HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1162, 24 June 1911, Page 12

HOCKEY.

(By "Eight-Haif.")

Last Saturday the second round of the senior championship commenced, the results not affecting the position of the teams.

■a a "~ m j, a . , l. « a -u 3 o ."S g -5 '5 .5 ft £ ,3 o o < (S Karori ... 6 5 0 1 27 6 11 V. Collego (J 4- 0 2 14 i 10 Wel'gtn. ■ (i l :i 2 1 .16 17 7' Y.M.C.A. G 1 i 1 17 27 3 Wesley ... 6 14 1 11 Si 3 United ... 6 1 5 0 11 17 2

Though Wellington won, they did not have things all their owu way. Y.M.C.A. were unfortunate in not scoring two or three limes, chiefly through tho centre and right-wing-forwards, who were never in their right places when near tho goal. On tho Wellington side the forwards took every advantage of their opportunities, and this resulted in Dunn, who played well throughout, doing all the scoring. Leader was well fed with the ball by A. Parton, but the left-wing was too fast for his forwards, with the consequence, that ho had to do it all by himself. He scored one goal by travelling right through the opposition, goalkeeper and all. A, Parton (Y.M.C.A.) ami Sievers (Wellington) were tho pick of the full-backs, and at limes put in solid defensive work. The half-backs on both sides did not show up a great deal. Hall (Wellington centre), aud K. Parton (Y.M.C.A. right-half) gave tho best display. The former is at times liable to carry, the ball tco far before passing to liis wiiigs. K. Parton is playing in a new position, and on his showing last Saturday, he should be heard of later. He was, however, sadly needed as wingtorwaid, to stop the ball when Loader sent it across. The best forwards on tho day .were Loader, M'Dougall, and Dunn. M'Dougall played well as righliring for Wellington, and three goals resulted through his sending tho ball to Dunn at the right time. Tho Y.M.C.A. forwards did not display any combination, and it was not until the second spell had commenced that tho Wellington forwards played with combination. j\ Tcithcr goalkeeper showed much confidence. Especially does this stricture apply in the case of Morpeth, who should nave known better than leavo his goal to meet Loader. That hefty person is the hardest wing-forward in Wellington to stop when ho is on the ball. Tho Karori ground was not in the best condition, this being owing probably to tho bad weather earlier iu the week. It is also bumpy in places, and frequently caused the forwards to overrun tho ball.

For Die greater part of the game United were defending against (!ie splendid 00111binalion of the College forwards, llickson (Unito<l) had plenty to do, and played well throughout. Kibblcwhito (College) played -his best game this season, sending the ball on to his lorwards at every opportunity. )!. Thompson (United) was the pick of (he halves, and save the College forwards trouble. Burbidge (College centre-hall) also rendorpd valuable assistance' to his side. The United forwards liadly need combination, and a forward that call score. On one or two occasions last Saturday (when a chance occurred! they seemed to lose their heads, and hit wildly. Salelc played well on the rightwing for College, and the combination of the St rack Bros, was strong all the time.

Karori took I lungs rather too easily in the first spell, bat, in the second, they showed combination, and gave the Wesley backs plenty to think about. The circles at both ends were abominable, the ball often sticking in the mud, and causing the forwards of both teams a great deal of trouble in hitting. Wesley forwards should adapt themselves to the condition of the ground, and, when within the scoring area, should not give the ball a light tap, but hit. They might, with advantage, take note how the Karori forwards scored, and not let opportunities pass. The sreond change is never so good as the one that has gone. As far as could be expected .on a bad ground, Ihe players on both sides gave a fair exhibition,"

Mr. Ford recently selected the following to represent Canterbury against 'Wellington :—Goal-lieeper )> C. Bellamy; riunt-iwp.fi, W. Chambers; left-Lack, V. Sepiu: righthalf. 1). Snell; centre-half, K. Hidl CV ; left-half, H. Throp; right-wing-forward,' \V. Patrick; right-inside, S. Smith; cen-tre-forward, K Hulbcrt; left-inside. W. Earwakcr; left-wiugrforward, it. Ilalc' Deserves: Hacks, 0. Sherwood, W. Rogers! Forwards, J. Hoivison anil W. Harrington. The Canterbury representatives plnvod a picked team last Saturday, winning' by 2 goals to nil. Another match for the team was at last advices being arranged for Coronation Bay.

The Auckland Association has decided to play an A and B trial match, so as to give their representatives opportunity of

obtaining combination in view of tho coming match for the shield against Wellington.

The Wellington representative team (o meet Canterbury next Saturday is, with one exception, in which Biirbidgo (Victoria College) replaces Aicken as right-wing-half, the same as defeated Slauawatu n fortnight ago. Owing to (lie limited time at their di». pnsal the Wellington Association has decided not to play an A and 13 trial match before meeting Canterbury. The present system' of appointing referees for senior matches does not altogether iintl favour with the majority. A case in point: One team has had the samo roferco controlling tho majority of their games played to dale. This practice should bo discouraged in (lie interests of the (jamc, There are now four teams practically in the running for the junior championship United are first with 11 points, Col .ego second with 10 points, and Metropolitan and Government Insurance 8 points each, while the leading team has not hrd its bye. Tin third-class competition (first round) should finish this Saturday, and, at present, Government Insurance ni'D leading, with Hult Valley as runners up.

TJie position of the challengers for the shield is as follows:—Canterbury, July 1, Hawke's Bay. Wanganui having withdrawn their challenge, Nelson will probably follow. OtaTo forwarded their challenge to the Wellington Association instead of to the Nov Zealand Associalion, while Taraiiaki has already challenged through tho New Zealand Association.

As things arc at present, it is very doubtful, should Wellington retain the shield, whether Otago's challenge will lie accepted this season.