DEFEAT OF WAIKATO

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20888, 21 August 1939, Page 12

DEFEAT OF WAIKATO

NEW ZEALAND HOCKEY AUCKLAND WINS SHIELD GAME THREE GOALS AGAINST ONE (Special Representative) AUCKLAND, Sunday Waikato's 13th challenge for the New Zealand Hockey Shield failed against Auckland oil Saturday, the holders winning by 3 goals to i in the match played at Auckland. The ground was soft but the weather was fine. In the first half the play was fairly scrappy, Auckland leading at halftime by 1 goal to nil. Waikato had an equal share of the play but the attacking movement lacked finish. Brighter hockey was seen in the second half, Waikato finding combination first. At one stage, the challenging team had more than an even chance but Auckland settled down in the closing stages and put decision beyond doubt. For Waikato the only goal was shot by T. A. Ewan and l’or Auckland R. Houghton (2) and Rowe were the scorers. W. Smillie, the goalie, played a great game for Waikato and I). Pountney gave a good exhibition at fullback. Chand made a promising debut for Waikato and Hoff and McKinnon were also prominent. Initial Attack Playing into the sun, Auckland won the initial bully and carried the play right to the circle. Once the ball hit the goal frame and twice Smillie cleared brilliantly but the pressure on the goalie was maintained until Ewan potted the ball to the attack. Fast exchanges distributed the balance of advantage. Auckland's outside right, Armstrong, was accurately carrying the Auckland attack and Smillie's task became difficult when Wyatt hit a glorious stroke to pass the goalie but a sticks infringement mitigated the chance to goal. After a temporary reverse against Auckland, Jones, Watson and Wyatt controlled the ball in good combination and when the circle was reached Hough tun beat Smillie to register the first goal in favour of the shield holders. Hepeatedlv Burns saved for Waikato with powerful strokes and Jenkins was finding Ewan with well-directed hits but, after carrying play to the Auckland circle, the Waikato forwards fumbled and seldom in the first half was Anderson, the Auckland goalie, really tested. Waikato Attacking In the later stages of the first spell, Waikato gave the Auckland defence a torrid trial with a well-maintained barrage near the circle but- Clark’s fullback defence was sound. After a complete reverse by Auckland Greenbanks, with a high clip, was unlucky not to goal. Again Waikato turned the run of play into a movement of attack in its favour. When Auckland came back, an infringement in the circle gave the holders a corner, and a determined scramble in front of the goal showed Smillie to be a good goalie, in the spell, Auckland secured three more corners and, although the shooting was not the best, Simillie still proved an impenetrable barrier and at the spell, Auckland still led by the only goal of the game. Although facing a setting sun, Waikato attacked first upon resumption, and, with Hoff centring brilliantly, the attack was pursued with vigour inside the circle, but the challengers could not maintain the effort. it was little time before Waikato was on the attack again, and a scrummage developed in Auckland’s circle. Several players endeavoured to hedge tlie ball into the net, and finally Jenkins sent it sciinming past Anderson, but a penalty nullified the shot. Two Up After the pressure had been maintained, Hoff swung his stick to the bail and the shot hit the post. From Forster the ball came inside to Burns, who gave control to the Waikato forwards for a rally in the goalmouth, which Greenbank broke up with brilliaut clearing. Floyd was mainly responsible for reviving the Waikato attack which cul--1 minated in two penalty corners for obstruction, but Auckland cleared. Anderson got his pads in front of a shot by Ewan. In a flash the venue of play switched in Auckland’s favour, and the superior finish of the home team's combination was evident when the ball reached the circle with the Waikato players all out of position and Broughton shot a great goal: Auckland 2, Waikato 0. Four Auckland infringements in the circle for obstruction put Waikato definitely on the attack. Finally Ewan put his full force behind the ball and shot between Anderson’s legs fur a fine goal: Auckland 2, Waikato 2. Goalie Injured Waikato had its turn on the defence during the succeeding Jive minutes, then the forwards broke clear and only I tie brilliant work of Anderson cleared the barrage. When Auckland ran to the attack again Smillie gave a double display of brilliant clearing. The barrage was maintained and Rowe shot another goal for Auckland. Only two minutes of play remained when Smillie was hit and replaced. Harvey took the field with Pountney, unguarded, playing goalie. The match ended with the scores unchanged. Messrs F. Craig and G. Wells umpired. FIJI TEAM BEATS PROVINCE CLOSE GAME AT AUCKLAND (Special to Times) AUCKLAND, Sunday A solitary goal scored in a sensational manner from a penalty corner in the first five minutes of play gave victory to the Fiji hockey team against the Country representatives in the final match of its tour of the Auckland province at Auckland on Saturday. The game, while not marked by many high lights of hockey, whs stubbornly contested at a very fast pace. The circle work of both teams lacked penetrating power, and there was a tendency to try to score by follow-in methods, rather than with crisp hitting shots. This led to much

close, confused play in the circle. The visitors’ half line- work produced keen tackling, and the fullbacks offered a stubborn defence, while their clearing shots were crisp and well directed.