HOCKEY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 466, 18 May 1912, Page 5

HOCKEY.

OPENING THE SEASON

The opening of the hockey season in Te Kuiti touk place at Cotters' paddock on Thursday under ideal weather conditions. There were two matches played—the ladies playing a Captain v. Vice-captain match, and the men Thursday v. Saturday teams clusions. Exceptionally good form

was shown in both games for so early in the season, and in the ladies' club there is the material for a real good team which should, with a little more combined play, hold their cv/n against any team in the Waikato or King Country. With few exceptions last year's players were in good form and the newcomers of the club showed a very fair conception of the game, but there was one outstanding feature which should be carefully attended to by the girls, an<i that is the number of "sticks'" given. With a little careful practice players will soon be able to hit a ball fairly and hard without committing a breach in this respect. It would be somewhat premature it criticise the play of individual members so early in the season, but in future games a full critique will appear irf these columns with the hope that players will profit by seeing their mistakes explained in print. The game on Thursday was very fast and ended in a draw—no score being registered on either side. The Thursday v. Saturday men's match revealed the fact that here are several very keen exponents of the game new to Te Kuiti hockey of previous years. The gams W2S also very fast with glimpses of combine<l play, more particularly in the Thursday team, Brewer and Molloy playing to each other in fine style. The Thursday team possessed more old players than their opponents, but the Saturday team, with careful coaching and attention to the rules, should be their equal, as they were more fleet of foot and should try and combine more. One outstanding feature of the match was the amount of talking going on on bolh sides. Players should remember that the referee is there to adjudicate on the rules, and if he be an impartial man. all the appealing does not affect him one way or the other. Players should also bear in mind that the referee has a discretionary power—the advantage rule—and very often a breach of a rule is to the advantage of the other side, and it follows that the whislte is not blown. There is no doubt that a referee cannot see everything, but it goes without saying that there is nothing more obnoxious both to the referee and onlookers to hear a one-voice apeal from all over the field. There is one man to appeal on either side—the captain. Howeve-, a word to the wise should be sufficient. This game also ended in a draw—two goals eauh.

After the games the players were treated to afternoon tea by the ladies, and needless to say, was much enjoyed. There was a good attendance of the public, which took a keen interest in the games. After the refreshments, on behalf of the men players and public present, Mr Gosnell, returned thanks to the ladies for their hospitality, and said he hoped that many more such pleasant afternoons would be spent before the hockey season concludes. The following will represent the ladies' club in their match against Te Awamutu on June 3rd:—Goal. —R. McKay: full-backs, C. Bayley and L. Boddie; half-backs, C. Boddie, V. Ellison and B. McDonald; forwards, G. Nicholl, McKay, J. McDonald, L. McKenize. M. Bayley; emergencies, Funke, C. McKenzie and Carr.