HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1812, 26 July 1913, Page 12

HOCKEY.

[Br "Buliy-off."] CHALLENGE MATCHES TO-DAY. Hockey or Skating? Matters in hockoy circles on Saturday last were practically at a standstill, and consequently there is little to review. Drizzling rain set in during the previous night, nnd continued throughout Saturday, rendering tho grounds at Karori unfit for p-Jny. As a result, it was decided to declare all club matches off, but the trial representative match took place. It was played in, mudj and at times the proceedings bore a striking re-, semblance to a skating rink. Under these conditions, play of a high, order could not be expected, aud on the whole it jvas disappointing. .The "A's had the biggest slice of the pudding, in both first and second spells. From the initial "bully" they set a pace much too warm for tho "B's. At times, however, the latter's forwards infused energy into their play, and succeeded iU working tho ball insido the circle. Here opportunities to score naturally presented themselves, but they were, not availed of, for the forwards.with one or two exceptions, made a hopeless tauele of thinps in endeavouring to shoot. Tho man who got anywhere near the ball wanted to score, and the wrong man got the ball every time. Combination was lamentably absent, and the wings failed to feed the forwards. The A team secured possession from nearly every line-out, and, aided by this, Goo. Strack put on two Eoals in quick succession in the second spell. Davies, Murphy, and Sheeran were considerably hampered through ( tho bad nlay of their te-ain already referred to. They were,, however, tho mainstays of the B teaui. .. . ■-.- .. . '•' ' .. - •.-,- .■ , i•.,..-

Exit—Day's Bay. To-day the first representative challenge match for the shield takes placo. Iu former years all representative matches w*ro decided at Day's Bay, and the trip across the bay was one in which tho pleasure, of tho players and interested spectators was somewhat at the mercy of the elements. This year, however, tho prospect of a "bad trip across" the water is not to be feared. Karori Park is the chosen battle ground. ■ Those Forwards! Our peaceful hockey atmosphere has been somewhat disturbed during the last day or so. Someone "pulled the trigger" and then the local enthusiasts were set on the move, the topic of conversation being "tlio 1-lawko's Bay forwards"—when they got going nothing would stop them, and so on. Thus went the talk. This year's Hawke's Bay team, is no doiibt oi'io of tho strongest that could be sent away on tour by the sumny province. That their forwards are something to be reckoned with wo know, but what about tlisir backs? Tho Wellington forwards are the strongest that we could muster, and if they break through, say, led by Campbell or Ci. Strack, then what about the Hawke's Bay backs that wo have heard so little of? About "Ours." ■ Now for tho local representatives. In tho first place, tho selectors havo well earned tiro congratulations of local clubs dud followers of the game. The team chosen represents the oest hockey in Wellington at the present time. In tho matter of selecting a left-full-back, tho selectors were faced with ft problem. M'Eldowney, tho man chosen lor this place, was tho only one of a poor set of left-fulls that came under the eye of the selectors. Ho cannot be styled as brilliant, nor is he poor, but it is hoped that he will bring himself right out to-day, and ho would bo well advised if he does not placo too much dependence on the front rank. / Glancing at tho local representatives, it will be seen that Wellington's chances mainly depend on their front ranks. In this connection we have little to fear. Campbell may bo termed a veteran representative, and George Strack and his brother, Con, can be confidently looked to for some scoring, particularly George. He is tho goal-gotter of tho team, and should he fail to find tho net—well, thero will bo something wrong—radically wrong. With George Strack playing centre, and his brother playing inside-right, we can reasonably suppose that tho spectators will bo well provided for.' Campbell's inclusion needs no comment. Ho is in his right place, and his past performances in representative matches spsak for themselves. The writer is confident that he will not let the shield go if he can stop it. As for the other members of tho team, it can bo confidently stated that each has earned his place, and; given favourable condition!:, they should givo an excellent account of themselves. Protest Uphold. O,n Monday evening last the Wellington Association heiird a protest from the Wellington junior team. Tho protest was the outcomo of tho game having been played ten minutes over time, in which lime K.Y.M.I. (their opponents) scored a gop.l. After hearing what the rofereo had to sty (lie committee upheld tho protost, and ordered tlio game to be replayed.