HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1782, 21 June 1913, Page 12

HOCKEY.

[Bi "Bully-off."]

TRIAL GAMES & LADIES' NOTES. The Two "Try Outs." Of the two "try-outs" at Karori on Saturday, the A and B clash collared all the interest. The affair between C and D went its scheduled length, but apart from this there is nothing to chronicle. Tho selectors gave all their attention to the A and B game, and although from a spectator's point of view tho play was uninteresting, Messrs. Falconer and Bennett should be ablo to gather together a good contingent to face the attack from other provinces. Brief Review of tho Players. The goalkeepers, Cleave and Morpeth, were not given many-chances to display their qualities. Cleave has been playing further up the field all this season, but at the request of the selectors took up his old place for the trial. It is likely enough that his fine record of last season will be a factor in his favour in the final selection. Pullyn's consistent good form during club matches was again noticeable, and he is one of tho certainties. The other full-back is likely to be either Goze or MUldowney, with tlie United man as favourite. Anion? tho halves, Campbell was a cut above the rest, but M'Gregor was playing with an injured knee, and, in consequence, was never "all out." The wings were weak, and it will be interesting to see what tne selectors are going to do in the emergency. Thoro is no reason why both M'Gregor and Campbell should not be included in the line, and although playing out of bis usual place, the latter could very well fill tne position on the other side to Burbidge. Boyd, Griffiths, and C. and G. Strack were a good forward . line, _ but Henderson was out of the picture. Sheeran showed liimself as a good scoring man, and, although accustomed to inside play, ho might do just as well out on the wing. ,H« deserves a place. ; Theft* there is Collins (tried in the second spell), who showed up well. Ecid resumes the game to-day, and should he be inything like the Held of last season, he must bo considered in the final selection,

Picking a Team. With Southland having found neit Saturday inconvenient for their trip north, it is quite probable that the selectors wul bo able to get in another trial before the first shield game. On Saturday's play, however, "Bully Off" will take .a sporting phance, and, in summing up, suggests the following team:—Goal, Cleave; full-backs, M'Eldowney and Pullyn; halves, Burbidge, M'Gregor, Campbell; forwards, Griffiths, Boyd, G. Struck, C. Strack, Sheeran. Touch-lin# Gossip. The clever little Karori forward G. Davios was picked to play among the B's on Saturday, but a severe cold kept him on the touchline. » , Metropolitan would be well-advised to try Sheeran on the wing to-day. The selectors will be watching for a man to take up the position on the other side to Griffiths, and should the little Eed and Black play anything near as well in that position as ho does in the centre, his chances of representative honours seem to be of the rosiest. It was a disappointment to find Hunter among the spectators instead of under the posts on Saturday. The Insurance 'keeper was down to play in the C. and D. game, and popular opinion seems to sugpest that ho would have been the final solection in the shield team. Hunter, in his grievance—of being . superseded by Cleave in the A and B game—has perhaps a good case, but "Bully Off thinks that after all, whether in A, B, C, D, or teams taking up the whole of the alphabet, it would navo been a case of the survival of the littest with tho selectors, and with his shot-stopping ability. Hunter must have come out very well. Something About the Ladies. The ladies' competition matches of last Saturday produced very little of interest, Tho meeting of Victoria College and Girls' College was expected to be a spirited affair, but although the winners got home by only a Bmall margin, the, game was not interesting at any stage. The University girls worked a little more combination than usually into their tactics, but it was saddening to watch them in the circle. Girls' College were not playing np to the form they displayed in previous games. The absence of one of their forward lino was partly; responsible for the broken play. Miss Laurenson, however, was always up with the game—she scored their only goal. By beating College Old Girls so easily St. Augustine's gave evidonce that then draw with Sirens the previous Saturday was no fluke. Old Girls were certainly minus two of their team, but their opponents were always a winning team, and •seem to have improved a lot. . • St. Augustine's impress one as being n team with possibilities. They are always eager, and "Bully Oft" would not bo at all surprised to seo them effect the downfall of some of tho leaders in the seoond round. A little crowding-in was apparent among tho backs on Saturday, and the opposing wing forwards wore unmarked on several occasions. Tho'halves would do well to remembor that in keeping their places they are making the fight much easier for tho rest of tho team, The full-backs liavo a penchant for hugging th'o circle. This might pay when you aro defending, but with the vanguard on the attack, tho backs should keep up the field. Tho forwards play o good game, but the old fault of crowding' 111 is noticeable at times. In meeting their B team Eamblers A had an easy win. The Misses Harri9 as usual kept up a running fire at the posts and the whole team's attack generally was the feature of tho game. Sirens wero meeting a weak team m Gregg's. The latter have struck misfortune in not gettins their regular team together, and this is mainly responsible for tho drab mantle of defeat beniß thrown over their efforts so frequently. Miss Eoadley (Gregg's goal-keeper) stopped many shots during tho game, and lior display generally was very creditable. Last week "Bully Off," in forecasting tho personnel of the trial teams, omitted to mention Miss E. Smith (wing forward for Eamblers A). This young lady represented Nelson last year, and, judgine by some of her good play this season, sh< liiust come in for representative oonsiderait- is rumoured, are losing Mis; M/M'Domiell, who is giving tho gaiw best. Miss M'Donnoll has always beer an enthusiast, and will bo sadly missed.