HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1818, 2 August 1913, Page 12

HOCKEY.

[Br "Bully-off."]

THE SHIELD IN SOME DEMAND. Gome, Gone, and Lost. Last weak players nnd interested ones were a little ptrLurbcil over repoits of the "strength and generalship" of tho Hawke's Bay pack. Well, tho team irith the dashing forwards lmvo gono homo— without the shield. When the bubble reputation has been resolutely pricked, one saw, quite dearly, that tho invaders' van was a pretty poor lot—the poorest, perhaps, that the sunny province has ever sent here (or anywhere) to contest a shield. This discovery, combined with the indifferent'combination, of the local men, killed interest as soon as tho (jime was half an hour old.

Tho standard of play was much below that set in any previous representative match played here. Occasionally "Con" Strack's stick and Dwyer's right foot "did things," livening u.p proceedings for a time, but, on tho whole, tho said "proceedings" seemed to bo out on strike or Something, for they steadfastly refused to lw spurred on to anything like general activity nnd "go." At times tho Wellington tcain showed up well, but anything along the lino of brilliant play was sadly—very sadly— missing. Possibly the ground may have had some effect. It. was patchy ill parts— so much so that tlw combatants suddenly found tlicir feet missing at times when the law of gravitation took a hand and laid theui prostrate.

Dwyer, "Horatius," and Others Throughout llio encounter Dwyer was the man for tho spectators. His method of g-oal-ker.pi.il),', wlieii pressed, nonplussed tho Hawke's Hay forwards. He was excellent, sticking to his work "when facign fearful odds." Now and then ono was faintly reminded of llacaulay's

"Horatius," and certain unpleasantnesses which ho experienced at the historic bridge to Rome. Pullyn, at right full, did uot settle down eoon enough in tho first

epell, but after lie "got his feet" lio livened considerably, putting in some good work. M'lvldowney from the start to the finish found ho had ample employment, acquitting himself well. G. Strack p'oyed a solid game, and in his capacity at "bully" ho divided honours with his rival. "Con" Strack tricked his opponents vcirv cleverly, being easily tho best forward 'on tho ground. In scoring the second goal for his side he sent ill :i s'liot t'vat seemed to come from tho cannon's mouth—the Il'av,-Ice's Bay goalkeeper knew little about it—very little. Far the remaining members of (lie team little fault can bo found, Robbie especially proving a sound investment.

Hawke's Bay Men and "Don'ts." Tho team from' tho East Coast was no doubt poor, and men like Maddisou, Tate-?, Carson, and Land need to study a little about t!ho' "don'ts" of luckey. If they did, their chances of wresting a shield from its present holders would perceptibly improve.

Wanted—the Shield. On August 9 Southland intends putting in a word for the coveted sliie.kl. It is 9tnte;l tho southerners liavo knitted a solid team together, and it is said t'hat they will prove a little "problematical" to the local men. At all events it is to bs hoped a better exhibition of representative hockey will Ire given in this conlust. than' what we saw last week. Should Wellington still retain tlio shield, Otago intends snsing what it can <10. After meeting the above tennis, Auckland will be an addition to the suitors for the shield. This match will take place on September 20, anad accounts from tho north are not disquieting. At present (so the writer is informed) tlio team to represent the northern centre is not as strong in all departments as former ones. To-day's Matchos. To-day the round, in the senior competition brains. Tlie teams are evenly matched. Karori and Victoria College try conclusions, also Government Life meet Metropolitan, and United play Wellington.