Hockey.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8194, 22 May 1906, Page 7

Hockey.

(By "Half-back") The difference in the strength of the forward divisions decided the game between Old Boys and Awapuni last week, and yet, paradoxical a 8 the statement may seem, the Old Boys have seldom been so ineffective in the circle. Again and agam their passing rushes were without result, sometimes because of the defensive work of Spencer and Watson, generally because the attacking forwards left their combination outside the circle, got in one another's way, and shot wildly It waß only their circle work that was so bad. Their play up field was good, and on many occasions their passing badJy beat the opposing backs. A line-of fast forwards, playing the passing game, will beat the best set of backs. The Old Boys combine better than any other team here. The Awapum forwards had no combination, and their breakaways were generally due to the sprinting efforts of their left-winger, A. Sorensen. The other forwards followed up iu a leisurely, single-file' order, and were usually wanting when the ball was centred. A little more attention to the ball, and a little less to the man, would improve Jim Slack's play. Wilson, on the right wing, hadn't a chance to do anything, for the backs were apparently under orders to feed Sorensen only. The half back line—Jack Slack, H. Sorensen, and Goil—was the strength of the team. Slack was about the best. Spencer, in goal, had a lot to do. and brought off some fine saves. He's still a bit slow, though, m getting rid of the ball. Webb, Crump, and D. Fraser were the best of the Old Boys' forwards. B. Drew was up against Jack Slack, and their duel was rather interesting to the onlooker. K. Drew is a very solid half. There's little to choose between linn and E. Eraser. Jones, playing full back in the absence of Adams, speculated successfully and hit splendidly. Phoenix were always playing a winning game against Feildirig, who were rather weakly represented. The local team set a very fast pace and indulged in some pretty passing work, the wings, Amos and Ekstedt, showing to advantage. The former played better than in any previous match this season. Phoenix have unearthed a fine " bully " in Wood, who scores in every match. An experienced centre-half would much increase rhe effecth eness of the forward line. On the whole the Phoenicians are a good, even lot, and will of a certainty trouble Old Boys next week. The play of the Feilding team shqws but little improvement. Their backs must be smarter in getting rid of the ball, and should remember that in fielding the use of the hands is preferable to the use of the legs. Also, the forwards must lose their irresolution when in the circle. Last week Goldsbury, McLean, and Pierpoint did good work, but were badly supported. Pioneer-Y.M.C.A. opened their winning account last week, but they had nothing to beat, for this year's High School team bears no comparison with that combination of lively youths who wore the black and white last season. The winners tried a new formation, doing away with the goalkeeper and playing four halves. Tnis disposition wasn't tested last week, but it will be to-morrow against Awapuni. On paper it seems to make for a strong attack, but on the field it may make for a deal of confusion, with the centre halves in the way of the wings. Boon, who shot three goals, and Waldegrave were the pick of the winners' forwards. McMurray is better placed in the half line. About the best feature of the match was the play of the diminutive High School goalkeeper. He stopped them like a veteran, particularly one clinking shot by Bell, which the boy caught breast high and sent behind. Waldegrave and Inder were the best of ! the others.

From the standpoint of hockey, the junior thatches last week left a deal to te desired, but the earnestness of the players, and the obvious rivalry between the teams, lent a rather picturesque willingness to the games. Mitchell, C. Allen, Pitt, and Bheerin (Old Boys), Simmons, Walkley, and Lowe street school), and a full-back and a forward oE the High School team (names unknown to me) are boys of promise. C. Fraser, of Awapuni, is well worth a trial in the first team. He fields and hits better than many a senior. The Horowhenua sub-union will soon be in working order, and will m all probability consit of four clubs. The suggestion is rriade that the final for the Dawick Shield between the best teams of the two unions be a threematch. fixture, two to be played at Palmerston and one at Levin. The progress of hockey in New Zealand of late years has been most marked, and it seems that in England, too, the game has caught on. Mr Hobertson, of Wellington, who is one of the Rhodes scholars at Oxford, in a recent letter, says of the games there " Of course rugger and soccer are the two most important _ games, as the representatives in the 'Varsity match obtain their blues. Hockey for which a half blue is given, is also very popular and Beems to be played more and more every year. In this connection it is interesting to note that some of the big public schools are taking up hockey between the football and cricket seasons."