Hockey.

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 157, 4 July 1903, Page 25

Hockey.

The annual "rep." matches with Manaw aifcu are to be played to-morrow, on, the Show Ground, at Palmerston North, and the teams, senior and junior, leave by the early train, and will be accompanied by quite a, crowd of "barrackers." As usual, our junior team will meet the Manawatu B senior combination, as the country men do not run a junior competition. I have been, unable to get the final selections in time for this week, but aim informed

that the two A teams which played last Saturday will constitute the chosen. Preston, the senior goal-keep, has been unable to get the necessary leave, and so will not accompany the team. This is a great loss, as the genial "colt" (as he has been named, on account of has kicking propensities) is a veritable stone wall of defence, and his absence must tend to weaken the team. However, Pearson his substitute, has been showing good form throughout the season, and may be relied on to givj a good account of himself. Trial games were again the order of the day on Saturday, and really good form was shown by both "probables" and "possibles" in each class. I will deal with the senior frame first. The A team was the same as on the previous Saturday, with two exceptions — the substitution of Griffiths for Morpeth in the half line, as advocated in these columns last week, and the placing of Pearson m goal instead of Preston. The B team, however, was changed considerably Allan (Wellington) and McLean (United) taking the plaices of Pilkirtgton and Donovan in the forwards, Beere replacing Pone at fullback and the halves and goal being interchanged as above. The result was that the combination was materially strengthened and the A team had ' anything but the "cakewalk" they had indulged in in the first trial game. The first spell ended with the soorei three goals to nil in favour of the A team, but in the second half the B combination asserted themselves strongly, and when time was called had secured the only score in the spell. As> before, the A forwards worked together very well, and each at times was prominent in individual work. Organ is still inclined to wield his stick too wildly, especially in line work and moderation in ths respect would not at all mar the effectiveness of his play. Also. Davies was indulging in onehanded dribbling at times, a method ot play that cannot be countenanced. All the halves did well, Weybouxne being especially sound, and Griffiths quite justified has inclusion, though he was weak m backing up his full-backs when defending. Ashbolt and Claude Hiokson were as always, safe, as fullbacks, and Pearson was satisfactory m goal. The B forwards all played good games, and showed excellent combination, and had really hard luck in not registering a higher score. It would be invidious to single out any for mention where all so well so I will pass on to the halves. Morpeth and Reid, m this division, were very sound, and King, in the centre, defended well, though his passing is not canst) and sure enough in attack. The full-backs also did well, though Beere started badly. His game in the second spell, however, made up for this, and he broke up several nasty passing rushes by Smythe, Davies, and Co. in good style. Preston, in goal, was safe, as ever, his footwork being especially noticeable. A propos, in its account of the inter-Island match, the "Weekly Press" states that Preston can kick as far as he can hit. In the junior trial, improved form was shown by both teams, the A's particularly settling down to business in a workmanlike manner. The forwards, especially Cathie, Walters, and Aherne, did good work, and were ably assisted by the halves of whom Pearn was most notaoeable, his display being a great advance on his previous effort. The full-backs were not so good, and will require to "buck up" considerably if they are to stave off the country forwards they will meet to-morrow. The goal-keep (Pavitt) was sure, though not called upon to do much. Craig was the most successful of the B forwards, but I must confess to ignorance of the names of the majority of the team, so cannot give an all-round criticism. The performance of the goal-keep (Plimmer) however calls for praise.

Referring again to the "rep." matches, it is hard to prognosticate results on the meagre information to hand re the form of the Manawatu men. Nevertheless, I venture to prophesy thatoiur seniors will win. but am afraid I cannot hold out much hope for the juniors. The country men won this event last year, and in view of their reported improvement, I must pin my faith to them on this occasion. I append the names of the teams our men have to meet • — Seniors : I>rew, Webb, Cooper, McMurray, Bell, Strang, Slack, Tew, Scott, Fitt, and Luxford. Juniors • MoPherson, Waldegrave, Shortt, Cameron Fraser, Peterson, Sorenson, Wilson, Slack, Orumn, and Burbush.

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