HOCKEY.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 15 August 1919, Page 3

HOCKEY.

TAINUI (3) V. OTAKI (2). The Otaki Domain presented an anir mated appearance on Wednesday, the ; occasion of a championship hockey match, Tainui v. Otaki. Spectators were present in numbers,, and ■ the leather-lunged fearrackcrs fairly let themselves loose. The game was a hard one, and every yard was stubbornly contested, but tho heavy g'-cund was the means of making play slower than would otherwise have been the case. Shortly after the start Kcliu found the net. for Tainui after which Giddcns equalised matters by placing the ball .between the uprights. Front this onward play became of a very determined nature, but despite sound defence Kehu again scored, and the spell ended Tainui 2, Otaki 1.

Tlie second half saw a deal of good play, each and every player grafting as never before, but it was fairly woll on in the game before Tainui's defence wits~'brokon and Adsett scored. With the game even every effort was put forward to plaee the winning shot, which eventually fell to Tainui’s good fortune, Bowden, amidst applause, gaining ithe honour. Otaki, however, relaxed nothing, and endeavoured in strong measures to even the score. They, however, failed, and Tainui were declared victors, 3-2. Messrs Remana ami Xicolson were referees.

Otaki. though beaten, played a splendid game, and made but few mistakes. Their play was much above mediocre, and every member played creditably. C. Ayre and .Slade were the pick of a fine set of backs, while Giddcns and Adsett were probably the pick of the forwards. Bowden, Ferguson, and Kehu played solidly for the winners, their trickiness time and again standing them in good stead. Their hitting, due to the ground, was not a strong point, but on all occasions they stopped well, and showed a thorough knowledge of the game.

Excelsior defeated Y.M.C.A. at Levin on Wednesday by 9 goals to nil. A hockey match will be played at Otaki to-morrow between Te Horo and Convent School boys.