HOCKEY NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 May 1938, Page 9

HOCKEY NOTES

FORM OF GREYTOWN TEAMS. COMMENT ON THE PLAY. (“Times-Age” Special.) Saturday was not a successful day for sport in Greytown, hockey teams meeting with only moderate success. The junior boys could not withstand the much heavier and bigger Wesley A team and went down by 7 goals to nil. The senior men were defeated by Dalefield and the senior ladies could manage only a draw. The junior boys played one of their best defensive games to date, improving greatly on their backing up. Lack of speed to catch the fast forwards of their opponents or to stem rush tactics was their downfall. Altogether, however, stopping, hitting, positional play and direction of passing were improved greatly. One thing the boys must learn, however, is to extend themselves. Not many have yet discovered how fast they can run or how much energy they can put into an effort. Fitness is improving. The boys hold their opponents well in the first half and then cannot maintain their stamina in the second. The senior ladies were lucky and yet unlucky. They were lucky in that Kiwi were not able to stage more breakaways than they did Once they got on attack it was only grim fighting that got Greytown out of trouble. The two local full-backs fought well. The local girls were unlucky not to goal more frequently following on their many invasions into Kiwi territory and from the penalty corners awarded them. Bad shooting was much in evidence, as was also too much haste in the circle, leading to crowding. A noticeable feature of the play was the tepdency to throw too much play away from the centre of the field even after the opponents’ 25 had been crossed. This fault is a greater weakness when done by the inside left than by the inside right, but all three inside players should note this play. A very pleasing feature of the game was the work of I. Svenson, a promoted junior, who excelled in one aspect of play, that of providing a link between defence and attack. She went back just far enough to collect a ball from her backs, send it out to her wing and then be able to run up field to take part in the forward rush. Had the grass been a little shorter in places and all players correctly shod, Greytown would undoubtedly have scored more than once. The ladies’ team has the material for a good team this year but until some attention is given to training and general combined play, their efforts will be for the most part nullified. Halfbacks are the ones on whom a good deal of success depends, and the position requires great ability. Dribbling should not be indulged in except when a half is near enough to an opponents’ circle to go through herself. Correct hitting is also essential. Wing halves should move up and towards the side line when their forwards are attacking.

Practice matches will be held this week on Tuesday and Thursday commencing at 2 p.m. All junior boys should attend, and ladies who can might also take the opportunity.