HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 832, 30 July 1910, Page 12

HOCKEY.

(By "BuLLT-opr.") Last Saturday's shield game deos not warrant much comment. The weather was anything but pleasant. The big match was played on a ground that was far from being in good order, and the junior representatives fared worse. It reminded the writer of an incident that cropped up.two seasons ago. Whilst certain matches were in progress at Miramar the southerly storm which set in nearly blinded the players, and not only did it hail hard,' but the fork lightning was infinitely worse. Such was hardly the case last W6ek, yet the conditions for playing representative matches -ivero frightful. Wairarapa have been and gone. It was a patchy game during the first spell, and Wellington never.exerted themselves until the challengers had lodged the first two goals. It seemed rather bizarre for the dclendcrs of a shield to give away chances and run such risks as AVellington did last week. Why is it that the local representatives require so much stimulation to put their best eifort forward? Tho game during tho first spell was very dull. The combination of Wellington's eleven was excellent when once they got going, but at first they rated the visitors "too lightly. Regarding individual players, two forwards in the local team who deserve special mention aro Strnck brothers. They played admirably. It is a pity that thfc old representative forward, Godfrey Davies OCarori), has been indisposed, and quite a number of enthusiasts wondered where Danes had got to. It is to be hoped he will soon recover. C. Stroek filled the position of insulo left well. There is no reason for any change being made to the wing forwards. Both Loader and l'arton played splendid games. The selector has acted wisely in substitute Dawson for N. Smythe, lefthalf. Campbell was the best of the halves on the day's play. His hitting was sound. Christie was only fair. Ashbolt was the best Wellington back. Hickson did not appear to he at home, but no doubt he will give a good account of himself to-day. Morpeth carried out the duties of goal-keeper satisfactorily. The AVellington forwards swept down the field consistently during the second spell, and gave their opponents a warn* time defending. This spell was certainly much more interesting than the first. Of course, brilliant hockey could hardly he expected on such a day. The AYnirarapa eleven comprised some solid and fast players, but tho forwards lacked combination, ft was curious to watch tho way in which they gave goal after goal away. Tho backs also appeared to be rather incapable of check-mat-ing the Stracks. Minnctt and 1(. Held were Wairarapas best forwards. Occasionally the forwards made an effort to break away, but little or no reward came their way. The halves ulayed fairly, but were unaole to render '

much assistance to their side owing to their combination being poor. Thynne, left fuil-back, played the best game. The goal-keeper would have done better, no doubt, had he been playing on a dry ground.

The trial match to-day will be interesting, as both elevens are strong. Next Saturday Canterbury will be here, and to say that the southerners are eager to take that shield from Wellington would be putting the point mildly. If the ground is wet, Wellington's chance of retaining tue shield will be only middling. Should tho day be fine, however, and the ground—No. 1 Day's Bay—dry and hard, Canterbury will have a hard task set them to win. As to the merits of the two teams that will take the fiela, frum information to hand, the Canterbury eleven will be every bit as good'as Wellington, but the fast ground will assist the local team much.

Canterbury's weak spot will probably be in tho full-back division, but their halves are stronger than Wellington's. The forwards aro on a par. Goal-keeper Bellamy (who will in-all probability play for Canterbury) is very good. A Canterbury informant mentioned to the writer recently that the great fault of the Wellington halves was that they would not keep up with the game. • A Wellington player who fought against Canterbury last year states that if tho team is as good as it was then, well, Wellington will need to play, or else the result will bo anything but pleasant to them. it is understood that should an alteration to the team which met and defeated Wairarapa be considered advisable on to-day's form the selector does not intend to pause in making il. Some exception was taken to Mr. Walton (sole selector) in the Wairarapa v. Wellington match last Saturday. The explanation is as follows:— Oiviiur to an error which occurred when Mr. Bennett, secretary to the Hockey Association was receiving nominations from the secretary of the Referees' Association across the telephone the name of Mr.. Walton was inadvertently included in the list of referees forwarded to Wairarapa. Wairarapa decided on Mr. WaL ton, or rather the secretary, of that association is understood to have asked that Mr. Walton should referee. As the event proved he said also.that he carried out tho duties of referee veTy well, his decision being very prompt in every case, while his rulings, met with tho general approval of the two learns.