HOCKEY.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 4 July 1919, Page 3

HOCKEY.

. „ (. j TAINUI (2) V. EXCELSIOE (0). ! • The hockey match, Excelsior (Levin) j v. Tainui (Otaki), was played at Otaki ' on Wednesday, -when an even and ini (.cresting contc'st resulted. Owing to j the rough state of the ground, and also ; its slippery nature, the game was deI void of first-class play, hut,, nevertliewptp. nf.c'.asioiial cxliiliitions

less, there were occasional cxniuiuuiis tliat did players credit. Both sides | worked hard, but most of the play'W as *of an individual nature, combination being below the standard. In the first half Tainui frequently-attacked, and by a pi dee of smart play, in which young Tnhiwi was a shining light, L. Murray was enabled to beat the opposing goal-keeper and score.. This was the only score of the spell. Levin, in

the second half,-sot out with a/doter- [ mination to do better, and several shots at goal resulted. Tainui’s goal-keeper, j with the eye of an eagle and occasionj ally large slices of luck, saved in great style. Otuki, in turn, putt in offensive | play, and it was during one of these bouts that Kehu got a clear shot at goal. Although a remarkably easy task, he just managed (o secure the score, the ball rising almost on a level with the I i )lu -—or rather where a bar should have been. With two goals against them, Levin played hard, but the opposing backs were equal to the task, and staved oil' repeated onslaughts. The game thus ended: Tainui d, Levin nil. Messrs Harold Small and H. AicolI son were referees. A noticeable feature of the game was | the variety of jerseys worn by players. : They were of almost every conceivable | colour, which was not only disconcerting to players but to the referees, ami in future it would be just as well if clubs would see (lint I heir players appeared ia uniform out (its.

TE lIOKO (G) V. Y.M.C.A. (1). Despite exceedingly heavy showers of rain during the morning and enrly afternoon, the above match, played on (he Devin Recreation Ground, was a capital exhibition of hockey, being considered the best game seen on the Levin ground for some cu aside ruble time. Y.M.C.A. team included only two players of any experience (Vincent and Billons). Under the circumstances, they acquitted themselves very well, and, with more practice and a better knowledge of the game, should pfovc a good team. Te Hero hud a strong team, and guVc a good allround exhibition. They showed a much better knowledge of the game, and played with fair combination, while the forwards were keen when they came within the circle. Allen scored three goals, V incllcy two, and 1 itzgerald one, several others being missed by narrow margins. Clark scored tor the home team. The game was played in a most friendly- spirit. Messrs AV. Broughton and G. Isolde acted as referees.

jliucus;. NOTES. The To Iloro team of hockey players is to be commended on their enthusiasm in the game. On Wednesday last, , though a. fearfully wet day, fourteen men travelled io Levin in the hype of ; getting a game, and the club can always depend ou getting a full team. T’iiis is in marked contrast with the attitude of members of other sports clubs in this district, where a certain proportion are generally minus their fares when it comes to travelling. In all probability Mackenzie, tiic i Levin champion, will appear in hockey j matches in the near future. His inclusion in the Excelsior team should greatly strengthen'that club.