HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 817, 14 May 1910, Page 10

HOCKEY.

(Bt "Bully-off.")

. One could not, this week, help noticing the deep sense of feeling and. respect shown by the hockey peopfe in New Zealand in connection with the death of the King. There was no miscarriage of the proprieties such as seems unfortunately to have occurred in another branch of sport in Christchurch. The late King—it may be' mentioned—always showed great interest in the game of. hockey, and it is fitting her» to state, that hockey, as played in England, is a treat for the public to witness. The player who keeps audibly coaching his. side, or continually appealing, is unknown. Would we. were so here. Players should remember that to make hockey a more scientific game, and to be able to play the game as it is played in England—and the English players are indeed very 'fine exponents of the sport— they must have at least two thingspractice and discipline. To a great extent the success of a team depends upon the control which the, captain exercises over his men, and also upon the spirit and feeling existing between, the men and their skipper. : Some of the best teams at Home are never allowed to shoot at the goal until a solid series of praotico drill has been gone through such as running, passing, and so forth. In many oases the team of cloven men have to run up, and down the field not on ono particular, day, but on several 'days before a final selection is made. They pass the ball, across field to and fro, and should it drop behind, the halves or backs are '• there ,to pass.it up amongst the forwards again. From such serious and systematic practice a first-rate team—probably such as New Zealand has never placed upon the field—is the outcome. The writer dwells on this point because it seenis to him that tho men here do not know how, to set about working up a really.. stinging 'combination. There are one or two meiv in each team who perhaps know the finer points of the game: Many others, however, do not even know the rules. Deplorable. '■'■_■, As instance, here is a' case that came under my notice. Eefereo Walton on Saturday week had to show a player how to roll in the ball. The .thing is so simple, and yet so important, that one cannot help laying stress upon tho fact that hardly two men in any ono .team "roll in" the ball properly. The hand must bo behind the side line, stick and feet also, tho ball being rolled in—not bounced. One can hardly agree with a, referee coaching, but still it often saves time to point out to a player the correct way of doing a particular thing. Another fact which requires immediate attention is "running in on tho left" when an opponent has the ball,' commonly called obstruction. There are many ways of obstructing. I have seen our representative players obstruct. frequently; it's bad. One feels sorry to think that, with so many enthusiasts on tho field, such obstruction 6hould be as frequent as it is.

Imagine an all-British team playing against New Zealand. Our players do not know the rules—at least they do not play according to them, and what .would thoy think? Anothor important point: There is too much selfishness amongst certain teams. Whether it is because tho individual men like spectators to see them score or not I cannot say, but it seems to bo moro proper for a left-winger, say, to pass tho ball to his confederates thun to deal selfishly with the gamo and endeavour to scoro from a brilliant run.

The plain and unmistakablo reason why hockey has not gone ahead moro during tho last five years in Wellington, is because tho men won't combino and assist each othor. What is hockey I might ask? It is entirely distinct from any other field game—with one exception, that "soccer" rules are similar to hockey rules—passing, aud combination aro noteworthy, features attending a scientific arid well-balanced team. If a right-wing player does not receive encouragement from his partners, on tho left division, how can ho be expected to throw heart and soul into tho game? And so on right through tho whole eleven. To "Try them Out." I have picked 22 men which I consider would put up a good fight between themselves and an eleven worthy of representation could be drawn from them by Mr. Walton. It would bo unfair for me to choose a representative eleven now, thorefore I foci suro tho safest course would be to pick 22 men, divide them up into two sections, 'give them a trial "go," and choose a representative cloven therefrom. I understand this courso will be adopted. Tho following should bo given preference: Forwards—Smytho (United), G. Daviea (Karori), Strack Bros, and D. Smith (College), Robt. Parton, Wheatley, and Loddcr (Y.M.C.A.), Thompson (Wellington, and iato of Vivian), and probably Hollis (Wellington Juniors). Tho latter is suitable as centre forward—also Birch. The position of "bully" is causing somo trouble, as a suitable man to fill Elliott's placo is hard to get in Wellington.. :Thero are plenty of wing-forwards, but halves are hard to pick up. • I suggest tho following halve 9bo tried:—Dawson (Y.M.C.A., who has played in (ivo representative matches), Christie (Wesley), Campbell (Karori), Smytho (Wellington), Burbidgo (College), 'and. Gendall (Karori). "Smiler" Smyth it will bo remembered played at Auckland in Dawson's place, the latter being unable to mako the journey last season.

: Full-backs :-lTarty (Wellington), Aleo Pnrton (Y.M.C.A.), Hickson (United), and Ralph, if available. ■ Goal-keepers:—Morpeth (Wellington) and Collie (Y.M.C.A.), although Morpeth should bo chosen for tho representative eleven, as ho makes fewer mistakes than Collie, and seems moro suited for tho position. I have not attempted to place tho men, because it is rather difficult to know exactly for what position tho respective men are best suited. Some of them have played left and right division, so that it is best to judge on tho day tho A and B teams play.

Being so early in tho season, it is very difficult to decide definitely now which are the best of tho players abovo mentioned, and I understand that Mr. Walton is in favour of giving an A and B team a good trial—and for that Teason venture the opinion that he will be best ablo to choose a satisfactory "eleven" on tho day of the trial match. Kibblewhite, I think, might be given a chance also, and it' Harold Wilhs could be secured, this would be a good move on the selectors' part. I'm not sure from memory if the latter is available Shield, Grounds, Referees, Etc. There will be two shiold matcHes played at the Basin Reserve—so far as is known at preuent — namely, Canterbury and Auckland. On June 3 Wellington have Saturday and Wednesday teams visiting Palmerston North, but these two matches aro not- shiold matches. ■ . ' ■ : It is improbable that No. 1 ground will be used to-dny; in fact, _ I think it inadvisable just, now to uso'this ground, as the young grass is scarcely firm and hard enough to, stand heavy play, and this particular ground will be required for shield matches shortly. Most visiting teams find Day's Bay No. 1 ground too fast for them, and Wellington should benefit for this reason. ; The Management Committee meets shortly, and preliminary arrangements will then bo made regarding what dates the shield matches will be played, and also formal matters in connection with same discussed. It will be necessary for all players to work hard to make the matches a success. I am informed referees are badly needed, nnd as the Referees' Association meets Monday night all 'those who can Assist with the whistle aro cordially invited to attend. I understand two or three gentlemen haye recently offered their services, but more Teferees are still wnjited. One matter which will come np for discussion at the Management . Committee meeting will be the question of maintenance lot Day's Bay ground. Troublo has commenced, and a good deal of dissatisfaction is expressed owing to No. 1 ground being not ready ere this. • . One side of tho question has come to my notice, but until the other parties have discussed' the matter I will go no further into the subject.