HOCKEY.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 15 September 1910, Page 2

HOCKEY.

XOPiTH V. SOUTH

A ma tali between the North End and the South of Horowhenua County was played at Otaki yesterday. The line weather attracted a large number of spectators. Unfortunately both teams were not fully represented, the North in ■this respect being severely handicapped. Consequently the game was robbed of much of its interest, Owing to the- absence of selected, players, the composition of the teams underwent radical alteration, and the players being new to their places failed badly at times in the way of combination. Vincent came on late, and as usual he put a lot of good work in; Smart was reliable at half-back 1 , while Alien proved a tower of strength at back. Wilson led his men on merrily, and Howe, whose accustomed position is goal was responsible for some useful work among the- forwards. Among the attacking section Gardener was particularly brilliant. A little more passing o"n his part would possibly inprove his statue, l)ut with yesterday's disorganised team passing would not hare been of very great utility. His individual runs were exceptionally good, and he came in for a lot of commendation from the spectators. Kasther was to have been bully lor the North, but he was suffering from an attack of fever. He, however, accompanied the team to Otaki, and when it was seen the eleven were short he decided to play goal. Throughout the game he played, with rare dash, but it was obvious he was .badly indisposed. .Several of his saves were brilliant ones, and at times he was wannlv applauded by the crowd. Play ruled oven at first, both sides having a look in, till Russel got the ball awny and Bright had a shot at goal. Boss got the circle away when things wore looking awkward*'. Shortly afterwards Bright had another unsuccessful not at the uprights. _ Then Gardener broke away with a fine individual ran, and on the other wing Henderson put in a fine sprint, hit nothing transpired. Howe sent in a. good shot and then the South forwards ibrokc away and swooped down on Easther, who Inouglit off a fine save with the whole of the forwards on him. [Eventually Allen .got the ball away, but play again returned to Easthod-'s quarters, where Griffiths .shot outside. Wilson and .Smart subsequently worked the hall upHeld, and getting possession, initiated a capital sprint, but his pass was intercepted by Freeman. Then Vincent broke up an ugly rush, and a minute later i3o«, ■who was showing some good sive tactic"' Kwiped the ball up the field, and! Gardener easily u.t stripped his opponents and ciiino within an inch of scoring. As a result of a combined passi ig uin.e South attacked strongly, mid Easther saved twice in rapid tures'■>vn. Ultimately, hotvjvj)-, Giles got through, and scored. At linlf time South were bid' by one goal to nil.

lininediatoly on tlie rosiimption, tlie Northerners took up tlie attack. Henderson and his partner puttiiiK in sonic pretty wing work. A break-away by the home forwards caused some anxiety at the ether end, hut Allen put plenty of timber behind the ball, and 'the visiting forwards, ably assistod. by Smart, took up tihe winning. Gardenor was with a s<K)d run, and Wilson .sent in a hot shot, which, however, was safely nogotimloil. At tlie other end dinr./ng a warm Rpru.inmage Gardener received a severe Mow, which laid' Jiini tomix>rarily ihors do «)inbat, but 'ho was soon in harness .again. From time to time the -Southerners .piessotl,_ l/ut tlieir visitors were now having the better of matters, and wiiat they lacked in combination tboy made up for in hard and decisive bitting. After a vigorous onslaught, Wilson drew blood, and placed tlie teams on an equality. Housed by this reverse, tho home men mfused a Jot of dash into their play, but they found Vincent, and Allen equal to all emergencies, while Jvasthon was safe "between the posts. Once when tilings looked awkward, Smart relieved tho tension and Ho.ss Whitehouse sent the ball flying up-field. Try as they could' neither team was able to make any further impression on tho respective defences, and the jiaino ended in a draw. Mr H .Nicholson controlled the game