixtures were played. Only one contest was decided in the men’s senior A section, a match between Y.M.C.A. and Wesley resulting in a draw after a good game. Old Boys were again unable to field a team and had to forfeit to Hinemoa. In the men's B section, Ralana won from Technical A by five goals to three. Owing to the term holidays the Technical B v. Technical C fixture did not eventuate. In the ladies’ A grade section. Putiki met Aramoho and after a good game defeated the pakeha team by two goals to one. The game was played under unpleasant weather conditions, but for an opening match of the season it was of a good standard? Old Girls were seen to advantage when they defeated Ratana by three goals, to nil. Kaiwhaiki won by a substantial margin from Kauangaroa, ihe final score being four —nil.

Results at a Glance Men's A Section Wesley J , ) .M.C.A. 1. Men’s B Section i Katana 5, Technical C 3. | Ladies’ Section ; Old Girls 3, Ratana 0. Putiki 2, Aramoho 1. J Kaiwhaiki 4, Kauangaroa 0. Ratana v. Technical A I'he opening stages were fairlv even, each side having its fair share of the attacking and defending. The game was a bit patchy in places, but was an improvement on last week and promises well for the future. The halftime score was one-all, a goal having heen secured by K. Naidu (Technical) and Morris (Ratana). The second half was decidedly in Ratana’s favour, however. Technical securing only one more goal. On this occasion P. Rumney scc-red from a well-finished movement. Scorers for Ratana were E. Morris (2). S. Hamahona, K. Tukotahi and P. Kawana.

Y.M.C.A. v. Wesley Weslev set the pace at the beginning and from the bully rush led a hot attack which culminated in a goal the ball being flicked from his stick and completely baffling Olsen, the Y.M.C.A. goal-keeper. Quick Io retaliate, however, Y.M.C.A. attacked and Smallwood, using the Indian push stroke, tried for the net, but missed by inches only. A few minutes later Smallwood used the same stroke and sent the ball over the head of the opposing Wesley forwards and backs.— Connett. Wesley's goalkeeper, was caught unawares.---Y.M.C.A, 1, Wesley Wesley had the advantage of the next attack, with Busby, Ginn and Thrush prominent, Olsen being required to stop a hot shot from Thrush. Howatson reversed the position for Y.M.C.A. and for a time play centred round the Wesley net, Connett saving well on each occasion, particularly a well-placed shot by Howatson. This player distinguished himself a little later when a hard drive missed rhe net by about, a yard. From a scramble Howatson. using Ihe Indian push stroke, again narrowly missed scoring. Play was of an un-and-down nature until the whistle went for half-time, the score still remaining lhe same in spite o f repeated determined efforts by the NV- i y forwards. Wesley was again called upon to defend in the opening stages of the second spell. Howatson, Smallwood and E. Ransom were well to the fore and playing good hockey. The two former players are cultivating the push stroke and if Saturday 's play was any criterion they will be factors to be reckoned with in future matches, particularly as the. season advances The second spell was of a fast, up-and-down nature, with the advantage slightly in favour of Y.M.C.A. Busby, Wesley’s new centre-forward, was again playing well and combining with Thrush and N. Ginn. Wesley, on this occasion, was without, the services of Tizard. Considering lhe early stage of the season, the play was of a particularly high standard. There were no dull minutes from start to finish, each side attackng and defending in turn. Y.M.C.A.. however, did most of the attacking toward the latic’ stages of the gamebut Connett was defending well and. in spite of determined efforts by Smallwood, Howatson and Ransom, the Wes'ey defence was not penetrated. The final score was; Y.M.C.A. 1, Wes-! ley 1. The umpires were Messrs. C. /*. ! Con die and S. Hughes.