HOCKEY.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1926, Page 1

HOCKEY.

HOCKEY TEST. WIN FOR INDIANS. [BT TELEGRAm - PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION. | CHRISTCHURCH, Julie 26. A crowd estimated at nearly 14,000 saw the Indian Army team defeat New Zealand by five goals to two in the first hockey test of the Indians’ tour. The weather was perfect and the ground in good order. The Now Zealand side, though by no means disgraced, did not hold the visitors so securely ns did the Canterbury Provincial team a fortnight ago. New Zealand were outwitted time alter time bv the clever stick play of the Army side, while the latter’s combined play was on a higher plane.

Fletcher, the New Zealand goalie, made some great saves with his feet. Soper and Perrin played well in the hack division, but the forwards were lacking in combination, particularly in tlie first spell. Butter fully justified his last-minute inclusion. In the. second spell, when Hie whole team went better, Butter did some brilliant stick work. In the individual play, Jacobsen went well until he retired with a leg injury. As to the Army players, thev wore all brilliant, Ilian (.'hand and Cox being the pick of the forwards. The interception of their halves, Frances ai d Alexander, proved the downfall of New Zealand time after time. India opened the scoring account. Dian (’hand receiving from Cox, and scaring with a push shot.. The second goal was scored by Belchaniher Irani a rebound off the Now Zealand goalie. Fletcher was again tested and effected a save from Cox, hot jtinn Chain! mdted. Dain Chain! scored the next goal on his own, going through the defe'-cc in amazing fashion. Now Zealand’s first score was registered by C. Watts, who came in but to pick up a transfer from S. Rail. The second spoil saw fast changes of play from end to end, both sides pressing hard for some time, till Bel! scored from a good rush, with a. beautiful shot,. The final sonro came a few minutes later, when Susainn Than, following in from a corner shot, netted the bolt.