HOCKEY

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 57, 4 September 1926, Page 22

HOCKEY

Br "Sticks" A CLOSE GAME

WELLINGTON V. WAIRARAPA

VISITOBS EXCEL PBEVIOUS FOBM. Although the senior A fixtures had concluded tho previous Saturday, there was plenty to interest enthusiasts, of the game on Saturday last in the two matches at the Basin Eeserve, the representative game between Wellington and Wairarapa being a particularly bright exhibition. It was not anticipated, prior to the match, that the local side would be seriously extended, since the visitors were in poor form in their previous meeting with Wellington on 29th May, and were beaten by 9 goals. Therefore, it was a pleasant surprise to find that the Wairarapa players, man for man, were little inferior to the Wellington side, and that they were quite willing to crowd on the pace. Their big fault, one that probably cost them the game, was a decided over-eagerness in the Wellington circle, pretty combination had worked play into- the local twenty-five. This was more apparent in the first spell, when two or three chances of scoring went begging. Wellington were not blameless in this respect. On one occasion, MacDouald took the ball down the field and out' on the left, where he sent across a beautiful centre, but support was lacking, and Tilson, in Wairarapa's goal, breathed again. Both forward lines gave a dashing display, and the wet ground seemed to affect fast play very little. S. Smith was the best forward in the visitors' team, and his two goals were netted after individual play which showed speed and a keen sense of the value of the back pass. Some weakness was apparent in the Wairarapa half-line, where the ball was not sent on to the forwards after being cleared by the fullbacks. The local forwards were quick to appreciate this weakness, and C. and W. Bannin, the visiting full-backs, were called upon time and again to give of their best on defence. They were largely responsible for preventing a higher score against their side. Of the Wellington team, Hull and Spiers were perhaps the most useful men, and they certainly had more work to do than their team-mates. The others all deserved their places. Perrin had fewer opportunities than usual, but he played his customary reliable game, and was a most satisfactory pivot for the team. Brennan further enhanced his reputation as a sound, cool goalkeeper. Poor Barracking. • Strong dissatisfaction was expressed at Monday's meeting of the W.H.A. with the poor attendance of supportters at last Saturday's game with Wairarapa at the Basin Beserve. The rer ■marks of members were particularly vehement, in view of'the fact that there was quite a number watching an' exposition of a rival code on the neighbouring ground. It is probable that more will be heard of this matter at the annual general meeting. Wellington v. Canterbury. This afternoon, the Wellington team which met Wairarapa on Saturday, is playing Canterbury at Christchurch in a challenge match for the New Zealand Shield. Owing to the visit of the Indian Army team, there was no tournament this season, and to-day's game is the only one this year for the shield. Hatch Cup Match. The^ Wellington primary schools' team was unfortunate in failing to defeat Canterbury in a match for the Hatch Cup at Christchurch on Saturday, the final score being one-all. This trophy has been held by Canterbury ! for two or three seasons against several challenges by Otago. Wellington had much the better of the second spell and found the net twice, but were penalised for breaches. Mjmberß of the team speak highly of the hospitality acccorded them in the South. Senior B and Junior Games. The final series of games in the senior B and junior competitions aro being played this afternoon. In the former grade, Karori has a big lead, and the result of their match to-day can have no effect on the championship. Auckland Competitions Conclude. The series of matches for the Auckland Hockey Association championship were concluded at Bemuera- recently under favourable conditions. Spmerville met University and gained a win by 3 goals to 2, but the result is no criterion of play; a drawn game would have been a truer indication, says the '' Star." .. Mount Eden, by 1 goal to nil, just got .home ahead of the Colts, while Wesley brought off a great surprise by defeating Areta by the odd I goal in .-three. St. Luke's ran up 7 I goals to nil ,in the first spell against Stanley, the marine suburbs team being shorthanded. Notes. Manawatu did not prove the tough proposition they were thought to be when they met a Wellington senior eleven at Palmerston on Wednesday. Wellington had the advantage of the sun in the first spell, which ended 1-0, Lewer, the JCaarori player scoring. After the interval Manawatu maintained the aggressive, and equalised towards the end of the game. An amusing incident was seen when the Manawatu inside right raised his stick completely above his. head, and drove into the net a b,all which had been scooped up in clearance by a Wellington back. Prominent players for Wellington were: Taylor andYatcs of the forward line, Perrin (left full-back), and Harland and. Francis of tho halves. ■ The Manawatu team possessed very strong backs, but their forward line on tho right was not so good. The Wellington school boys' team retained the Cliffo Shield by drawing, 2-all, with Manawatu at Palmerston on Wednesday. \ Girls' hockey in Invercargill is being threatened with extinction as tho result of the opinion of doctors tKat young girls are affected by the strenuous exercise of the game, said Mr. G. T. Stevens, of that city, to "Sticks'" during the week. Only girls played hockey in the schools, he said, the boys preferring to indulge in Bugby and Soccer, but only three of the ten schools in Invercargill are still playing hockey. Ten years ago, great interest was taken in the game, but it now appeared that that interest was on the .wane. There were no men's teams, these having gone out of existence five or six years ago. Mr Stpvens was keenly interested in the ladies' tournament at Invorcargill, and ' commented interestingly on the high standard attained by the ladies at these tournaments.