SHIELD MATTERS.

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 40, 16 August 1919, Page 12

SHIELD MATTERS.

On 26th July Manawatu won the Hockey Challenge Shield from Wellington by three goals to one. Unfortunately for them, however, Canterbury—perhaps the strongest hockey team in New Zealand this year—were then first challengers, and it is little wonder that they were defeated at Palmerston North on Saturday last. Canterbury thus became the holders of the Shield, and it will not be at all surprising if they retain it for the remainder of the year. Summing ,up Saturday's match,, the Manawatu"Daily Times -ays:—"Canterbury's victory was well deserved, for they were undoubtedly the better team. The game was very fast, and the exhibition was one of the finest yet seen here. The Canterbury team was particularly' strong in both the forward and back divisions. Perrinand Cousins, the Manawatu right back and goalkeeper respectively, did brilliant defensive work." From the report iii the Palmerston journal, it appears that the play was. of a fairly even nature. All the scoring was done in the first spell, Holland and Beator securing goals for the winners, and Tucker scoring Manawatu's only goal.

In connection with the Shield games, a rather unfortunate position has arisen. It has been the custom in the past to present the shield the same day as it was won, but when Manawatu defeated Wellington, this could not be done, as the wire from the New -Zealand Association containing the necessary instructions, was delayed. That could have been excused, but the Manawatu association has not yet seen the shield; in fact, they have lost it before they possessed it. . This question was discussed at the smoke concert following the Can-terbury-Mn]iawatu match at Palmerston on Saturday. Mr, L. Jackson, in proposing the toast of the New Zealand Association, criticised the association to come extent for their apparent "bungling" in regard to the shield. Manawatu, he said; was desirous of possessing the shield for a week or so. Mr. Holland, in responding to the'toast of the "Shield Winners," said that he was unable to agree with Mr. Jackson's suggestion. The most generous thing that they could do was 'to take it to Christchurch with them for. a week or so, and then send it back to Palmerston for a fortnight. The position is unfortunate, and it would be seen that the blame must be with the New Zealand Association. This body should take steps to see that all is in order for the next Shield match.