Hockey

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 141, 1 July 1937, Page 15

Hockey

HASTINGS GAMES Pirates at Head of Championship Ladder PLAY AND PLAYERS The Hastings Sub-Association's mid-week competition was advanced another stage last Thursday when the second series of games in the second round were played. The games resulted: — Pirates (6) beat Karori (1). Huia (3) beat United White (1). ings; J. Flynn, Hastings. Waimarama (5) beat United Gold (4). JUNIOR, Pirates (1) beat High School (nil). Karori (3) beat United Blue (nil.) The positions of the teams are now as'follow: —

A game between High School 'and United Blue is yet to be played. It is rather a surprise to find Pirates at the head of the championship table. However, they are to be congratulated on retaindng the club epirit and keeping their team together. They have not yet fielded a short team. Unfortunately this cannot be said of some of the other senior teams. It is to be hoped, however, that the position will be retnedied soon. Huia this season have included quite a number of younger players. It ia good to see these younger players promoted, and although it may weaken Huia, they will eventually work up a good combination. With such seasoned playere as Tau Hemapo, Staples, and Rodgers in the team they will get the right education. It is pleasing to see Waimarama continuing to travel all the way into Hastings to take part in the competitnon, and they are fielding a good combination. They will be a hard nut to crack from now on. United started off the season well,, but lately they have not come up to expectations. ^However, no team can expect to win if they cannot acquire a little finish in the circle. Time and time again in reCent games they have had golden opportunities of scoring, but the ball has been hit everywhere but in the right place. Junior Players. Karori, the leading team in the junior grade, are a good combination. Their forwards are fast and combine well. In addition, their full-backs are particularly safe. Piratee will haye ; to do their best in their next game, when they play Karori, as a loss in this gaine will spoil their chances of winning the competition. "Sticks" hears that this team is losing Pepper. His place 'will be hard to fill. United Blue are a team of triers, but show a laek of combination. A little coachdng will mould them into a good little team. High Sehool, this season, have not had much luck, but all their games havo been very cloee. Pars on Players. Mahoney (Unifed White) played his last game last Thursday before leaving for Australia as captain of the All Blacks. His final appearance showed that his physical fitness will stand him in good stead on the hard tour ahead of him. He was a source of annoyafiee to the Huia forwards. Tiopera (Huia) ie a promoted junior. He played his earlier hockey for High School and fills tbe left wing forward position well. His stick work is triclcy and Fe gets his centres across well. Boyle (United White) has, up till recently, played in goal. Last Thursday he played in the forwards and turned on a good game. He used two hands on his stick instead of one. Tutaki (Pirates) has turned out consistently and played brilliant hockey in thq centre-half position. He is a tower of strength to his team. Matthews (Huia) is another promoted junior who plays in the forward line, and his goal against United Gold the week before last was a pretty piece of play. J. August (lYaimarama) is one of the veterans dn hockey, and the way he holds his team together is a credit to him. His liockey is as good as ever. McKerrill (Uiiited Gold) lias turned out again, and one could almost say, in full force, a* he is carrying a lot of condition. 'l'Lis, however, does not. prevent him from playing his usual good game. United will be pleased xo have him in action again. Parkhill (Pirates) has turned on some brilliant lcoeping in goal this season. He is largeiy responsible for his team's position in the cqmpetition. Davidson (Karori) is pvobal.lv one of the most solid backs in the junior competition. Earely does the ball get past him, and he has the right idea wlie.n to pay on the wood. Kcmp (Pirates) plays a good game. but he would improve his play if he would drop the idea of trying to flick tlie ball in the air when stopping a pass: S. MacDonald (Pirates) is a good

5> type of forward and has scored his share of goals. Playing in the centre forward position, he feeds has outside forwards liberally. It is throwing the ball about like this that makea it so hard for the opposing backs to know which forward to taclde. Players Note. Hitting the ball in the air is not permissible if dt is dangerouB to other players. The only interference with sticks permissible is the placing of the stick between an opponent 's stick and the ground, bu.t the stick interfered with must be within striking distance of the ball. Lifting or knocking up an opponent 's stick ig a Dreach of this rule. No player can, in any circumstances, be offside in his own half of the ground. : When striking at the ball, no part of the stick shall be xaised abov'e the shoulder, either at the beginning or at the end. of a stroke. No free hit shall he taken Within five yards of a goal post. - * If the ball rebounds off the goal post or cross-bar it shall remain in play. 1

P. W. L. D. Pts. Pirates ... — 7 6 1 — 12 Huia 7 4 2 1.9 United Gold . 7 4 2 1 9

Karori ...... 9 7 0 2 16 Pirates 9 6 1 2 14 High School .8 1 7 — 2 United Blue .8 1 7 — 2 A

JUNIOR.