SOUTH BEATS NORTH IN INTERISLAND HOCKEY AT WANGANUI

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 June 1950, Page 6

SOUTH BEATS NORTH IN INTERISLAND HOCKEY AT WANGANUI

Game Served As Trial Prior To Choice Of N.Z. Team To Tour Australia

Superior combination and greater polish in the forwards gave the South Island a well-merited win by three goals to two in the inter-island hoekey match played at Cook’s Gardens on Saturday. South Island played the best, hockey and, but for some excellent work by the North right back, J. Buchan (Auckland), they would probably have won by a greater margin.

The ground was in excellent order for the game which was I played before an attendance of j about 900. Although the weatherl was tine there was a strong, westerly wind. Apart from some scrappy play in the second spell, the hockey was of a high standard and a strong New Zealand team rjiould be available for the tour of Australia. Territorial honours in the hrst spell went to the South, but half-time came with the score one all. South dominated play in the early stages of the second spell scoring two goals. North reduced the leeway with a goal about five minutes from full time. They made strenuous efforts to equalise, but the South defence held. Feature of the game was the accurate short passing and positional play of the South forwards with I. Smith iCanterhuiy) inside right and G. McGregor (Otago) inside left outstanding players. The South forwards had greater sjeed and understanding than the North players, who were slow by comparifcu. South were also superior in the half-hue. Despite some errors by R. Adcock (Manawatu), North had the better defence. Th: South Island captain, W. Morris (Canterbury) was prominent at right half where he gave a clever display of stickwork At left half J. Andreassend (South Canterbury) was sound on defence ano was instrumental in starting manj of South’s attacks. At centre-half C. Peacock (Canterbury) overshadowed the prominent Wellington j ’ayer and captain of the North Island, J. Tynan. However, the latter did not receve the support which was forthcoming to Peacock. D. Chatfield (Auckland) payed a solid game for North. Except on a few occasions the North forwards could not get going as a combination. This was due to a disappointing display by the North Auckland veteran, R. Roughton and H. Englert (Wellington) on the right wing. Englert was caught out of position on many occasions. The best of the North attack was R. Partridge, the speedy Taranaki inside forward. Good form was shown by the wingers, P. Munro (Manawatu), H. Brownlie (Canterbury) and K. Le Compte (Nelson), the latter being very fast. Altogether it was a fast, open and exciting game with Buchan, Morris, Smith and McGregor the outstanding participants. RUN OF PLAY. North scored first after about 10 minutes play when from a melee following a penalty corner, Partridge netted with a shot that gave Carr no chance. Smith (South Island) came into the picture with a run of about 40 yards. He moved to near the goal mouth, but missed his shot South were playin:, clever hockey and looked the mo;, impressive team and they were rewarded with a goal by Brownlie after a penalty corner. North made attempts to break through, but the South halves were intercepting well and putting their own forwards on attack. Clever work by their forwards kept South on top. However, North broke away in a good movement to catch the defence out of position, but Partridge just failed to gather the ball in with only the goalie to beat. South returned to the offensive through a brilliant run by their fullback Down, who raced inside his own half up to the goalmouth. He drew Jenkins out of goal, but Adcock anticipated well to save the goal. Play continued to be in South’s favour, but just could not break through the good defence of Buchan and Chatfield. Right on half-time North were awarded a penalty bully. Partridge beat Downs to the bully, but the latter saved the ball from going into the net. North began the second spell with the wind and sun in their favour, but South immediately went on attack. Andreassend sent a perfect pass to Smith, who, with a beautiful lofted shot beat Jenkins to make the score South 2, North 1. Smith flashed past the full backs soon after. However, Jenkins made a I grand sate. From a penalty bully. South were awarded a goal. Thomas and Adcock took the bully and when) the latter obstructed, the umpire had no hesitation in giving South a goal. Led by Partridge North took play to South’s territory and a score nearly resulted. Although North were momentarily on top they could not score. The play that followed was noticeable for excellent combination between McGregor and Le Compte. At this stage territorial honours were even with South the more finished team. From a South attack Adcock cleared to Munro. The Manawatu winger raced down tae sde line, drew the defence and from a god centre across the goalmouth Englert scored. Munro’s smart break caught the South out of position and Englert had plenty of time to judge his shot. With only one goal separating the. two teams, play became desperte and exciting. North stormed the South circle and a hard shot from Englert was well saved by Carr. Partridge followed up only to see his shot miss. It was a close thing for South, but on ihe run of play North did not deserve a draw. South returned to the attack, but the game ended without any further score. The Hams were: —South Island: W. M. Carr (Otago), M. W. Down (Canterbury), M.E.P. Kofoed (Otago), J. Andreassend (South Canterbury), C H. R. Pemcck (Canterbury), W. Morris (Canterbury), captain K. Le Compte (Nelson), G. D. McGregoi (Otago), E. Thomas (Canterbury), L. Smith (Canterbury), H. N. Brownlie Canterbury).

North Island: R. Jenkins (Auckland', R. Adcock (Manawatu), Buchan (Auckland), D. Chatfield ' (Auckland: J. Tynan (Wellington, captain, B. Turner (Manawatu?, F. Munro (Manawatu), R. Partridge, (Taranaki), R. Roughton (Whan-] garei), M. Rees (Wellington). H.. Englert (Wellington). Mr. J. S. D. Tizard (Wanganui) and i Mr. K. Hamilton (ChristchurEh) were | the umpires. In a match for the Winter Shield Manawatu Colts beat Wanganui Colts by three goals to nil. The winners were by far the better side, outplaying Wanganui in most phases of the play.