HOCKEY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 387, 21 May 1908, Page 3

HOCKEY.

[by “ DRIVER.”] Keen disappointment will be felt by local players when they learn that the match against Manawatu to have been played on Saturday next, is iudifinitely postponed. The Secretary of the Manawatu Association complains that he cannot get the required number to make the trip, owing, he states, to the difficulty of a large number being unable to obtain the necessary leave.

This may be all very well — Foxlon seems to be treated alike in all branches of sport. The reason as far as I can see is that the local reps, in any sport whatever are held too lightly and seldom yet has a rep. match of any sort been played here —except football —with Palmerston. To represent Foxton a player has to lose a whole day to make the trip to Palmerston and.to my knowledge not one match of any sort has been abandoned. Tfie other side of the tale reveals a very different state of affairs, however, and never a protest have I heard ventilated except in terms unprintable. Iby no means confine myself to the hockey when stating this grievance—cricket and tennis are chief mourners — but enough said —I hope the Manawatu reps, will see their way to get down here soon and place themselves in the good books of local sports of all kinds. I hope to see all players out to practice in earnest. The new blood especially require a good deal of running and hitting. Some of them are making good progress indeed and give promise of good players. , What is the matter with Moutoa ? After the successful season last year they have curled up and gone to sleep while their lesser opponents are at least a month ahead of them. Have they not recovered from the effects of last year’s five aside ? Wake up and give us a taste of a game.