MEN’S HOCKEY

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 188, 6 May 1940, Page 12

MEN’S HOCKEY

Opening Of Season In Wellington KEEN, FAST MATCHES The men's hockey season opened in Wellington on Saturday. Rain during the day affected the grounds to a certain extent, but some fast, keen matches were seen. For the first games of the season the standard was good, specially as many of last year's senior hockey players were not competing, many having enlisted. Karori 1 and Technical drew, University beat Karori 11, Hutt and Huia drew, and Wellington beat Wesley.

Karori 12, Technical 2.—ln a keen, hard game Karori 1 drew with Technical at Karori Park. Though tlie game was thrilling, the standard of play was not high, as is to be expected for the first competition matches of the season. Both teams lacked finish and tlie combination among players was poor. Many of Karori's team of last year are not playing tills year, but with more practice the teams should develop into as formidable a combination as it was last season. The early part of the game was keen, but even. XV allace, for Technical, was first to score. Karori scored next, then Pryters scored for Karori again. Adams netted the last goal for Karori. University 3, Karori II 1. —Tlie second Karori team was weakened by some of its players lining transferred to tlie first team. University had also lost some of their plavers. but put up a better showing. Lack of finish was the main reason for the defeat of Karori. The forwards combined well, but their efforts were nullified through lack of tinisli and the sound play of the University left back, R. Kirkham, and the left half, G. Whitham. In the early stages of the game Karori had the advantage, but University took up tlie attack later 8. Braithwaite. Cole and Scott scored for University and Jenkins for Karori.

Hutt 2, Huia. 2.—The Huia match at Hutt Recreation Ground was fast and of good standard. After a strong attack by the forwards in tlie early stages of the second spell, Frazer, inside left for Hutt, scored the first goal. Mullins, centre forward, improved the Hutt total. Huia took the attack, Cook scoring and Searle, a Huia forward, shot the equalizing goal. Hutt led most of the attacks, but the sound defence of the Huia backs smothered the rushes. Wellington 5, Wesley 2. — Wellington beat Wesley at Nai Nal after a hard game. Wesley put up a fairly stiff resistance, but lacked co-operation in the forwards, and were unable to stand the pace. Their right wing. R. Hurren, was prominent at times, as was their centre forward, D. Bade, who scored one of the goals. P. Snowden, Wesley’s other scorer, played a good, steady game, but was unfortunate in receiving a nasty blow on the leg early in the match. Wellington forwards combined well, their rushes being by far the more dangerous. Clever stiekwofk by F. Coleman, left wing, was responsible for the movements which resulted in two of Wellington’s goals. J. Quiiilum and L. Wellum each scored twice and L. Ferguson once. Dower Grades. Lower-grade results were: Senior Bl: Huia 2, Hutt 2; Karori 4, Island Bay 2; Wellington 7, University 1. Senior B2: Huia 4, Karori 4; Training College 5. Wesley 1. Junior: Huia 2, Hutt 2; Technical 1 4, University 0; Technical 2 8. Warriors 0; Wellington College 6, Wellington 2. Third: Knox Rangers 3, Karori 1; Technical 2, University 2; Wellington College 0.8. 3, Warriors 1: Wesley v. Training College to be played later). Fourth: Wellington College 6, Wellington 3. Fifth; Technical 2 won by default from Wellington College 1; Wellington College 2, Rongotni College postponed; Karori 4, Wellington College 3. Intermediate: Huia 10, Karori 1; Technical 1, Wellington College 2 0. IN OTHER CENTRES Christchurch: Selwyn 5, Redcliffts 3; Sydenham B 3, Sydenham A 0; Trinity 4, Varsity 3.