HOCKEY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11285, 20 June 1904, Page 5

HOCKEY.

SATURDAY'S SHIELD MATCHES.

The matches on Saturday were spoilt bythe heavy rain and sodden grounds. In fact, in the opinion of not a few players, the matches should have been postponed.

EAISTOWN v.,Btt, RAUL'S.

This match, played on the Racecourse,- resulted, in a draw, both. side»- scoring two goals. The contest was fast and interesting -from. 1 start to finish, though of couree the state of the ground made scientific play out of the question. For St.. Paul's Thomaon and Butler scored, whilst- for -Eastown Harris (off a St. Paul's player) contributed the -total. ,Mr J. Scott' refereed. 'i- . . ■i>

C.C.G. v. BAPTISTS;'

This game, played on the College ground,' was more in the nature q|< ft'zaud scramble.' C.C.C.'faced the music with' seven men, several players not turning up, as they made sure the match would be postponed. However, the seven managed to keep things fairly even, though at intervals the yellows got on some overwhelming. rushes', enabling them ,to score four goals, "Harris, Benefield (2), and Gichard' contributing- Towards the end of thegame C.C.C. put all their men except one forward.' Had 'this been done earlier in the game the scores would have been closer, for after this change of tactics, the yello^ws were in diffictulties' most of the time, atod several goals were narrowly averted. Just at the call of time the whites ,gbt over, J. McLean being responsible. The game ended, Baptists 4, .CjO.C. 1. Mr B. Larking refereed impartially./

T.Y.M.I. v. MAXWELL.

The»T.Y.IvLI. team braved the elements and journeyed toMaxwell. The match, which was played in rain and on a ground sodden and slippery, resulted in a win for the town team by 6 to- nil. Ofle player remarked that it reminded him -of the good old mud-pie days. Play commenced at 3-.30, the visitors began to attack, but the first half of the spell was devoted more to the players keeping their feet than playing the game. ..Bond, however, drew first blood for the greens.- In the second snell the ground was a bit more cut up and slippery, but the players were beginning to' like it." T.Y.M.I. had the best of the spelFand added five more goals to their score, fiond (2), Martin and King one each, the ,fifth being the outcome of a mudfight in front of the posts. The whistle sounding was a signal for a rush for buckets of water, when some of the mud was removed. Afternon tea was provided by members of the Maxwell Ladies' Hockey Chib, which, was greatly appreciated by the boy's. Mr W. Willis had charge of the game, and a ducking.

NOTES BY "CENTRE-HALF."

The appearance of some of the players after the match on the College ground on Saturday was amusing— in fact it was almost necessary to scrape- some of the mud off to find who the player was. In the middle of, the ground there was a pool several inches deep, from which the ball had to be "fished" on several occasions. There was no trouble in keeping the ball— a player had only to put his foot on it and it sank out of sight. The conditions were somewhat similar at Maxwell, but at the Racecourse the ground was greasy but not "deep." The match between the Wanganui No. 1 and 2 teams on Thursday should prove very interesting. There is no doubt Wanganui can put the best team in the field, and, under normal conditions, should easily Win the Shield this year. : The C.C.C. team seem to be particularly unfortunate in getting their members together. For the last three or four matches they have played mjnus from two to four of their best men. They should take a leaf out of the T.Y.M.I.'s or Baptists' book, for tlieae teams roll up to a man.

Since the foundation, a quarter of a century ago, the Dresden Piano Company. has been in the habit of offering special terms during the annual balance month, and prospective clients are hereby respectfully notified that the said month has come round again; In addition to making special concessions with regard to terms, the Company, have now received the large shipment .of. goods ordered for the inauguration of the recent change from agency to branch at Wanganui, and the choicest instruments from every manufacturer of note may be seen at their local show room. Intending purchasers should jcertainly not miss this opportunity. A visit, to the Dresden will convince that both, the terms and the instruments are exceptional.— Dresden Piano Company, Victoria Avenue. — N. Phillips, Manager.— Ad vt. ' , t?j/