HOCKEY HAPPENINGS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 253, 17 June 1932, Page 6

HOCKEY HAPPENINGS

APPARENT LACK OF INTEREST IN PRESENT SEASON'S COMPETITION. CLUB OFFICIALS BLAMED. (Notes by "Sticks.") It is regrettable that, due to the lack of interest being taken by some players in their clubs, tbe standard of hockey displayed this season falls far short of that seen last year. Last Saturday two teams were seen to be playing short and in consequence the class of hockey played was uninteresting to the spectators and players alike. It is granted that in some cases certain players were, through no fault of their own, rnable to attend the matches, but the fault appears to rest with those respcnsible for the management of the clubs, in that they are content to let matters continue as they have been during the season by allowing the club strength to remain on a basis of a bare eleven players, instead of getting about and recruiting new members to fill the vacancies. It matters not if these new players have never previously played the game, the idea being to build up a strong club and cater for players who will take a real interest in the game. I am loth to suggest that the uncertainty, on account of disfcance and finance, of the Rotorua Association team participating in the Dominion tourpament this year, is the reason for players lack of interest, but I am sure of the point that if it is decided to enter for the championships, the departure of the side will rest entirely with the financial assistance that clubs are able to give the Association towards the expenses of the trip. It is, of course, only reasonable that players should subsidise the funds collected with the assistance of the public by mernbers of the exccutive committee of the Association, who derive no benefit out of the many hours which they gratuitously give to the control of the game. Players Prominent. Amy Bishop made a welcome reappearance for Mamaku last Saturday and for the first outing this season played quite a good stick. The leadership she lent to the forward line enabled it to malce a better attacking force than has been evident in earlier games. The consistent form of T. Mitchell and J. Chaytor in the Shamrock back division against Hinemoa was entirely responsible for the leading team averting defeat at the hands of the improving Hinemoa side on Saturday. The only teams to approach the form expected from senior grade sides on Saturday were Mourea and Arawa. Both sides indulged in spirited exchanges which made the game fast from start to finish. Mourea missed the services of B. Teua at left fullback, but the two goals secured by Arawa were that well executpd f1 they could hardly have been avoided. The value of R. Ipu's services to the Mourea side was demonstrated by the smart shot she put into the Arawa goal as a result of a penalty corner. For Whippets, N. McKibbon, L. Morton and J. McKibbon in goal, were the best players, a pleasing feature being the improved play of the firstnamed. Position of Teams. With one more series of matches in the Robertson Cup competition to be played, the position of teams is as follows: Taniwha have played one game less than Shamrocks. Shamrocks, 10 points; Taniwha, 8; Arawa, 6; Mourea, 4; Mamaku, 4; Hinemoa, 2; Whippets, 0. Corner Hits. In order to recompense an attacking team for the action of a defending player in saving a dangerous situation by hitting the ball over her own goal-line, corner hits are provided for in the rules of hockey. There are two distinct corner hits allowed, one, the penalty corner, being taken from any position not less than ten yards from the nearest goal post, and the other a long hit from within three yards of the corner flag. The decision of the penalty necessary rests with the interpretation of the referee as to the intention of the player playing the ball behind her line, the rules providing that where, in his opinion, the ball is unintentionally sent behind the line by a defender from any spot behind the twentyfive, a long corner should be given. This penalty is also applicable in the case of a shot by any player which glances off the stick or person of a defender and crosses the back line. Should a defender, from a spot behind her twenty-five line, intentionally hit the ball over her own goalline, the only possible penalty is the shorter corner hit to the attacking team. On the awarding of either class of corner hit, the defending team must immediately retire to behind their own goal-line, the usual practice being for the goalkeeper and two fullbacks to occupy the goal mouth while the other mernbers of the side range themselves on either side of the net. The forwards of the attacking team take up positions round the circle line with the halves covering them behind. The question of the attacking player to hit the ball from the corner is a matter for decision by the captain of the team. The feet and sticks of both the attackers and the defenders must be behind the circle and goal-lines at the moment that the hit is taken, and no defender may stand within five yards of the player taking the hit from the corner. We now come to an important point which is apparently scarcely known by players and which oftan causes surprise to them when they are penalised. Ilt is that an attacker receiving the ball from the corner may not attempt to shoot at goal unless the ball has been stopped before the hit is taken. Some players endeavour to satisfy the rule by allowing the ball to glance off their stick to another of their side who takes the hit without stopping the ball. This does not constitute a "stop" and should be penalised. — is, however, not necessary to stop the ball absolutely motionless and providing the pace is taken off the ball so~that the shot at goal will not be unduly dangerous, no penalty will be awarded. As in the case of a free hit, a player taking the corner hit may not again play the ball until it has been played by another player. Likewise, if the pTayer hit at, but miss the ball, j a sec.ond attempt may be made.