HOCKEY NOTES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20025, 25 August 1939, Page 9

HOCKEY NOTES

AUCKLAND SELECTION

WAIROA ADDITIONS MADE

WATOHM AN UNA VAIL A LEE

GLOW TO PROSPECTS

By “Slicks” A severe blow to the Poverty Bay prospects of extending Auckland in the game for the New Zealand Challenge Shield on September 23 came when if was known that Reg. Watchman, who won his All Black jersey last year, would be unable to travel with the team. The Poverty Bay forward line, although it did not do its best against Wairoa last Saturday, was expected to develop into the strongest vanguard the district has had for many years. The flashes of brilliance shown in the second spell against Wairoa confirmed this view.

Watchman's place at centre will be taken by a Wairoa man, M. Edwards, who opened up the game well and displayed good circle work. Judging by his form last Saturday, lie should be an acquisition to the team. T. Gcmmell, the other Wairoa man. also should help to strengthen the halves, his performance on Saturday being noted for sound stopping and good judgment in clearing. Although Poverty Bay's exhibition on Saturday was somewhat disappointing, it must be remembered that the side was making its first appearance of the season as a team, and a few outings together should make a wonderful difference. The only trouble is that the Wairoa men will have no opportunity of working with the Gisborne members to develop ■combination.

A Long Season

Clu-b hockey will be resumed tomorrow with an alteration in the draw. The meeting of Caledonian with Y.M.C.A. and Foresters A with Waituhi should provide interesting hockey. Gisborne has been fortunate with club hockey this season, which has proceeded without a postponement, whereas up to this time last year there had been several, no less than five successive postponements having been suffered during July and early in August. The season will be a long one, following an early start and the prospects of a late finish. Four matches are still to be played in the men’s A grade, and providing there ar e no interruptions these should be completed on the Saturday prior to -the shield match in Auckland. The season has been notable for the number of older player's who are still on the active list. Some have been threatening to retire for several years now, but they are still going strong, performing as well as and sometimes better than most of the younger men. Among the Veterans Foresters A have the greatest number of these men, including 11. Le Bas, H. K. Swan, G. Graham, G. -File and A. Wilson. One of them, Swan, has a son playing against him in the senior A grade. Graham is the most versatile of the lot, and he has played in every position on the field and has occupied most of them this season, putting up a good showing on eacli occasion. As a goalkeeper, he has put up some excellent performances, and, like- A. Douglas, Caledonian, another occasional custodian, rivals A. Coker. Y.M.C.A., who has again won repreI sentative honours. One of the older players who has threatened to resign for a number of years is J. Turbitt, Caledonian. He stood on the sideline for part of last season, but was brought into the team again, and has played in most of the games this season. Like the others mentioned, he is still in good form. Secondary Schools’ Tournament

The Gisborne High School team was unfortunate in -striking very soft grounds in the secondary schools’ tournament in and the conditions were so bad that apparently the games resolved themselves into a digging contest. The Gisborne team is light and young, and under such conditions, particularly after corning off grounds that without exception had been hard throughout the season, it is little wonder that they suffered defeat. Towards the end of the week, when the turf was drying out somewhat, their performances were much better. Although suffering a series of defeats, the experience will be valuable. Most of the players may Ibe at school again next year, and if so there should be a wonderful difference in the playing strength. Also, if they strike good grounds to suit their style of play at the tournament next year, Gisborne should be well up in the list.