BETTER HOCKEY

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20499, 16 May 1938, Page 13

BETTER HOCKEY

STANDARD IN HAMILTON COLTB SECURE NARROW WIN AOTEA DEFEAT TOKOMARU A better standard of play in the Hamilton Hockey competitions was witnessed at Steele Park on Saturday. Indications pointed to a highly successful season with the teams running very close for competition honours and if the present high order can be maintained some interesting games should be witnessed. Colts again look like a difficult team for the others to contend with and their display on Saturday was not lacking in science, while Aotea, who defeated Tokomaru by a wide margin, will have to be taken into account. Kaipaki, who went down to Colts, need to improve a good deal, which no doubt they will do, as they have the material available. The junior games again attracted a large following and some excellent play was witnessed.

COLTS WIN AGAIN

KAIPAKI TEAM DEFEATED CLOSELY FOUGHT CONTEST Old Boys Colts repeated their performance of the previous week by defeating Kaipaki on Saturday by one goal to nil in a closely fought contest. The standard of play on both sides was exceptionally high for the beginning of the season, but the winners displayed a better finish In their attacking movements than did their opponents, while on defenoe they gave a brilliant exhibition. Perrett particularly was outstanding for Colts, while the Boyd brothers showed that good form for whioh they were notable last season. Smillle, the All Blaok goalie, was off form owing to an injury to his back, but he managed to save Kaipaki on several times. The teams -were:— Colts.—O'Hara, Clark, Rockell, Badcook, Harvey, Clough, Curteis, Cleave, Perrett, "L. Goodall, WycherleyKaipaki.——Smillle, Boyd, Farrell, Dunwoody, Richardson, McCarthy, Oddy, Graham, Boyd, Hogan, Boyd. Thirty seoonds after the whistle Colts were within the Kaipaki oirole and Perrett made a shot at goal, the ball Just falling to find the mark. The same player a. few minutes later executed another brilliant piece of work in an attempt to place his team on top, but the ball passed Just outside the posts. Kaipaki Nearly Soore Kaipaki forced their opponents out of the danger zone and G. Boyd took possession only to he held up by Rookell after a great Individual run, when Clark took possession to put Colts on the attack onoe more. The visiting team came close to scoring shortly afterwards, hut the Colts' forwards put up such splendid opposition that the position was soon retrieved. Again Kaipaki had the territorial advantage, A. Boyd and G. Boyd giving them a good deal of trouble. The visitors made a number of attempts to cap suceeisfully their movements but their play lacked the finish necessary on such occasionsAn easy chance to soore was offered Colts when Badcbck cleared from a Kaipaki penalty and supported by Perrett and Wycherley, carried play upheld before sending out to Curteis. The winger missed his chance and the. ball went behind. Perrett was on the scene, however, soon afterwards when he beat Smillle with a lightening shop, opening 'Colts’ score. More Aggressive A more aggressive attitude was adopted by Kaipaki in the second half when they were almost continually on the attack, but their play never proved fruitful. Led by Richardson they assumed the offensive from the start, but Clough, with fine relieving shots, kept them continually at bay. Perrett also figured prominently with clever clearing shots from in front of the goal. Towards the end, play travelled from end to end of the field with neither team gaining any real advantage. The forwards wore a considerable factor in giving Colts victory and. while they continued to operate successfully Kaipaki showed no sign of improving their position- The game ended with Colts leading by one goal to nil.

Messrs F. L. B. Craig and J. Coe were the umpires.

AOTEA’S EASY WIN

DEFEAT OF TOKOMARU HIGH SCORING MATCH Although play was ragged at times, the match between Tokomaru and i Aotea was saved by the occasional j quick exchanges of bright, individual ! play. The game was a high scoring one. no fewer than 12 goals being recorded. Although Aotea won comparatively easily by 0 goals to 3. they did not. have things all their own way. for determined forward rushes by the losers frequently pierced their defence. Both teams played one man short. The teams were: — Aotea.: Goombes, Beale. Magna-11. A. Jenkins. L. Jenkins, Forster, Hunter. Powdrill, Hoff. Matuschka. Tokomaru: Puck, Woodhall, Wilson. McKenzie, Bowler, Lipsey, Snell, Sage, Mellor, Speedy. Aotea secured an parly lead for their forwards stormed the circle and broke through the opposition. The first goal came from Hunter’s stick, and this initial success was quickly followed by goals registered by Forster, Powdrill. and another by Hunter. giving Aotea a lead of four goals within the first few minutes of play. Further Ahead Aotea’s fifth goal came when Hun- j ter. who had participated in a brisk forward rush to the circle, caught, the I goalie unawares and sent the hall into • the corner of the net. Tokomaru were not -slow to retaliate. >ne!l tak- ; ing the hall down Hip centre and co- j operating with Sage to bring play to ; the circle. Coomhes. in goal, failed to get the hall away cleanly and Sage ! had no difficulty in sending one past . him for Tokomaru’s first goal. Speedy, with a good run down the I left flank, brought Tokomaru baok to 1

the circle, but the opposing fullbacks temporarily relieved the pressure. However, Tokomaru were not to be denied, and Snell, opening his shoulders to a shot on the fringe of the circle, sent the ball through to the boards. A melee in front of Tokomaru’s goal was taken advantage of by Hunter, who notched another easy goal to make the score 6-2 in Aotea's favour. Tokomaru Attaok Tokomaru re-arranged their team at the interval, Speedy going into the halfback line. A vigorous forward onslaught saw’ Aotea forced back to their circle, where Sage made the most of a good opportunity to increase his team's tally with a good goal. Aotea then launched a series of attacks and hammered away at Tokomaru’s defence for the next few minutes. However, good work on the part of the custodian, Puck, and the fullbacks kept them out. Hoff showed plenty of pace to break through the defence, smashing a hard one to the net that gave Puck no chanceAotea kept up the pressure, Hunter and Powdrill heading a willing forward rush to the goal. Puck stopped a hard shot, but Hunter’s stick connected with the rebound and the ball went Into the net for Aotea’s eighth goal. A whirlwind attaok saw Aotea further Increase their lead. Powdrill goaling beautifully before Puck could recover from a previous attack. The game endad with Tokomaru attacking and the score: Aotea 9, Tokomaru 3. Messrs F. B. L. Craig and J. W. Coe were the umpires. Junior Results The following were the results of .junior hockey matches played on Saturday:— Section A—Kaipaki 2 Ruakura 2. Old Boys 6, Arawa 2. Tainui 1, Hinemoa 1. PLAY AT MORRINSVILLE THAMES TEAM DEFEATS PIAKO (Special to Times) MORRINSVILLE, Sunday A Thames Hockey Association ladles’ team visited. Morrlnsvllle on Saturday and defeated Plako ladles by 2 goals to 0. Misses M. Lang and J. Miller scored for Thames.