HOCKEY.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 30 April 1920, Page 2

HOCKEY.

IE HOBO (!) V. OTAMI (3). A hockey match that proved or interest, and which was the means of opening the season locally, was played at To Horo on Wednesday between a local combination and a team from Otaki. Both tides were below form, but tb; was not to be wondered at. but, nevertheless, patches of good play were often witnessed. There was, however, much inferier pi ay. but players will benefit by the game. Both sides attempted combination, bat the rough nature o: the ground proved a big obstacle, -topping the ball was at-o weak—also due to the ground: hitting, at times, was-

shocking, while players lacked dash and energy. There was but little ginger :r: the play, and the back.*, generally, were far too slow in getting the bail away, while the forwards attempted short passing rushes when a straightout hit would have been much more adveatsgenss. OtakS were the chief offenders} ic this respect- and the forvraZfc would do we-ii to remember that to centre «S?2 J» she “rele Aoaid be a prominent feafsre, T7T:o L play should contain energy and hits : allowed. It was a common practice, and has Been so for sea-on-, to see a player attempt to shoot a goal, and then look on—ln hope that the ball would r in** bt-tw&en the post-. Many a goal—an A games- —have been in-si through this. In the fir-t half the play was well up and down the field, and two goafs were scored by each side. On opening the treoad half Otaki scored, and led 3—2, but before the spell eiyied Tc Hero added two, and made the game 4 —S in their favour. Mr H. Nicoisen. was referee. To individualise players would be unfair, cut special soearioa should be made of Bay 'Wiaflley who ri*.y»d

splendidly i\pr Te Horo. Hisl all-round knowledge of the game was much above the avjerage. Several other lumbers; ot the sicam. some mere boys, also played well, and are the making of fin* players. W«? hope to have more to ray about the fbtaki boys after futur* matches, bijet in the meantime the backs shoulifl learn to atop and hit harder and Ojuicker. while the forward? should indulige in more criep playing in and near th)e circle. In mid-field they should do artray with their short patting across ffleld. and hit, generally, for tho circle. ’Ta tell players to follow up should not b'e needed. Another thing is to keep positions, and above all for players to ‘i keep their heads.”

Mr John Kirk, an officer of the Otaki Hockey CluW, has donated 100 (id to the club’s funds?

As a resultt of an iujury to his knee in Wednesday's match it is probable that Percy (Patching will be unable to again play for some weeks.