THE HOCKEY GAME

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 36, 14 July 1939, Page 8

THE HOCKEY GAME

WHAKATANE WINS BRIDGER SHIELD MATCH WITH RUATOKI The hockcy match at Ruatok'i against Ruatoki resulted in a draw, each team scoring one goal. C. Free scored for Whakatane in convincing style. _ Players who observed Free score with the reverse stick will be interested to know: that at one time when he was a representative in the New Zealand hockey team he was considered, on good authority to be a master at reverse stick goal shooting, in fact one of the finest in the Dominion Given a good level field, Johnson tlie left winger should prove himself a formidable player. He has pace, and good penetration. Unfortunately the rough playing grounds leave him ill at ease. The answer to this of course is quick release of the ball and hard hitting. A high light of the game was the solid defensive tactics of Hudson the fullback. Time and time again he. slogged the ball from a ruck in the circle to send it to the sideline, well up field. Timely; accurate kicking to save the goal showed that Phil Bar_ clay had his eye in. RUATOKISPECTACULAR ,For spectacular play the Ruatoki team is hard to beat. Each player is an adept at handling the ball on th;.> stick. They provide the thrills for the .spectators. Perhaps this may be said to be their only weakness. Thty are are individualists and therefore must sacrifice the solid team combination that is produced by the Why katane team which is a bullwark against the spectacular. The result of the B grade match between Whakatanc and Amua resulted in a win for the latter team by 2 goals to nil. Whakatane players will be notified on the hockey noticc board at the Central din'ng rooms as to whether a playing field at Poroporo will be available. The draw for Sunday is as follows: A team plays Ahuwhenua at Whnk.i. tane. B team plays Rangitaiki at Edgccumbc.