HOCKEY-

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18393, 29 July 1931, Page 3

HOCKEY-

KILLIP SHIELD SERIES. OLD BOVS WIN CHAMPIONSHIP. HINEMOA SHAPE WELL. By fighting out their match with Hinemoa to a draw at Steele Park on Saturday, Old Boys secured the necessary points to gain the Waikato Hockey Association’s championship, with which goes the Ivillip Memorial Shield. Old .Boys had a two point lead over Hinemoa on the competition ladder, and required to either win or draw to take the honours: Had they lost the game, tho two teams would have been level with fourteen points each, and a further deciding match would have been necessary. The two sides fielded their best for Saturday’s game, and were evenly matched in both the forward divisions and the rearguard. On the run of play Hinemoa showed better form and a superior combination. Over most of Die first spell they had the territorial advantage, and it was only the solid defence of Old Boys that kept the ball out of the net. At half-time Hinemoa were one up, as the result of a good effort by Latta, and early in Die second session Allsop increased the lead when he sent in a smart shot from close in. With the score heavily against them Old Boys came to the front, and for the remainder of the game they confined play in their opponents’ territory, the Hinemoa pack working at high pressure throughout. Soon after Hinemoa’s second goal Ilaverbier reduced the deficit when he netted from a melee in the goal-mouth, and not long before the final whistle Brough brought the tallies level with a hard

shot from an awkward angle. It was a bright, spectacular game and full of incident. Both captains used all the strategy at their command, and many well-timed ' movements were 1 initiated on both sides. ’ Old Boys have had only one loss 1 throughout the competition, and are known as first-class exponents of the game. In T. Ewan, their captain, they have a sterling leader, and one of the finest full-backs in the Dominion. He, with other members of the team, has represented Waikato for several seasons, and was a member of the North Island side last year. Hinemoa were defeated twice this season. They, too, aro known | l'or their open style of play, and have several well-known players in their ranks, some of whom have gained representative honours. The captain, R. Munro, is also a back of some merit, and knows every department of the game. In Hinemoa, Old 'Boys had worthy opponents, as the result of Saturday's match showed, and their next meeting, in the one-round competition to decide the Hooper Cup challengers, will be looked forward to with the anticipation of a keen tussle. Old Boy 3 Reviewed. Always a good man between the posts, M. West, Old Boys' goalkeeper, held the fort with distinction, saving some particularly good shots. He was kept busy In Iho first spell, but was rarely called upon after the Interval. 'The two full-backs, Ewan and D. Pountney were a tower of strength in the defence, although Pountney did not show ills usual form. Ewan played his usual consistent game, and was always a thorn in the side of the opposition. lie held up numerous Hinemoa movements and undoubtedly did much towards saving the day for Old Boys. Pountney showed occasional flashes of brilliance, and did useful work. C. Ross was the pick of tho halves. Right from the bully-off lie was in everything, and tackled solidly, intercepting several dangerous passes, and initiating somo good movements. Brough, though not outstanding, played a useful game, amt was particularly good In Die circle. He was responsible for one goal, and assisted considerably In bringing the scores level. Harcfield was willing, although often out of position, but be made the most of the chances offered him. An Injured hand hampered him considerably. On the wing, Craig played one of his best games this season, although mishitting spoiled one or two of ills efforts. lie is light and speedy, and followed up smartly, frequently breaking away on fast runs which gained much ground for his side. Slorry gave him plenty of assistance, and achieved considerable success , where the fray was thickest. N. Ross was well marked ,aml was never allowed to go far willi the ball, lie j played a far better game in tho second spell than in Die opening session. Davies, known as a prolific 6Corer, received a hard blow between Die eyes from a rising ball early in the second spell, and this somewhat checked him. Before lie was injured lie played an outstanding game, placj ing the hall where the team could ( make most use of it. •lust, before j the game ended lie had a shot at goal, ! tiie ball flying over the crossbar. ! ilaverbier, Die second winger,, played

his best game of the season. His stick work showed a big Improvement, as did his passing and receiving. The Hlnemoa Team. Perhaps the finest performance of the day was that of Keenan, in goal, When odds were heavily against him he cleared the ball out of the circle and saved several certain goals. At one stage the whole of the opposing pack were round him, but he turned the ball round the post, and eased a desperate situation. Hunt and Seal, the full-backs, gave a good account of themselves in both attack and defence. Qlunt used his speed to advantage, while Seal sent the 'ball far with his characteristic long hits. Luxton, Munro and Smith, the halves, combined well, and opened many promising movements. They were a dangerous trio, and achieved considerable success in all stages of the game . Monteith was a speedy wing, but did not get many opportunities. When he did gain possession he was hard to catch. He fed his inside men regularly, and was a useful man in the team, despite the faot that he has not played for some time. Lattn was one of the best of the forwards, and was always off the mark smartly, tackling solidly, and rarely fumbling the ball. Rogers showed pace and versatility and was the strongest link in the forward chain. He can always be relied upon as a tireless worker. The same applies to Allsop, who, in Saturday's game, scored a brilliant goal, and used his stick to advantage whenever an opening came his way. Andrews, on the wing, did his share of the work, and held up his end creditably, on the few occasions on which the ball came his way. BRIGHT, OPEN GAME. PIRATES’ GOOD WIN. LUCK IS AGAINST KAIPAKI. Although they occupied the minor positions on the table of championship points, Kalpaki and Pirates provided an exhibition that was both bright and Interesting, and on their play Kalpaki were unlucky to lose. The game ended with the score of four goals to two in favour of Pirates. Since the beginning of this season Kalpaki have shown considerable improvement, and, with the advantage of weight and physical fitness they offer formidable opposition. Although they were on the bottom rung of the ladder so far as points were concerned, they acquitted themselves well In their engagements, and with a little more training they should be equal to the best, as the coaches have the material on which to work. Pirates are a new club, but they have some old hands In their team, which is practically a combination of two now defunct clubs. In their leader, Vowless, they have a player who is well versed in every department of the game, and, in the fray, a hard toiler. He is one who can be styled a real enthusiast. Most of his men are young, in fact, their ago average is probably the lowest in the teams in the Waikato competitions, but nevertheless they play a good game. In Saturday’s match the two teams were evenly matched, and the scoring see-sawed until halftime, after which Pirates’ more effec’tive combination told on the opposition, and the score was increased on one side. Kalpaki often reached Pirates circle, but they coujd not finish off their movement cleanly, and thus lost most of the advantage gained. Pirates a Solid Side. Good work was done by Darrall,who was not allowed much rest in goal. lie cleared effectively, and was rarely caught napping. Clark and Richards were strong links in the rearguard, and did their full share of the work. Richards displayed occasional flashes of brilliance, while Clark used a powerful stick to send the ball nearly the length of the field on several occasions. Molloy, while not outstanding, rendered valuable assistance in the halves, and tackled soundly. Vowless, as usual, was a tower of strength and seemed to be everywhere at once. lie is a solidly built, but is fast and elusive. Curteis, a junior player who took the place of a missing man, was the most useful man on the ground. Combining speed with good stick work, he played a vigorous game, and, besides scoring a goal, was primarily responsible for at least one more. It would be hard to individualise the forwards, for one and all tolled well throughout. Gurney played a useful game in the defence, and was not afraid to tackle. 'Pryce was well up to his usual standard on the wing, and kept his Inside men supplied whenever possible. Darlington was an effective pivot, and was often In the thick of it. Powdrlll did not show his customary snappy style of play, but did his share of the work when called upon. Carter gave one of his best performances to date', showing up prominently in' every attack. Some Promising Playors. Smlllie gave an excellent account of himself as keeper of the citadel, and his powerful clearing kicks were a feature of the game. He is a safo custodian. Useful work was done by the two full-backs, Turnwald and P. Bones, who were always in the picture, and combined

effectively to plaoe Kaipakl on attack more than once. J. Tarr kept his eye on the ball and .whenever it came his way he made the most of the opportunity. He did not attempt anything: too big, and kept his inside men well red. J oil, the captain, played the type of game that a leader should play. 'He showed keen judgment in placing the ball, and could be depended upon to tackle solidly. W. Goodwin, the other half, was a tireless worker, and to him Kalpaki owed much of their success in attack. C. Bones was a speedy and reliable winger, and made more openings than any other Individual player in the team. With a little more coaching he should become a player worthy of representative honours. At present he does not use his stick as much as could be. Kivell was another strong link In the forward division. He has shown up well this season, and is a promising young player. W. Tarr led several clever movements, and persevered well in a hard game. Boyd, a junior player, filled his place in the forwards with distinction, and put in some useful work. H. Goodwin, the second winger, handled well, and his runs down the line furnished some of the brightest incidents of the game.