HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 282, 22 August 1908, Page 9

HOCKEY.

(Br Driver.) The championship hockey fixtures wero continued last Saturday afternoon, and somo very interesting games took place. Although the lixturo Wellington v. United was played under most favourablo conditions, on a firm, fast ground, it was rather a disappointing event to watch. Tho two clubs aro very old_ rivals, and when they have mot in the past it has invariably been the closest and most keenly-contested gamo of tho season, and perfect hockey, too. But Saturday's display _ was an exception, the gamo being only fairly interesting, and each team apparently having one of its off days. Combination, particularly in the first spell, was conspicuous by its absence, play being scrappy and ragged, lmrd and erratic hitting spoiling all chances of combined play. Matters improved somewhat during tho second spell, both sides, particularly tho reds, opening up tho gamo more, and tho forwards working moro harmoniously together, altogether, although on botli sides thero was too great a tendency to individual play. Tho usual amount of talk and appealing was an unfortunate featuro of this match, and referees must deal moro firmly with those who rosort to these unfair tactics.

Of tho Wellington forwards, Ulrich and Beero wore conspicuous, although both these playors have an inclination to go too much on their own. Tho left-wing in tho half-lino played well, and so did Doughty, who interfered with Smytho's work very successfully on the wing. Brewer did good work, but has a tendency to leave his position too much. He must use better judgment when playing in Auckland. Schulcy was quite at homo in goal. , United forwards wero only fairly good. Hollis played rather a selfish game, and spoilt many chances on that account. Elliott is a particularly useful man in and about tho circle, .but has lost a considerable amount of his old dash in tho field. His inclination is to loaf sometimes when ho could lend valuable assistance by dropping back and helping his half when in trouble. Also, he might pay moro attention to tho wing-half opposing him. Tho half-backs wore very fair, but why doesn't L. Ashbolt play in position closer un to his forwards? Von Stunner was very safe in F. Aslibolt's position, and Pearson was as usual a reliable goal-keeper. Wednesday players aro better off than those of Saturday, as they havo the use of tho Basin Reserve for two . games —weather permitting—and some good games have taken place. The Pakoha team, which held an unbeaten record last year, havo maintained their reputation, having up to date been successful in all their mitches, with the exception of a draw with Artillery, and as thoy havo a lead of threo points from their nearest opponents (Artillery) tho White Cup will probably remain in their possession. Artillery, the second team, havo been playing very well, having two draws and only one loss against them, and as tho football is over, will probably havo somo good re-cruits-for futuro garaes.

Karori have always a strugglo to g?t a full team, but they havo put up some excellent contests. Pakeha B is the team that has shown tho greatest improvement, and, with Artillery, will be tho hardost team for tha leader to bett.

Y.M.O.A. have been unfortunate in losing some of their best men, although they still havo a good team, of which Osborne is. always prominent.

Federal and Y.M.C.A. II havo suffered most defeats, but always camo up smiling with a full team, which shows that pluck, if not skill, is present. One representative match has bden played, being that against a Saturday junior representative team. The game resulted in a win for tho latter by four goals to two. Tho team selected by tho Wednesday committeo was certainly not the best that could havo been chosen, only ono Pakeha man playing, and as this team has not lost a match sinco its formation it is needless to say moro. A properly representative team would certainty havo put up a better stand. It is unfortunate that the representative match against Thames, which was to have been played on Tuesday, will not take place. Tho local • secretary received a telegram stating that thoy could not get tho team away. This, of course, reduces tho number of matches to bo played by tho local representatives before moeting Auckland, and every chanco to attain combin*tion should bo taken advantage of. Hence tho necessity for a trial match.

For that match, tho following team is hazarded: —Goal, T. Campbell or Schuley; right-back, F. Ashbolt; loft, T. Spiers; righthalf, L. Davies or R. Thompson; contra, King; left, Cathio; right-wing, Organ; insideright, Ulrich; centre, Fulton; insido-left, G. Davies; outside-left, Murphy. Tho above team would be a solid lot, and a match would be very interesting. A Canterbury oxchango has the following on tho subject of representative matches: — "It is gradually becoming a question of somo importance as to whether tho increasing number of representative games is not becoming a kind of evil. There can be no doubt that representative games tend to educate the general run of players and popularise the game with the public, provided always that representative teams aro capable of giving a display' of hookoy above tho ordinary club play; but the generality of representative elevens, although probably composed of tho best available players individually, perform very ordinarily unless thoroughly coached and played against for several games. Tho general run of Senibr elevens show infinitely better combination in attack and better judgment in' defence than the average representative team, and tho argument against a large number of theso games is that they interfere in such a large measure with tho competitions. There are only eleven men . out of ono hundred and twenty-two Seniors in our own competitions who can bo sure of games regularly. When a team goes on tour tho remaining one hundred and eleven must mark time until the representatives return _and tho competitions aro resumed." .

It looks (says "Cleft Ash" in the "Weekly Press") as though tho New Zealand Association challenge shield will remain another year in Auckland. The Auckland representatives have, up to the present, withstood all attacks, and it is most unlikely that they will lose it now, unless Wellington can put in a better team against them than tuoy did against Canterbury. Tho challeugo matches played against Auckland aro as follow: —v. Tarannki, won by Auckland by 3 goals to 1; v. Canterbury, 2 goals to 1 in favour of Auckland; v. Manawatu, 4 goals to 3 in favour of Auckland; v. Nelson, 3 goals to nil in favour of Auckland. The matches still to be played are: —Thames, on August 22; Wellington, on September 5; and Wanganui, on September 12.