HOCKEY.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 9 July 1920, Page 2

HOCKEY.

j OTAKI (1) V. EXCELSIOR (1). j I The above match, played for championship honours, took place at Lovisj ou Wednesday, when the spectators! were Heated to a hard and fast garni'. while many spectacular stunts wert I witnessed throughout. Levin had tJbi I best of the first half, but the play oi the Otaki backs was sound, and the defence remained unbroken. The onlj ( core of this spell was secured by the visitor!), who, by a fine rush, swept up the field and into the circle, whet Mick Giddens put iu a hot one that it was almost impo.ssil.de to stop. The second half of tho game was conspicuous by the play of the forwards, materially assisted by the backs. The latter ou both sides hit ivitb vigour, while the forwards endeavoured lo make the best use of each opportunity. Time and again each side attacked, and on several occasions the ball almost fouud the net. Twice Pink, tor Levin, hit the side, while Cook sent a nice one into the net, but was rulcil offside. Other iorwards also shot within an ace of the net. Levin finally scored, tho ball, after being missed by Otaki, found its way to Whitehou=.c, who was standing in front of the net awaiting his opportunity. It came and he scored, thus equalising matters. Thc.s the game ended. Messrs W. Bull and U. Nicolson were referees. For the home team Williams acd Whitehouso played splendidly iu the back division, and again and again saved, and it is safe to predict that had either had an "off day" tie laurels would have rested with Ota!:i. The Bell Bros, and Tuohy also put la solid work, and were seen to advantage. In the forwards Hopa spoilt hi*, play by his "bullocking" tactic:-. while tbe same also applies, but ia *. b-sscr degree, to Broughtoa. Claridge had a day off and was not seen at his best, but Pink and Fox, the colts of the vanguard, played great garner. For Otaki, Knox in goal had not a great deal of work to 40, but wh«u called upon did his duty. It was £0 .fault of that Levin scared. Patching and Ferguson also put in sound work, the former proving most reliable. The latter would have been better in the half division, and Batten at full. The latter put ia a lot of ioli'i graft. The same applies to G. Ayre, bat Fairley, although first-cias* at time*, wa?. not up te his usual form. The weak-ness-of the backs was in "speculating." The forwards ail played well, kept more to their pOSitidn«, but, at times, were too anxious when near tbe circle, and in consequence either mis'-ed or over-ran the ball. Cook fhowed improved form, while Lima proved a glutton, for graft. There w&s never an idle moment with him, and it was pleasing to see the way he stopped the ball. Adsett, Giddens, and Ayre also did well, and had hard luck ia cot scoringSHANNON (2) V. TT3I.CA.. (1). This match, played on the Levin ground, proved an open one, and after the spectators bad been treated to a lively hoar's play ended aa swore. The BJ3.A. team has disbanded, and members intend thro-wing la their tot with either Excelaihr or V.M.C.A. Mr Alez. Bill* has ck-cted £-•: secretary of the Otaii Club, and for a live sport will be _hs.fi t» beat.In view of tbe Hwromhenua-Mana-watn rep. football match on Satarday, it is probable that ai? hockey match*"for nszt lf r e«.ne«day Kill he •i&el*r«J off.