HOCKEY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1263, 25 June 1914, Page 3

HOCKEY.

FOXTON A., 4, v. MOUTOA 1

Despite the bitterly cold wind that was blowing yesterday, quite a number of spectators turned out to see the Moutoa Foxton match at Moutoa. The previous match Foxton defeated Moutoa by two goals to nil, but the Moutoa backers were confident that on their own ground they would have sweet revenge. Their ground, by the way, is very bumpy and quite the worst in the district. O’Brien won the toss and elected to play with the sun—a big advantage as the ground is end on to the sun. From the bully-off Moutoa attacked and soon had the white backs in difficulties, to the great delight of the barrackers, who appeared to think that Foxton were already beaten. Soon, however, the local forwards took charge of the ball and quickly transferred play to the other end of the field. Give and take play followed, with Moutoa getting the worst of it. The onlookers were becoming restless as the home team had not shown any startling superiority. At this stage of the game Negus received a terrific bang on the knee and had to retire. Although the game had been going only ten minutes, Moutoa refused to allow a substitute as “the game had gone too far.” This was rather an unsportsmanlike action and showed how keen Moutoa were on winning. Negus came on the field again but was greatly incapacitated owing to his injured limb. Foxton had their blood up now, the halves sent the ball out to Baugheu, on the wing, who centered beautifully. McMurray took the pass but was ‘ too well marked so he sent it out to Bryant at inner. The Moutoa players were now bunched on the right so Bryant sent the ball across to Woodroofe, on the lett, who made no mistake and put Foxton in the lead with a nice shot (1 —0). From ‘the bully-off the whites again attacked, Baughen doing great work for his side, keeping McMurray well fed. The latter, however, was too well marked and was unable to score. A good rush by the Foxton forwards again drew the defence to one side leaving the left open. Again Woodroofe got the ball and Foxton were two up. Moutoa rallied desperately, but in vain. Some vicious play followed and the spectators hooted the referee for giving a free hit against Moutoa ; some of the local players too, suffered at the tongues of the crowd. It did not affect the play, however, for the next minute the forwards again had the ball down iu the Moutoa circle; Woodroofe was well marked this time but McMurray varied the programme by sending the ball to Bryant who registered Foxton’s third goal with a shot that gave the goal-keeper no chance. Moutoa tried hard to attack but soon found themselves back in their own circle, where Bryant with a quick shot, scored goal number 4. For the rest of the half Foxton pressed heavily but were unable to add to their score.

With the sun behind them Moutoa set out to even things up in the second half. The defence of the whites was too sure, however, the attacks merely resulting in futile corner hits and quarter ways. Now and again Foxton invaded their opponents territory, but as a rule they were content to play a defensive game. Well through the spell Moutoa scored their only goal, from a scramble. They had several more chances but could not make any use of them, the game ending, 4—l. Moutoa took their defeat very much to heart. It is rumoured that they have protested on the ground that Foxton played a B. man. Levin B.’s defeated Foxton B.’s—s—l on the local ground yesterday, and the Shannon ladies defeated the local ladies at Shannon yesterday by 3 to nil. Owing to the leading positions the Foxton A. and Moutoa teams occupy in the championship, yesterday’s game created a great deal of interest, and as anticipated proved to be one of the best games of the season. The association recognised the importance of the game by appointing two referees, each referee had to control one half of the ground. This plan worked admirably and should be followed in all important matches, Messrs Esther and Broughton controlled the game. It is regrettable that an element of roughness was introduced in the game and referees should put this down with a strong hand.