HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 793, 16 April 1910, Page 12

HOCKEY.

(By "Bully-oft.")

Matters have reached practical shape in the hockey world so far as Wellington is concerned! the last two Saturdays being devoted to practice matches, likewise today. The annual meeting of tho Wellington .Hookey Association takes placo on Tuesday evening next, and tho championship fixtures commence on April 23. Owing to , unforeseen circumstances, the chairman and secretary of the association were absent from Wellington during tho latter end of March and early part of this' month, and unfortunately the annual meeting could not be convened until somewhat later than would otherwise have been the case.

"Bully*>ff" will hare something to say regarding the shield on a future occasion. It will be well to let the individual players know one point, however; and that is—work hard and well; be enthusiastic—for the higher-grade ranks want filling this season, and who knows but what one's services may be required for representative matches.. , Regarding last Saturday's scrambles— for they were very. little more—and this is all that could be expected of the men so early in the season: one or two glaring faults require rectifying immediately, viz., "obstruction" and "playing the man." Hockey is a scientific gaino, and it should so be played.. It's not a "shove-bang-knock-you-over" sort of game. Enough perhaps has been said on this point at present. Some of our old playere have been transferred elsewhere, whilst it is sod to have to record the loss of an old and true sport through death, namely, the late Mr. Ronaldson, well known as a member of thu champions, United. Tho United Club will suffer by the omission from their ranks, of Messrs. Dwyer, (hat fine goal-stopper, Ashbolt, tho flying left full-Tiack, Mills, wh'o has given up hockey also, the old favourite, Elliott, who is transferring his quarters to Feildihg, and Hollis, inside left. Still, plenty of useful players are offering, and the writer is informod that the United seniors will not suffer so much as one might be led to suppose. One of tho senior teams which will cause excitement this season will bo Y.M.C.A. Their ranks include some clean, scientific, and skilful members. That old "jumper," Ernie Card, should cause his opponents souio anxiety. Unfortunately, he is absent for a couple of weeks, but will not need tho amount of training that other members require, because ho has been in training all through the snnimr. dodder, who really deserved more distinction last season, will J>o better than ever judging by his movements Inst Saturday. I'. Gnode was miirricd recently, unci will probably wait awhile before deciding whether to give up tho hockey business or not. Wo nil hope to «co him amongst the Y.M.C.A. boys ero long. With the exception- of the centre-for-ward, tho Y.M.C.A. team will bo the same as last year, and Heyes, a promising player, will probably fill Hial posiCollego have apparently not decided on thniy beam, aw tie writer u, waiting

patiently for notiioetion as to its constitution. Tliis team will make the pace warm for United, no doubt. Karori also would oblige by forwarding their teams to "Bully-off" 03 soon as possible. Wellington Bkewise. By the way, Shuley ie in bis old place apparently. Thorntlon are understood to be dropping away altogether this season. It is asserted that their men are joining other clubs.

Vivian are withdrawing their senior team, I understand, and this, of course, is to bo regretted, for if Metropolitan place a senior class in the field we .will have seven senior teams, which means tho constant irritation resulting from byes, for probably a wet Saturday and a bye or vice versa will follow. Ono hopes that Thorndon and Vivian will reconsider their decision.

The secretary, Mr. Christie, ie anxious to receivo all nominations as soon as possible in view of the approach of the nua.l meeting on Tuesday.