HOCKEY.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 22 September 1910, Page 2

HOCKEY.

REPRESENTATIVE MATCH

MANAWATU (4) v. HOROWHE-

•NuA (1)

The representative match betwoen Manawatu and Horowhenua took place yesterday at the Show Grounds, Palmerston North. The Manawatu team was, on the whole, a. thoroughly representative one, but Horowhenua. were minus the services of several of their best men. Horo, who is one of the best players in the county, was unable to turn up, and his place was taken by Henderson, who showed up excellently. Judd took the place of Noble, Giles the place of Hughes, and ]i.asth©r was a fine substitute for Rands. Tho weather was extremely unpropitious. A strong gale blew from the west, and rendered play not only difficult, but placed science out of the question. On one occasion no less than four Horowhenua players missed striking the circle in succession, and let in the opposing forwards, who, as a result, scored. One of the homo team had tho misfortune to fracture h ; s collarbone, but a substitute was found to take his place. Tho visitors forwards did a lot of good work in tho first half, Giles and Griffiths showing up splendidly. Howe was seen to great advantage in goaj throughout the game. Ho staved off a number of telling shots, and when ho was beaten he was beaten by shots that would have defied the best custodian. Allan gave a fine display at back, and stopped a number of dangerous rushes. Smart played with his usual tact, and proved himself to be one of the best hockey halves in the county. Vincent put in a lot of good work in the first half, but the terrific, winds in the' second half apparently somewhat nonplussed him. Father led his men on in excellent style, and infused all his customary dash into a somewhat, sloppy game. During the first half play was of an even nature, Horowhenua having . very good show of tho game. But the home team showed up in front of goal, and through Fitt and Crump scored twico, the result at half-time being Manawatu 2, Horowhenua 0. On the resumption the visitors at once pressed, but nothing transpired. Subsequently tho visitors left broke away and got in some neat work, but were pulled up, and the circle returned to mid-field. An attack upon the visitors goal was smartly interceptly by Smart, and Easther getting possession, passed to Henderson, who put in a rapid run, but his centre was failed to he taken advantage of, the high wind absolutely interfering with judgment. Then the home team broke away, and y ebb initiated a fine run, which culminated in Howe stopping a couple of vigorous shots in the course of a melee in front of his charge. A temporary break away by Horowhenua. was followed by a- warm assault upon the visitors citadel, and as the result of four Horowhenua men missing the ball Fitt got through and scored, a third goal. Horowlionua were aroused by this reverse, and immediately took up the attack. Henderson sent in a splendid shot, hut the ball was immediately returned, and ■ Smart saved under difficulties. A minute later Allan stopped an ugly rush, and in the ensuing rush Vincent robbed an oownent, and swiped the circle up field. A lot uninteresting plav followed, both goals being visited in turn, but the high wind put players completely out of coar, and nothing worthy'of mention transpired. This state of things was followed by a merry outbreak by the home forwards. McGregor passed to Crump, and Crump transferred to Webb, who made no mistake. and sent the hall into the net with lightning rapidity. The custodian had no chance whatever. The bullv resulted in Fasther, Vineent_ and Henderson making an incursion into the home 25, but nothing resulted, and again tho home forwards, who we re always on tho alert, broke away, and wore looking extremely dangerous when Allan broke up the combination. This ed to a change of venue, and led by Easther tilie Horowhenua forwards spurted up the field, and their were at last rewarded by Griffiths, got a fine goal. The visitors again attacked, and a shot by Easther went outside. Immediately afterwards the circle wont to tho other end, the home forwards showing much cohesion, but Allan was a tower of strength at back, and l Howe was almost invulnerable in goal. During the closing stages of the gsime tho ball uuctuated from end to end though the homo team had the bettor of the exchanges. Tliei) forwards showed un better in the 25, but their shooting was erratic— a state of things due no doubt to the heavy weather. There was no further scoring, and the game resulted as above indicated. Mr Warden officiated as referee.