COLTS IN THE LEAD

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20254, 24 July 1937, Page 22 (Supplement)

COLTS IN THE LEAD

KAIPAKI A POINT BEHIND. VARIABLE HOCKEY MATCHEB. AOTEA PLAY DRAWN GAME. (By “ Left-half.”) Whereas the game between Kaipaki and Aotea was one of the brightest and fastest se'en at Hamilton hockey headquarters this season, that between Colts and Tokomaru was probably the dullest and slowest. The first match, which ended in a draw, each team scoring one point, was even and open throughout and some bright combination and individual efforts were seen. Colts beat Tokomaru by one goal to nil the game being devoid of all interest. Colts are now one point of Kaipaki. The championship tabic now reads

B. Baddley Turns Out. Last Saturday’s game between ! Technical Tokomaru and Colts, saw the return of B. Baddley, the well- j known South Auckland representative ] cricketer, to the hockey code. lie ! played the soundest game on the field, i Hard hitting, which was more in accordance with cricket tactics, proved i very effective and more than once he i put his side in a scoring position but i their tardiness deprived them of the advantage on almost every occasion. A fast follow up on the bail might have ! given Colts the decision by several ! points instead of by one. j Colts Lack Finish. Colts obtained a very undeserving, win ! over Technical Tokomaru on Saturday. Neither te'am showed any initiative and the winners lost chances of scoring on numerous occasions. At one stage of the' game they had a good chance of piling up the points, ‘ when they I forced their opponents back into#their , own territory, Wycherley obtaining the ball. His shot at goal was a very poor 1 attempt and he was beaten for possession, when lie' was having his third ; shot at getting it away. Twice in sue- ! cession Perrett failed to stop the hall 1 from corner shots and the goals were ; lost. Uninteresting Game. The most dull and interesting game i seen at Steele Park this season was i played* between Colts and Technical ' Tokomaru on Saturday. Both teams indulged In faulty stickworlc and poor combination while' their tactics generally lacked all the science of the game. Even Perrett and Cleave for Colts were off their games and J. Taylor and Snell- failed lo show the dash that usually characterises their play. Both goalies. McKinnon for Colts and Codinbes for Tokomaru, played fairly well, while Baddley also for Colts was very sound in defence.

[ Greaves Scores. I Colts only score against Technical ! Tokomaru came as the result of a bright piece of work on the part of Perrett. ll© beat Woodhall cleverly and handed on to Wycherley, who missed the opportunity to shoot. Rockell recovered and passed on to Curteis, leaving Greaves to pick up and score. This was the one bright spot in an otherwise dull game. Tokomaru were unable to score although they had a good many chances to net. Exciting Match. When Kalpaki and Aotea met on Saturday they provided one of the most exciting matches seen at Steele Park this season. The result was In doubt right up to the final whistle and during the final stages no one could have foretold the winners. The score, one all, was a true indication of the trend of play, for although it seemed that Aotea must score on several occasions there were other occasions when the country team seemed likely to be successful in the circle. A pleasing feature of the play was the manner in which both teams showed appreciation of team work, and, generally speaking, the game was the best this season in tills respect. Kalpaki have consistently shown good team work this season, hut on Saturday Aotea were their equals in this respect. Aotea at Their Best. Aotea were at the top of their form on Saturday and they made Kalpaki give of their best. Their positional play and team work were an improvement on recent games, and right through every man in the team pulled his weight. Bannin, as centre half, was again the mainstay of the team, and his experience, revealed by his understanding of positional play and his long clearing shots, stood Aotea In good stead. Aotea’s only weakness, their inability to make the most of their advantage in the cirole, was again apparent on Saturday, and if their stick work had been anything like accurate in the oircle they would have stood a very excellent chance of turning the tables on the country team. Their one goal was the result of a nice piece of play on the part of Hunter, their energetlo forward, who, after taking the ball through on his own, netted beautifully, his hard goaling shot giving Goodwin no ohanoe.

| Country Team Plays Well. ! Goodwin played another good gam< ; in goal for Kalpaki, despite his inex- ' perlence in this position. Cowley mad* his reappearance for the team in thf full back position and acquitted himself particularly well, his admirable defence nullifying the frequent Aotee ! attacks. Bones was particularly effecj tive on defence and combined wel j with his fellow halves. G. Boyd or i the outside was not as effective as h< 1 usually is, while Oddv on the othci I wing was not as conspicuous as usual ; but nevertheless both wingers player ' good games. The Inside men, Richard- | son, A. Boyd and Graham, had mucl: ; to do and did It well, their repeated thrusts In to Aotea's territory bringing them within striking distance of the goal on innumerable occasions. As was the case with their opponents their faulty shooting in the circle losl them certain goals. Forwards Work Hard. There was not a slacker in Aotea’s team on Saturday. Their forwards worked hard throughout and their success, to no small extent, hinged on the effective co-operation of their backs. Powdrill, Hunter and McKenzie comprised an energetic trio and they were always in the forefront of any attacking movement. Forster, on the outside, frequently made ground for his team and led the way for the bulk of the attacking movements, while the other winger, Speedy, was fast and combined well with the inside men. Clarke and Mangnall were a safe pair of full backs and comprised the main hindrance to Kaipaki’s attacks, while Linder in goal was an effective last line in the defence.

as follows:— r. w. L. . F. A. fts Colts Q 7 0 K'alpakl 9 r, 2 Aotea o 3 4 OM Boys 8 2 5 Tokomaru ... 9 l 7 16 33