THE HOCKEY REPRESENTATIVE TEAM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2262, 6 August 1908, Page 2

THE HOCKEY REPRESENTATIVE TEAM.

[To the Editor.] Sir, —I beg to offer a few criticisms on the representative hockey team. I do not intend to criticise each player, but to make a few remarks regarding the following: Pine (Te Ban): A first-rate player, I admit, and well worth his inclusion in the team; but why play him centre forward? Would it not have been wiser to play him in the position lie knows, viz., wing forward? Grant (Kia Kaln): Has been playing centre forward all the season, and is a. first-class bully. Why play him out of his place by placing him" wing .half ? _ • . ■ McLean (Kia Kahn) : As has already been said, wants to hit harder and fall back when he is beaten, two vital points in back play which this player admittedly Jacks. Also, if I mistake not, this player has been playing in the half line all the season. Then why place him full-hack? In my opinion J. Dovle is by far the better man for this position, as he is not only acquainted with the place, but has represented the Association on five occasions previously, ami has proved himself one of Die most solid hacks in the Bay. In conclusion, I would also like to remark on the strong element of Kia Kalia in the team, and cannot understand why this club should have seven representatives, while "West End, who are leading in the shield competition, only have two. This, no doubt, can be explained by the strong representation the Kia Kalia Club lias on the Selection Committee. In my opinion the Selection Committee might have endeavored to pick a team which would have answered more to the term “representative.”—l am, etc., “CLEFT ASH.”