HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1132, 20 May 1911, Page 12

HOCKEY.

(By "Bully-Off.")

Karon still have a one-point load over last years champions-Victoria C'ollcgo. the totals ares-Karon, Gj College, 5; U.el ingtoii, 3; United, 2; Y.M.C.A. and Wesley, l each. Tho present strength oi the six senior teams is fairly indicated by last Saturday's results. College were far superior to United ou the day s play. Tho former had an easy win. Wellington and Karon won their games from Y.M.C.A. and Wesley respectively, and the first two teams mentioned arc decidedly hotter than the last-nam-ed. It is rather early in tho season to orm an opinion regarding the chances of the six teams out for senior honours. One fact is plainly discernible, namely, lack of training. A number of players up from junior rank and now members of a senior cloven (as well as the new plovers) play indiscriminately. Captains appear to take little inteerst in their duties, although plan of attack and defence require, attention in tho club room. It ■ too late to talk hurriedly over theso matters, and rely upon n. few moments' chat," when tho teams are actually ou tho field of play. Take (ho College-United match lasb week. Tho Collegians wore trained to a nicety, and the team as a whole have apparently toiled in harmony, in order to gather combination.' The majority of this eleven were in grand fettle, and'outclassed their opponents. Pitt, left-wing, played a good game. Ocorgo Strack.was, as usual, a conspicuous member, aud so also was "Con." Salek i 6 developing into a good man. The halves were first-rate. Burbidge (lid some useful work, his hard hitting having a good effect. It is surprising to find such a "Httlo chap" possessed of a driving power equal to that of some of tho heaviest players. Oram plavcd very fair game, but, unfortunately, received a nasty smack on his knee. Kii>. blewhite and Gaze, full-backs, were superior to the United full-backs.

Dwyer, United's goalkeeper, effected some excellent "saves." One goal, how. over:.was 100 bot to "save," arid the wonder is that a bruise was not left to re. mindDwyer how hot tho situation really was.

The two full-backs did not please. Hick, son appeared "off colour," and M'Eldowney obstructed, a great deal. Just a word to "Afao" right here. "Running in on tho left" is a distinct breach of the obstruction rule. It is clearly defined. This player would do well in making nn effort to minimise tho trouble. Hicksou's driving was not so clean and decisive as on tho previous Saturday; nevertheless, he always manages to find other tricky means of beating his man. Some of the Collegian for. wards proved rather fast and troublesome, to Hickson. On several occasions tho pace proved rather warm.

Cameron, at centre-half, was sadly disappointing. Bo works hard to no good purpose, and does not help to keep (ho half line intact. He rushes about on a wild-goose chase here, there, and everywhere, and ends finally panting whilo tho game on. Another defect is getting out of position, and mulling tho ball when another of his sido is correctly dealing with the position. "Too .many cooks spoil the broth,*' and two or tlirc'a after tlio ball at tho same moment is just tho samo thing.

"Hec" Thompson played a thoroughly reliable game, but all tho United halves require to "drive" harder. "Guy" .Smytho still obstructs. Tho old players seen) to be tho worst offenders in (his respect. Organ did his best for his team but was not equal to the task set him. Andrews runs in on the left also a groat deal. However, ho and Holland are good forwards and, with more practice, should prove capable playera, 11, Thompson, tho other forward, is improving, and plays a useful game, W. Hay is not playing for United this season. He was not treated too kindly by them last winter. Tho team was hacked about somewhat, and Hay was asked to stand down whilo a change wa3 tried. The affair was regrettable as Hay is a hockey player of fairly long standing, and a mistake appears to have becu l'nado in not endeavouring to induce him to play this season. The position, as far as Y.'M.C.A, are concerned, is distressing.. The back-bono of the team is cracked completely. Poor Loader—tho well-known representative player—gets littlo or no support from his side. He, however, played a dis tirgnishrd lone-hand game last week and, indeed, he was compelled to do so. Th« halves were very poor. A. Parton was not pleasing. Ho will shortly 1» leaving Wellington temporarily, and to-day will see his last performance for a while. ]?.. Parton secured two goals on Saturday, and Louder one. At half-time Wollinglou only had a lead of four goals to three. Tho situation for Y.M.C.A. became morn pronounced, however, in tho second spell when Wellington itcurcd four more goals. Wellington were always the attacking party. Porter, wing-forward, was weak. Tho full-barks were found. All the backs (including the halves) wore good. Gcorgt Fear, left half, and late of Wanganui. was very quick with his line play and "rolling-in." Morpeth, in goal, was safe. i Dunn was the l*\st forward on the field. Karori no doubt fed jubilant, over tho success obtained so far. They meet Y.M.C.A. at Day's Hay to-day and, no doubt, they will put up a large score. United will doubtless find Wellington hard to reckon with on Xo. Hay's Bay. this afternoon, but Collcgi- should easily dispose of Wesley, at Karori. Claude Campbell, representative centra half and a. member til' the Karori team, is expected back this week, and will, in all probability be playing In-day. Aitken, who has filled the position, may bo Ira us. ferrcii lo right-half. K. Spiers will pvob. al.lv not bc-'playmg. The latter has boen placing right-half. The Auckland Club, last season's champions, has lost several members, among the number being notable |daycrs in 11. Mather and W. Brookc-Smuh. The gains to the club include Norton, Into of SI. (ieorge's, Hamlin, of Graftal, and Little, of North Shore.