HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1198, 5 August 1911, Page 12

HOCKEY.

(By "Eight-Half.")

Shield Events.—Wellington against Nelson, August 26; Wellington against Otago, . September 9; Wellington against Taranaki (not arranged). At last wo have got tho representative as perfect as it can be fcot. Whatever happens m the futuro depends on tho men themselves, for tho selector has done all that can be done. The trial game between A and B teams last Saturday had ono happy result, and that result was o readjustment of the forward line. The game was one-sided, as tho A's played with capital combination, this being due largely to a' more scientific "use of their wings than has been the case in tho past. No one can doubt the .improvement which has been effected by putting G. Davis in his true position, which is leftinsido. There is also tho removal of C. Strack to right-inside. He combines well with Snick, and tho alteration will undoubtedly strengthen the right wing. Tho inclusion of R. Parton as right-half lias also stiffened up the half-line a lot. Tho halves are playing very well indeed at present, and it is to be hoped that they p. ill show tho fop of their form against Auckland next Saturday. Tho full-backs—M'Eldowney and C. Hickson—were very solid last week, and that, of course, is all that is wanted. Well, not quite all. One hopes that they will drop the obstruction tactics which at times fall like a big ugly blot on their play. _ Dwyor, in goal, gave a very fine showing in tho socond spall, proving invariably both cool in his judgment and sound in his stylo of play. Nothing seemed to "bustle" him. Tho Wellington Association have granted tho use of grounds to the Y.M.C.A. Club, who meet Christchurch team next Saturday prior to the shield match, and also to Victoria Collego for a match with Auckland University, to be played on Monday morning, August. U. The association has also granted tho use of the Day's Bay grounds to the Wellington Ladies' Association for their tournament on September 1-9 inclusive. A sub-com-mitfee has been appointed to arrange a sevon-a-side tournament for all players after next Saturday's shield match. Tho Auckland University team, winners of tho season's, senior championship, arc touring with the Auckland representatives, and will play the local university on the date mentioned. During, their stay hero they will be the guests of tho Victoria College Club, who are sparing no trouble in giving the visitors a good time. It is probable that, the following 'Auckland players will'make the Hnrnhall, Burton. Whit laker, Kingj .lacobson, Reynolds, Speight, ;Jackson| j Richards. Robinson, and Rowe. I Tho Wellington Association has booked tho following dates (should they contimia ■ to keep the shield) for further repro-! srnlativo combats.—Nelson match, An-1 gust 2G;'Otago match, September 9. In regard to a challenge from Taranaki, mat. I tors are in what tlm classic*, would call! "in nubibus," or ill tho clouds, i: anyone! prefers the plain English of it. Tho local | association have written to the New Ze.i-1 land Hockey Association requesting that this engagement be postponed till. next, season. The truth is that shield clial- : longer, this season have been as "thiclc as autumn leaves in Vallombrosi." and , it is difficult to see how a date for the stmedc could be conveniently arranged in the dying days of the season. i The Auckland shield challengers are leaving the "Queen city" by express (rain on August 8, and will lie hero on Wednesday evening. This will givo them two days before the match in which to pick ■ np the pace and peculiarities of the Day's | liay ground.

Mr. Cyril Af.rtuith, youngest son of the Premoir, who is, like his father ami brothers have boon before liim, a scholar of Balliol, has won the Hertford scholarship at Oxford. Last April lie headed the Classical Moderations honours list,