Inter-College Hockey

The game played between Massey College and a representative Victoria College team at Massey College last Wednesday resulted in a win for the home side by three goals to two. On a somewhat rain-sodden ground, fast play provided an exhibition of exciting hockey. The Massey team excelled in the forward line and demonstrated [unclear: rat] the best defence la attack. Lawrey [unclear: at] centre-forward gave a splendid display of brilliant anticipation and speed. The men on his left, Shand and Sill, formed the spearhead of the attack, while the Massey combination was superior to that of Victoria.

dribbled the ball into fatal proximity

The game was a relatively even contest, both sides showing good form and fitness. A varied long and short passing game kept the tension among players and onlookers high. The Massey team held the advantage in the first half, but were frustrated from scoring by the defence of Banks and Walker at full-back and by the outstanding goal-keeping of Olive, who defended skilfully and courageously. Victoria's forwards in the first half failed to control the ball and to show sufficient combination to elude the Massey halves, Blake, Kelly and Grevatt. Half-time found the score nil all, and after the ball had been recovered from the stream nearby, play resumed. Rain held off throughout the game and the sun belatedly began to shine on the now well-churned terrain.

Victoria attacked at once and a rush led by Shaw, Whitham and Christie just failed to score. Massey attacked and Begg smashed a shot which Olive caught a la soccer and coolly cleared. Massey, however, were not to be denied and a wing attack by Begg and Watters opened the way for Lawrey to score with no one but the goal-keeper to beat.

Swift exchanges followed and after spirited work by 'Varsity forwards, ably supported by the halves, Mackintosh, Good and Long, D. Williams scored. Victoria pressed again, but the Massey forwards broke away and Shand made the score 2—1. Victoria forwards were now playing well but found the heavy ground and the speed of the opposition trying difficulties. But perseverance told and a movement by Shaw and Christie culminated in T. Williams goaling from the right with a nice shot. The game, with time almost at hand, was tense; the teams, now better matched in attack and defence, struggled for the supremacy of a goal.

From a twenty-five bully, the elusive Lawrey streaked through and of the goal-mouth, making Massey the winners by 3—2.

Shaw at centre-forward, and Long and Good, who had alternate spells at centre-half, played well, but were outclassed by Lawrey. For Victoria Banks at full-back and Olive in goal were outstanding; while for Massey, Lawrey, centre-forward, Sill, the fast left-winger, and Kelly and Blake—the centre and right halves, were thorns in the side of the visitors.

In the evening a dinner was held to mark the occasion. While regretting that the Victoria team had not been able to come up during the previous week-end, Massey College players suggested that more Massey-Victoria games should be played, say, two a season.

Summing up, the refereeing of the game was good, the Massey hospitality greatly appreciated, and the game itself was played in a spirit of real sportsmanship.

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Although Frank Newcombe captained the Wellington representatives and the Club gained an Auckland representative in S. Braithwaite, the Senior hockey team had an indifferent season. Only Wesley and Huia II finished below it on the competition ladder.

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