HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1521, 17 August 1912, Page 12

HOCKEY.

[Bx "Bullt-ow."] DILAPIDATED SHIELD-WHY? We Sit Down to Admire Ourselves. After a memorable victory tho great Julius Caesar onco uttered theso words: "Veni, vidi, vici"-rl came, I saw, I, conquered. But tho Taranaki team which played Wellington last week could not quite speak as spake the Roman. It is truo that they came, truer that they saw, but truest of all that they were beaten, and very decisively too. Never at any period of tho game did they appear to have a chance. In all departments they were outplayed, and although tho game was fast and exhilarating to the spectators, our northern brothers were never concerned in. anything brilliant. Wellington, on tho other hand, played as became them. The speedy Loader on tho wing was at his best. The two Stracks played as prettily as ever. Davies was always alert, though on ono or two occasions he was over-keen and lost three certain goals on that acount. Eeed, on tho right wing, was prone to get oflside, but he nevertheless performed .well, and the whole forward line can bo congratulated on. a splendid afternoon's work. In tho half lino R. Thompson played very cousistcntly, continually beating his man, and feeding up Loader with good passes. Campbell, at centre-half, seemed to bo always "there" when strong defence was wanted. Parton, on tho right wing, played well enough at times, but would not M'Gregor bo well worthy of a trial in this position?. MTJldowney played his usual safe game, but "usual standard of play" is not by any means representative hockey. As a matter of fact, this player is weak, and during tho course of the match one unconvincing stroke of his—a punv ono to tho line—was much in. eridenco. Harty played in Baker's absence and although n little "green," his play was on tho whole creditable. In goal, Dwyer saved finely on one or two occasions and was otherwise good to watch. Wo don't want to "count our chickens before they're hatched." but ono must say we Wellingtonians feel sanguine about the Canterbury match. If the Wellington team meet together for practice and can reproduce last Saturday's form, then they will either bring back the shield, or Canterbury will have to be a vastly improved team to retain it. •

The Shield and the Jolly Street Party, Speaking of the shield, it is very interesting to know- that Mr. Bennett lias received a communication from tlio Now Zealand Hockey Association inquiring reasons why tho shield was damaged. When first presented, tho shield had a case, but when Wellington brought it down from Auckland three years ago' the- case was missing. Mr. Bennett .submitted the cost of a new case to the New Zealand Hockey Association, and that body had the great courtesy to make no reply to the letter. It is true that a small scroll on (lie shield was loose, but this could easily have been screwed up with a penknife. If the shield is still damaged further, then tho Now Zealand Hockey Council might make inquiries among members oi tho Canterbury team. For the fact is that the writer saw tho Canterbury team fin merry, jovial mood), sauntering along Willis Street on tbeir way to tho boat, with tho shield calmly tucked under the arm of ono-of tho party. There was no covering of any kind over tho shield, and if the shield was damaged, circumstantial evidence—well, why waste more words? However, the shield is the property of tho New Zealand Hockey Council. A 'fenshillings expended on having a ease mode would meet tho present exigencies.

Dangerous Ground for a Mere Man, This afternoon two Indies' trial games will be played at Day's Bay, tho object being to facilitate tho final selection oi the representative team to visit Christchurch. It is agreed on all sides that a really good team can bo picked, as the ladies have shown good form this year. There has been a little under-current of dissatisfaction over the managership oi the touring team. Some there are who think that a "mero man" should bo appointed, and there are. several reasons whv this is preferable. "Man"-taken in the bread sense—is a born manager (or thinks he is), and on getting fares and (irranging accommodation, etc., his judgment is sound and firm. At least, he imagines so. Moreover, a ladies' team needs a "strong hand" (man's supposed forto again) to refer to, for final instructions and to decide any mailers which may occur.

However, wo are getting into deep water and laying ourselves open for feminine jibes, so wo must crawl back into our cave, and hope that "nothing will happen" because we have said what we havo said. Let its hope that a malinger of tho "suffragette" type will bo appointed, so that a strong ruling hand will really control tho tourists.