HOCKEY. UNITED A v. WANGANUI.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11562, 19 May 1905, Page 7

HOCKEY.

UNITED A v. WANGANUI.

This match, played on the College Ground yesterday, resulted in a win for UnitedfTby 3 goals to 2. Wanganui started with" 8 men and a substitute, but were later joined by another, making 10 men, Whilst J;he whites were also minus a player. The reds seemed from the first to lack their last year's combination, due, no doubt, to the full team not rolling up. Uniteds, on the other hand, were moie proficient in" passing, and proved themselves "united" in more ways than one. Early in the game Strange scored the first goal, followed by retaliation from Coe, who sent a pretty brisk one between the posts. Later on the Uniteds were reinforced by Bond who, :pn the wing* -put in some "flife ' anli' A wa''s c - responsible forthe second goal,' to which King, Strange, and Benefield contributed by good passing. .The first spell ended— Unitod 2, Wanganui 1. The second spell was very fast, and play at times was a bit wild, Wanganui especially missing several good chances. After some lively give and take play, in which both back lines, especially Fagan, Armstrong, and Larking put in good work, Strange shot the ball over to the opposite wing! and Bond scored. This was followed by a; series of determined rushes by the red forwards, closely supported by the ceritf-e half, and some smart passing work enabled Loftus to score. The game ended without further score. Mr Oliver refereed.

The game, though fast, -was not up to the usual standard, there being far too many breaches of the rules, especially stick?. It might also be said that there was a great deal to much talking and disputing and this 1 should be irmly put down by the referee. For the winners Clare, Benefield, and King put in a lot of good work, especially the latter, whilst Bond, as usual, was quite" at home on the wing. Strange was the pick of the halves. Fagan and Rabone; played a very good back game, Fagan especially distinguishing himself. For Wanganui there was not that combination amongst the forwards in evidence last season, though Loftus, Harford, and Coe were conspicuoiis for good individual play. Itf the backs Campbell, as usual was safe, whilst Armstrong and Larking were quite' up to last year's form.