HOCKEY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 9 May 1913, Page 5

HOCKEY.

THE SEASON OPENED

The Wairarapa Hockey Championship matches were commenced yesterday in ideal weather. At Lansdown© P. and T. played a draw with Excelsior, and Dalefield juniors defeated St. Matthew's juniors by 6 goals to one. Neither ga ne was characterised by any brilliant play, although tho former game was strenuous enough. The results were as follow: SENIOR.

P. AiND T. (1) v. EXCELSIOR (1). Fi-om the bully-off Excelsior attacked, and for a few minutes had P. and T. on the defensive, but were unable to penetrate P. and T's. defence. Play soon was transferred to the other end of the field, where the yellow forwards made several unsuccessful attempts to score. Midfield play followed, neither side gaining any appreciable advantage. The first spell was half through when th» first score came from a rush by the red forwards, which ended in A. Pragnell goaling for Excelsior. P. and T. liveaied up and kept the ball in their opponents' territory, Miller and Digging playing well. Several good openings were lost by over anxiety on the part of the yellow forwards. Just on the call of time Miller notched a good goal' for P. and T.. as the result of a nice pass from th& wing. The spell ended with the scores equal. The second spell opened tamely, with the game in Excelsior's twentyfive. P. ,ond T. were bent on scoring again, but the defence of Barr and Scrimgeour was too good, the former in particular playing exceptionally well. At this stiage Hanley was disabled, and play, was suspended for a time. Shortly after- this, Picton (Excelsior) got his head in front of the ball and was laid out for a time, but i-esumed after a short inteiTal. Towards the end of the spell, P. a-nd T. pressed, and sheer bad play prevented one or more scores. Hay, on the wing, wa s plainly out of his place, and missed sevaral chances, while Richards was in anything but good form. Several good rushes by the Excelsior men were nullified by the off-side play of Cook, who seemed to be everywhere but where he was wanted. Excelsior were unfortunate in being without the services of several of their team, but put up a good fight. Time -was called with the scores unchanged, which seemed to give everyone satisfaction. , .For Excelsior,'Barr stood out alone,- and saved his side re])eatedly, while Scrimgeour was also very safe. The forwards were weak, and too fond of the off-side game. P. iuSd" three good men in Burrows (goal), Williams and Clark, who played a sterling game. Hanley was off, but Miller and Biggins played well. Bf>+' sides will require "to show much improvement if they are to attain to championship honours, but as the m-atch was the first of the season, considerable improvement may be looked for. Messrs Gray and Wilkinson were the referees. JUNIOR.

DALEFIELD (6) v. ST. MATTHEW'S (1). This game needs little description, the Dalefield team, which would be well placed in the senior games, scoring when they liked. The heavy Dalefield boys just played with their diminutive opponents, who, although they scored one goal, never really had a chance. Dalefield should go through the season without a defeat.

CABLE NEWS

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph — Copyright.)