HOCKEY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2268, 13 August 1908, Page 3

HOCKEY.

NELSON V. POVERTY BAY

LOCAL TEAM VICTORIOUS

The touring Nelson players paid a flying visit to Gisborne yesterday, and despitojtho inclement weather and the short time available on shore had a very pleasant game. The s.s. Victoria did not arrive until after 2.30 p.m. and the players were driven from the wharf to tho Domain and back again after tho game to catch tho fast launch at 6 p.m.

POVERTY'BAY 3 v. NELSON 2

The teams lined out shortly after 1 p.m. in drizzling rain, which continued pretty well all through tho game. The visiting skipper won the toss, and from tho bully-off Nelson assumed the offensive, hut were unable to penetrate the Poverty Bay defence. Dovle relieved the pressure with a nice nit to midfield, ami hero Olsen, tho local skipper wns conspicuous by means of some clever play. From n nicely timed pass by this player the Poverty Bay forwards worked their way to their opponents’ circle, where after some splendid combination Pino shot a lovolv goal. Even play followed from tho bully, neither side being able to claim much advantage. King, Lo Mot-tec, and Hurst indulged in a nice passing run, and tho latter with a nice shot boat l’ettio and drew level. Give and take play followed, Poverty Bay having slightly tho best of tho exchanges. Bright, who was playing a hard game, obtained tho ball near tho centre, and driving up the field followed up fast. A misunderstanding between Spear and Dee let him through and ho heat Ryder with a low swift shot, again giving tho local men tho lead. .No further scoring took place before half-time, when the scores .were—Poverty Bay 2, Nelson 1. Owing to the late start, thoro was no interval taken by the players, play being immediately recommenced on the teams changing ends. Shortly after the re-start, Bright again obained in midfield, and ended a brilliant run by scoring a lovely goal, after having successively passed four of the visitors. Two goals to the bad, the Nelson men played with great heart, and made strong efforts to score, tho half going behind on several occasions. Numerous penalties were awarded for slight infringements, and eventually Nelson attacked hotly, and from a scramble right in tho mouth of the Poverty Bay goal Manks drove the ball through the posts, reducing the lead of the local men to one goal. The game at this stage was fast and exciting, but darkness was rapidly closing in, and this spoiled the play t-o a large extent. The ball travelled lip and down the field at a great pace, but no further seoro was added, and the game finally ended— Poverty Bay ... ... 3 Nelson ... 2 The visitors were hardly at thenbest owing to the effects of their rather rough trip from Auckland. Hurs, Staples, Le Mottee, King and Spear were about the best of them, although the team, as a whole, showed excellent- combination. The local team was not as strong as anticipated, Burke and Brown replacing Coleman and Roderick, who were unable to play. Doyle, Olsen, Bright, Brown, Pine, and Tabernacle ill played in fine style for the local “reps.,” who on the day’s pla->- thoroughly deserved their win. Messrs Savage and Pavitt were tho umpires, wliilo Messrs Croudis and M. Doyle acted as line umpires.