HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1830, 16 August 1913, Page 12

HOCKEY.

[BY "Built-OFP."] THE GAME WITH SOUTHLAND, Battles in Prospect. Tho Southland team having been disposed of very satisfactorily it now behoves us to prepare for tho Otago men. August 30 is tho date allotted for this clash, and then, if the visitors fail to lift the shield, Auckland will dispatch, a team. Auokland, however, it is understood, have a fairly weak combination this year, so that Wellington's prospects of retaining the shield appear decidedly cheery. Arrangements are al9o on foot for a visit of a Canterbury representative team to have a "try out" with the local men, but, of course, tho result will have no bearing on the shield. In all probability this game will take place on August 27 (Wednesday). Early in September a representative junior team from Canterbury is alro expected to arrive. "The Braw Soothland Men." Dash, and vigour in plenty the Southland men brought along with, them but finish and smartness were not in their repertoire. Try as they would, they could not score. And there was no bad luck about it. Their artillery was obsolete, heavy, and cumbersome, and they possess no such things as Maxims. Among the backs they showed some promise. Tliey were hard hitters, and by this means frequently defence into attack at a moment's notice. At times, however, tho suddenness of the local forwards surprised them greatly. But, taken all round, they were a good team, and if they rehearse a few of the points which the Wellington men showed them, they might easily become a very tough proposition, Wellington's Four Fine Goals. The goals shot by Wellington (all in. tho first spell) were four of the finest one could- wish to see. The first came from the stick of Boyd. There was a skirmish in tha circle, and tho ball trickled out near Boyd. Before the proverbial "Jack Robinson" could be named, it had happened, and Wellington wero one up. 0. Straclc and Kobbie were jointly responsible for the second, after a very clover passing exhibition, and Boyd shot another slashing goal shortly afterwards. These threo had been, good, but when Griffiths's turn came, he surpassed everything. Ho was standing quietly surveying the turmoil about / the goal-mouth, from well out on the wing, when the ball came upon him. With a smartness that would have done credit to a clockwork soldier, he sprang into action, and smote the ball straight into the goal. It would havo beaten a whole army of goalkeepers, and all things considered, Strang (in-goal for the visitors) must consider himself lucky that he omitted to interrupt its pasGage. Fino Defence of the Backs. The Wellington backs were as safe as the forwards were dangerous. To tho attacks of file opposing forwards they were veritable brick walls. Thompson and Pullyn were awarded with enthusiastic. applause on ono or two occasions. One'of Thompson's efforts was especially spectacular. It was when Dwyer had deserted his po3t, and tho ball was sailing for the gaiiing goal-mouth. Nothing short of surprising was tho speed with which Thompson scuttled after that ball and smackod it out of danger. At another

time also he was responsible for a timely "save." This time, however, it was pressure of business tliat took Dwyer out of goal, and Thompson again proved himself a worthy understudy. Pullyn is awardod a bouquet for dealing in brilliant style on occasion when his side was in deep distress. The rest of the rar division played fine defensive games, The GoaNkeepinfl of one Dwyer. Dwyer, tho Wellington goal-keeper, gave a great exhibition. He could do notliing wrong, and his manner of olearing proved both disconcerting to his opponents and amusing to the spectators, unoehe not only "saved" brilliantly, but kicked the bail clean out of the paddock, and then again, later on, with real oucumber coolness, he stepped out to an approaching ball and booted it fair over the -heads of a bunch of struggling forwards. There was onoe, however, when Dwyer was caught badly. With the joy of victory upon him, he sauntered far out into the fiold, and a sudden return of tho enemy made him look nearly as "small" as ho doubtless felt. . Strang, in-goal for the visitors, also gave a line performance. The four goals that were registered against him would have beaten anybody. / Side-Line Chatter. A valuable addition to the ranks of looal enthusiasts will be Mr. W. Hobertson, late of Southland, who has been transferred to Wellington. Mr. itobertBon, it is understood, is an ex-president ot thia Southland Hockey Association, bosides being a referee of some repute. G. Straok, probably the most prolifio goal-scorer in Wellington, has turiously enough lailod to liud the net in either ot tne shield matcnea this season. There is still the Otago match untouched, however. Tne junior gome, Kilbirmio Anglican and Wellington A, will be played as a "curtain-raiser" to tho Otago Shield match. • iteprosentative player Thompson has. it is understood, given the game best. His

place m the team to play Otago will probably bo taken by his namesake of Victoria College team. To-day Metropolitan, will play the Victoria College men. IV) beat tno wearers of the green is Metropolitan's fondest hope, forlorn as it may 6eein, The Hockey of the Ladies. Tho scries of trial matches were advanced another stage lost Saturday, and as is usual in these games play was anything but bright. The win of the A team was due mostly to the work of their backs who played a fine defensive game, and also fed their forwards in good style. She Who Hesitates — Tho forwards played a fair gamo in the open, but then shooting was. very poor, chances being missed repeatedly by players hesitating before taking a 6hot. If goals are to be scored tho forwards will have to remember that the main point is quickness. In this game players would got in tho circle with no opponents near them, but by the time they had decided to shoot thoy wore invariably tackled by one of the backs who had got back quickly. . Tho strength of tho B beam was just the opposite to tho A team, in that the "By hod good forwards, but received very littlo support - from their books. These backs hit hard, but with very little judgment; the ball over and ovor again was driven direct to an opposing back who took the opportunity of putting her own forwards into motion.. Trial Games—Ad Lib. It is tho intention of tho soleotors, it is understood, to play some more trials after to-day's matches, and if suoh is the case "Bully-Off" would suggest that the selectors should pick their team, and give them a chance to muster up some combination before thoy leavo far the front.

To an obseirver, thore seems to be the makings of a very fair reprwumtativo team this year, and it behoves the powers that be to give the team .every opportunity of proving its worth. If the idea were practicable, "Bully-Off" would lite to see the team pivon a little coaching in the trials as it is only in matches that their faults can be remedied. The Big Tournament. From what can bo gathered, this year's tournament should bo a huge success, the number of teams entering being, if anything, gTeater than last year. . From all accounts, Hawke's Bay and Wairavapa, the present holders, will both bo strongly represented again. Nelson, the 1011 winners, will be among tho absentees this year, which is to be ref netted,. as they have always been a team ard to bsa.t. Southland, who were among the missinß last year, will make the trip, and it seems they are very confident of success. Another team thnt will provide some interest to. the spectators is the Poverty Bay. The hockey played by thom last year was one of the features of the series, and a win. for them would bo most popular,