HOCKEY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2417, 4 February 1909, Page 2

HOCKEY.

CO-LONIALS • IN LONDON

In trying to uphold the reputation of New Zealanders as sportsmen, a .number of New Zealanders in don connected with various professions deckled some three years ago to form ..a club, which ever since its formation has been known as the Ivin Ora. Club. Although during the past two seasons the team met with very encouraging results, such fine combination and conspicuous individual .play as is being shown this season has never before .been achieved by them. It is noteworthy that- tlu> present season’s team lias no Jess than four players who used to play together for several seasons in the ■ Drapers’ senior team of Christchurch. As these players are well-known in the. South Island, .and further, as their individual .play is gaining mere admiration than in any one season they played in Christchurch, their many -friends will be pleased to know that they arc J. E. Dunstan and Charles Milne in the forward ranks, with H. Browning and Newman Hall in the. back division. Hall and Browning's strong defence has undoubtedly saved the team in every match, while Milne and Dunstan divided honors for securing tne majority of the goals. S. Jeff, of the New Zealand Farmers’ Club, of Christchurch, who is in the forward line, is also showing excellent form this season. The half line have a tower of strength in L. W. White, of Auckland, and C. A.

Ivessell, of Auckland and Napier, who represented Hawke’s Bay in 1906. Although they were not associated with any hockey clubs in New Zealand, A. MTtae (Wellington) and M. /Murphy (Auckland) arcshowing great promise of being firstclass exponents of the game -before the end o-f the season. Albert Wilson, a South Islander, generally accompanies. the team every week-end, and frequently referees. The colonials find the game much faster than in the colonies, but nevertheless they are always able to make the pace very warm for their opponents. Of nine matches played this season only one has been lost. that, result being entirely due to four members nee. reaching the ground in time, owing to the inconvenient and considerable distance from London. Matches with the team are eagerly sought, after, and in consequence the team have no vacant dates till after April, 1909. The only discouraging feature of the sport in London is that ail tingrounds are considerable distances from the great metropolis, and the' colonials regret that so- much clay-light is wasted in travelling. Mr H. Browning is returning to New Zealand in February next by the s.s. Asturias, and no doubt his many friends in Christchurch, particularly the Drapers’ Hockey Club, will be pleased to see him on the- hockey field next season.