THE STICK GAME

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 124, 27 June 1929, Page 5

THE STICK GAME

MATCHES PLAYED IN HASTINGS. f RESULTS OF YESTERDAY 'S PLAY. In keen contests at Hastings yesterday afternoon United defeated Ramblers and Karori accounted for Diamond R. UNITED (2) v. RAMBLERS (nil). Oue of tlie best games seen in Hastings tliis season was tlie clasli yesterday between United and Ramblers. It was hockev with plenty of sparkle and conibination in it. Tlie United team under good coaching are now sliowing tlie promise of the end of last season. It was a game full of merit, with j the younger team holding just a trump too many for their opponents. United. winning the toss, sent tlie ball well into tlie Ramblers' territory, but an attempt to score proved bopcless. From tlie twenty-five bully tbe United forwarcls sent tlie ball well into the ruck and from a fast travclling ' ball Thomas put United oue up. Tbe reverse put tlie llambler for- i wards on their mettle, and from a real j bit of sparkling play plaeed the ball well into tbe circle, only to liave Heighway put in a good save. Play was now of an up and down nature, with the Yellows liaving sliglitly the better of matters. Gigg. for United, put in a nice sliot, but witbout luck. Ramblers ' from the bully off were now plaving a hard attacking game, but lacked the finishing touch of their vivals. Halftirne sounded with United pressing hard at tlie Ramblers' last line of defenee. The second lialf openecl in a sensational manner. AYitli only half a minute gone, Spurdle, following up well, sent in a screwing sliot from the wing and plaeed United 2 — Ramblers nil. Both sides were plaving good liockey, with McNab for United and Russell tor Ramblers showing out well. The Green forwarcls were now placing tlie ball well but with verv little swccess. only onoe getting past the full-backs, but Heigliwav proved safe and sent United away. only to be stopped by a penaltv for sticks*. At this stage two players collided and Spurdle was forcecl to leave his team a man sliort. Play from now on was of a very interesting nature, witli both sides trving hard to fmalise matters. On call of time tlie liall was in play with n°itlyer sicle liaving any advantage. United 2 — Ramblers nil. It was a hard fouedit matoh, with every man on botli sides r.taying lii-s liardest and best. Mr WLewis was the referee. Karori (4) v. Diamond Jl (2). From tlie bully off Diamond 11 presscd hani and kept the pacc going i'or a while. Play was liioving up and down field, until Jones scored a lucky goal for tlio YVhites. From the bully off Karori attacked liard, but were always driven back by tlie dogged defence of tlie Diamond R. Karori agam took the ball upfield, and wlien in a dangerous scoring position the ball was 1 played across tlie line and a penalty corner ensued. From tlio liit off the Diamond forwarcls swept upfield to the goal moutli. whcre. from a piece of ■ hard play, Boag scored a good goal for the colts. From the bully-off Diamond were at it again, but tlie Karori forwarcls c-aine to liglit with a piece of snappv work, and their efforts were rewardetl by Schroder scoring a good goal. Play till lialf-time was very raggecl. witli tbe YVhites tiring. KarQri 1 — Diamond R. 2. After tlie change-oyer Karori pressed hard and wero making matters interesting. Jones sbot a good goal, but was penalised for off-side. From a free hit Diamond took play downfield and were dangerous, but McRae saved. Play again movecl upfield, and from a piece of good combinecl play C. McKeo was very unlucky, but Fannin foliowed up and scored a beautiful goal. Play was now getting interesting, both sides putting- in some very hard work. Karori took play downfield, where Jones made a good attempt, but the ball went wide. Karori went to the &ttack again, where Jones put in some good work, and Schroder was very unlucky not to score. Schroder was again at it, but when in a dangerous position was penalised for giving sticks. _ Karori kept up the attac-k and their efforts were rewarded by Jones scoring a good goal. Stung by this reverse, Diamond R. livened up and took play to the Karori goal moutli, only to be sent back again. Karori made matters very nvely, but were sent back again by McDonald. Their efforts were rewarded when Jones sliot a good goal. Time was called soon nfterwards with tlie score: Karori 4— Diamond R. 2. Messrs 0. Greaves and A. Matthews controlled the game. For Karori, McTvee Bros., Fannin, Schroder and Jones were outstanding, while for Diamond R-. Jones. McDonald and Large were tlie pick.