HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 840, 11 June 1910, Page 12

HOCKEY.

(By "Bolly-oet.")

Eockeyites have to a measure been siiown the strength of a Wellingtoa representa'tive eleven, "by means of the match against llauawatu, played at' Palmerston on King's Birthday, and it is fitting now to give the followers of hockey and others an idea of the form of the Wellington team. The match, it must bo said, was purely a returned compliment, and probably had an eleven been fighting to retain the shield more enthusiasm would have been imparted into the gamei From a spectators' point of view the game during the first spell was oninteresting; in fact, very dull an& patchy; but then the teams had not struck, form collectively, .and combination was not of the best. Towards the finish both teams showed a marked improvement, especially "Wellington side. Wellington's win by two goals to nil scarcely indicates the true- merits of the respective elevens'. On many occasions Manaw;atu were placed in extremely awkward positions for the reason thai the forward lino of the visitors excelled thatof their opponents, and consequently the back division on the Slanawatu side was tested to the full extent. "Wellington were taken somewhat by surprise over the referee's ruling on. certain points connected with the rules. One particular fact requires mention. Hi. Warder, the referee, gave satisfaction, but his persistency in whistling whenever the ball happened to get knocked on by the piayer's hand when stopping it seemed to sorely trouble the Wellington team. Kule \i distinctly states that the ball "may iiot be knocked on or back except with the stick"; and, although the referee was correct in his interpretation of this rule, still, it is suggested, that he was rather too ' particular. Othei breaches of the rules requiring stricter attention were overlooked, such as the roll-in and obstruction—running in on the left. "Bully-off" appreciate the work of a referee, but few referees have thoroughly mastered tie obstruction and ' off-side rules. Keferring to . the ,-Hanawatu match. ■ The first spell was really an overture to the match, neither side having got up ■ steam. Another reason for the poor result was a heavy and -greasy ground.. Wellington "reps." are more at home on. Days' Bay grounds. .Jones, centre forward, was chosen for the team solely because of the splendid form shown this season, ami his efforts at Palmerston were only rewarded by actual results on one occasion. This player shot a goal during the first spell which was disallowed. E. Parton played splendidly, and must have pleased" the selector—who by the way was present at the match. Parton put his whole energy into the game, and some of his tricky pieces of play appealed to the writer. . Nathan Smythe (of the Wellington Club) playing centre-. half, did not treat matters very seriously. Putnam, left-half, was weak, whilst Christie as right-half improved during the second spell. Of the .backs, Hickson was most prominent, Harty appearing out of form. Morpeth had an interesting time of it. • Godfrey Davies played a grand game, and fairly mystified the Manawatu backs. Dave Smith and Guy Smythe. were fair. Parton's goal deserves mention. Wellington "reps" must-improve .considerably in order to ensure a reasonable chance of their retaining the shield. Combination was badly wanting amongst the Jfanawatu forwards. The backs and halves were certainly more sure' of their' ground. Except for an occasional scram- ' ble the first representative match played by Wellington' was very uninteresting. Last Saturday Victoria College played the game of their lives, and deserved tie' victory. of two goals to "United's one. The former team were in splendid fet--1 tie; every man did his utmost, and it was a treat to: watch the forward move- ! ment. Like lightning they swept the | field back. Their combination was per--1 ,fect, but when in the circle poor shooting proved the stonewall. College got into circlo in grand style, and there they ar'# lost. •.'•-. . ■ ■ • Burbridge, centre-half, and Dave Smith, inside-right,'. were really fine on Saturday. Beerc is not. so successful, ap Jones (United), as centre-forward. It . has been suggested Beere should be given ' an opportunity of entering the "rep." . team, but the claims of Jones appeal ' .more substantial. United should not ba . disheartened, for they still have a chance \ of getting into .the lead for the cup. ' Organ, right-wing, Hickson (back), and ', Thompson, right-half, deserve special mention. Organ . played a splendid L game. Considering that this was Thomp- . son's first appearance amongst the [ Uuited's ranks, he was very fair. G. . Sinytho evidently thought the referee . was away hunting, for on one occasion [ he was almost leaning, against thu goalpost beside the opposing goal-keeper, waited offside. ' Eventually he scored- , an' off-side goal, which was cor-, rectly disallowed by referee Walton. .Allen, the United goal-keeper, makes- | suro of stopping the ball with his foot, but he should be quick and get rid of the ball. Owens played in G. Smythe's position, as left-wing forward, whilst, the latter took the inside-left position. Owens was not - over satisfactory, aid was the weakest forward on United's side. The captain of the ferry boat called, at Kona Bay first on the trip over, withHie result that matches at _ Day's Bar. were commenced rather late in the afternoon, and. this necessitated their beingcontinued long after the light had failed. .It is understood, that this" may not probably occur again. Hawke's Bay forwarded the. acceptance to Wellington in connection with the forthcoming- shield match on Thursday week last. A trial match was to have taken place between an A and B team' at Hawke's Bay, Thursday last. Tim Brewer, late Wellington representative 'player is picked for the representative team. M'Goldrick, right-half-and . Hastings player—will probably captain the Hawke's'Bay. team. Full particulars should be availablenow regarding dates for futrue shield matches, as the management, committee, . was to have met yesterday.