HAMILTON HOCKEY

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20270, 12 August 1937, Page 14

HAMILTON HOCKEY

DISAPPOINTING PLAY. KAIPAKI’3 CLOSE CALL. EASY WIN FOR AOTEA. Play In both senior fixtures in the Hamilton hockey competitions on Saturday was disappointing and was below the standard that has been set in previous matches this season. Generally speaking, the standard of play has been higher this year than for the past several seasons and the various teams have been fortunate in the calibre of their new players. It is now apparent that this season’s championship will go either to Colts or Kaipaki, but with both Aotea and Old Boys both capable of lowering the colours of the two leading teams the issue is still open. Poor Standard. The game between Tokomaru and Aotea on Saturday was one of the most disappointing matches of the year as far as the standard of hockey was concerned. Both teams were disorganised by the absence of players, Aotea having to play with one man short and Tokomaru having to field several junior players. Except for a spell in the second half, Aotea were on top throughout llie match and at no time did Tokomaru look likely to win. The most successful player for Tokamaru was Powdrill who scored 3 of his team’s five goals and who led the forwards frequently into the circle. Hunter was another prominent member of Aotea’s vanguard and he availed himself of every opportunity, scoring the other two goals of the 'total tally. Individually, the Tokomaru players played well, but there was no cohesion in their play with the result that most of their movements broke down before reaching tho circle. Narrow Margin. A draw would 'have been a better Indication of the trend of play in the Kaipaki-Old Boys match which was won by the country team by the one goal of the match. Kaipaki scored their goal In the closing stages of the match, but Just on the final whistle Old, Boys swept in an irristible rush to the circle where they netted. However, a player was ruled offside and the goal was disallowed, the final whistle being sounded before Old Boys could press homo their advantage. However, Kaipaki played well nnd held the territorial advantage for a fairly long spell in the second half. The game itself was not up to the standard of previous matches and combination was lacking. Both Sutherland and Goodwin were safe in goal for Old Boys and Kaipaki respeotivcly, while it was difficult to fault the back line of either team. The Australian Tour. With twelve games played on the Australian tour it is interesting to seo how some of the players have fared. W. Smillie, the Waikato goalie has played in every match, while the Aucklanders, F. Clark, L. Watson and S. Robertson have each participated in ten. 1,. Best (Nelson), M. Browne (Wellington) and O. Dey (Otago) are next on the list with nine games each in their credit, and B. Brown (Wellington' and D. Loader (Canterbury) have played in eight matches. A. Mahoney (Hawke’s Bay), T. Burt.t (Canterbury) nnd D. Pountney (Waikato) look part in seven matches, while 1,. Monteith and R. Houghton (Auckland!, who were both laid, aside for several games through injuries, have played In five. On July 27 the tourists played rpswlch on a heavy ground which favoured their style of play. One of the best games to date, the outstanding features were the accurate passing from barks to forwards and tiie latI tor’s deadly accuracy in the circle. The I inside forwards combined well and the clover anticipation of I tie halves fre - ouently frustrated the local attacks, i The final score was 4—l in favour of j New Zealand. ! Match Against Toowoomba. Two days later Hie team met Tooi -vonmbu and won again by 4 goals to Play in this match was always in- ‘ rs eli Ing a masterj I>’ exhibition of positional play and eh'\i'r passing movements. The halves

Robertson at centre giving a faultless display. In the second half New Zealand incessantly bombarded the local goal and their custodian, L. Proud, was the hero of the match, playing as one Inspired. It was only his wonderful display between the sticks that kept the score so low. Another day’s rest then out again for the match at Warwick. Here again play moved quickly from end to end during the flr?t spell with neither side able to press home the advantage. However, New Zealand gained the ascendency in the second and their aggressive tactics produced the final score of 4—o. F. Clark, one of the full-backs, exploited the ‘‘offside’’ rule to perfection, nnd his ability | to manoeuvre the local forwards into the trap was a revelation to spectators nnd players alike. ’ p