HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1449, 25 May 1912, Page 12

HOCKEY.

[Bl "BULLT-OFF."] THE POSITION OF THE CLUBS! x a in k a J ; ■? -j.E a Karon ;l 3 0 0 11 2 f> Wellington i 2 1 1 11 7 5 Metropolitan ... 3 2 1 0 11 5 i United 4 1 2 1 12 10 3 Wesley 3 12 0 4 13 2 Victoria Col. ... 2 1 1 0 17 2 Govfc. Life 8 0 3 0 2 11 0

The Good News About Grounds, It must have given real satisfaction to all hockey players to learn that tho Hutt Park had been secured for a hockey ground. Eleven games could be played I every Saturday. All the competition matches, in fact, could Ix> played there. What a boon it will be. Just imagine 259 players on ono ground. Of course, negotiations arc- not yet completed, but tho rental for tho first three years is ,£7O per annum, after ivhicu X'3o is to bo paid till the ten years' lease is up. This will moan a. big hole in the association's finances, but it is a step in the right direction, and all players should hail with delight this news, and if need be, put their hands in their pockets should their help be wanted. Teams Up and Teams Down, The game lias now been in swing for a month, and some idea of the merits of the teams can be formed. As anticipated, Karori have assumed the lead, and are likely to stay there. The remaining teams are fairly even, aud it will not be till the season's end that the positions can'bo gauged. Karori's main 6!rength lies in their forwards, although their lialf-linc, Farton, Campbell, and Aiclriu are all «s----reprosentative players, eo the team is solid right through. Wellington, who are now second on the ladder, have performed beyond expectations, and, if they train consistently, they should retain their pre-eminence. Tho best acquisition to flieir team is Seed (tight-wing forward), who is worthy of a game in the representatives. Nest on the list are Metropolitan, a very willing combination. It 's reported that Baker is coming back to rejoin them. M'Gregor, their centre-half, is a host in himself, and it is duo to his fine play that they, hold their position. -' United clcseSy follow Metropolitan, and, although their forward line, is strong, their half-backs are weak, with the exception of R. Thompson. M'Eldownev, left full-back, also plays w>ll, but Miller, n. promoted junior, takes too many flying I hit<;, and is uncertain. Wesley and Victoria College tie for fourth place, but the la*t-iiamod will soon climb hijjher. For tho time being their combination is not very telling. In tho first place, Dunn is not so much a halfback as a good scoring forward, ami an ambitious goal-getter EUCh as he is should play in the front rank. The Strack Bros, have been changing positions. G. Strack goes splendidly on the wing, combining well with his "brother, who plays inside. Of tho half-backs, Burbidge is easily the best. . ... Weslev are a very uncertain ouanhty. They are the kind of team which might any day efiect a surprise—but they must train harder. The three players who loom largest the Keys, Birch, niwl Hatch, and every Saturday these three always play well. , Government Life Insurance, who are candidates for the bottom position, arc, likely to win it. They seem keen, and they' also seem to train well, but without brniny play ell this availeth nothing. They do not seem to pos?©s3 osybodv who can'"aap off" thoir passing rushes. They swoop down the field, and arc sent away empty. Before tho season closcss, however, they are sure to got a win if they will, only uso. their ; -h«ods.and take advantage'of openings made.

Review ef Saturday's Play. Only two senior games were played last Saturday—Karori v. United, and Wellington v. Metropolitan. Despite, the state of the ground, the former game was tU« best played this season, and several ol the spectators say that the score should haTe been. 3—2. It is certain that Karon were given a good run, but they \ver< doubtless the better team. All the for wards and halves played well, as aid olsc L. Davws, their left full-back. On thi United sido Andrews and Collins wer< the two best forwards. Their front rani would go better with the following ax- ' rangement:—Sniytho, Wilson, Andrews Bovd, and Collins. It is rather a pita that Smythe cannot see his way to pla.\ the whole season, as he is much too gooc stock to be written off. Burch should Ik {• dropped, a3 ha is only up to junior form \ The Wellington-Metropolitan game pro. \ duocd good hockey—fast and interesting. For the winners, Reed was eaaly th< \ best player, but Hollis and Paul alsc played well, Paul's last pool being verv meritorious. Sohlaadt and Morrah now shono in the back line. GoaJkeoper Mo; , - peth ha,s developed a habit of leaving hii goal to play in Hie forwards. His presence in the front rank seems to stimulate his team, but the policy is not a wise one, for Morpeth is really good between the Oa the Metropolitan side M'Gregor was the pillar of strength, and a very "present help in timo of trouble." Ho wa* here, there, and everywhere, and, several times, threaded his way through his opponents with clever stick work. Muldoon and Jones also played good games. \ Baker's absence was acutely felt. ) How Shape the Junior Men? * As in previous years, the junior com. \ petition is very keen, and twelve teatne .do battle every Saturday. The season is \ yet quite young, but Karori will about \ land the prize. At present they are racing neck and neck with St. Augustine's and St. Mark's, eo there will be no galloping away. Last Saturday junior hockey was postponed. This was rather regrettable, because the competition will bo long drawn out. The following ig the position of the junior teams:— . (3 j? IJII ! 1 A ■ P, ? h S P O 2 P( Karori 3 3 0 0 10 3 6 St. Augustine's ..3 3 fl tl Id 2 6 St. Mark's 3 :i 0 0 12 6 6 Gross's 3 2 0 1 11 1 5 Wellington 3 2 0 18 6 5 V.C. (A) 3 2 I 0 18 5 i United 3 2 \ 0 It 17 i Hutt Valley ... 3 1 2 0 9 9 2 Govt. Life' 3 1 2 0 9 10 2 K.Y.JT.I. (A) ...3021471 Metropolitan ... 3 0 2 1 i> 11 1 Wesley .10 3 0 5 14 0 y.C. '(B) 3 0 3 0 1 12 0 K.Y.M.I. (B) ... 3 0 3 0 1 25 0 Third Grade Positions, Gregg's are now leading for the thirdgrade competition, but have played ona more game than Kilhirnio Anglican, who up till last Saturday were leading with them. The following is the position of teams-.— e<SaSfel Gregg's i 3 0 1 18 9 7 Kilb'irnie Anglican 3 2 0 112 2 5 St. Mark's 3 2 1 0 10 11 i Wellington 3 0 3 0 2 IG 0 Colloiro 0 0 3 0 10 24 0