HOCKEY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 April 1940, Page 7

HOCKEY

WAIRARAPA ASSOCIATION — . | ANNUAL REPORT j ROSY OUTLOOK FOR FUTURE. The president of the Wairarapa Hockey Association (Mr G. Hayne) inhis annual report states: — The 1939 hockey season can safely be called particularly successful. Five senior teams and 10 junior teams took part in club events. The hope of the future lies in our junior players and the 10 teams mentioned makes the future of hockey particularly rosy. The senior contest was won by the Hastwell Club, who thoroughly deserve their win. In this team there are players of outstanding merit who play a fine sporting game. The run-ners-up were the Carterton Club, who also won the Bannin Shield. This team produce first-class hockey and are always hard to beat. The junior competition started with 10 teams, but later in the season was divided into junior and third grade. The Wairarapa College team were the winners ol the junior section, and the Wesley Club were the runners-up. These juniors are developing into players of marked ability and great keenness. The contest for the Cole-Burgess Cup was one of outstanding merit, and ended in a draw, the Wesley Club and Wairarapa College sharing the honours. The third grade contest was won by the Greytown Scout team, who are tremendously keen. Their coach. Mr G. Maloney, is turning them into a fine combination of good sports. This win entitles them to hold the Worsfold Cup. It is with deep regret that we have to record the passing of a great supporter of hockey, Mr A. E. Pickering. Our friend Alec was a great help at all times, and his absence will be greatly missed. Misfortune has also overtaken three prominent hockeysupporters, Messrs C. Cole, Spiers and E. Fleet. All followers of the game will wish them better luck in the future.

My association wishes to express its gratitude to the Referees' Association, whose members gave much time in all weathers for the betterment of the game. In this department there is a great need for recruits, and we appeal to retired hockey players to offer thenservices. During the season our senior players issued a challenge for the Nordon Cup which is held by Nelson. The challenge was almost successful, the game being made a draw in the last half minute. We wish them better luck in the future. Representative games were played by the seniors against Manawatu and Wellington. The former game was won and the latter lost. Both were splendid demonstrations of the game. The juniors also played Manawatu and Wellington, and although both games were lost they gave a good account of themselves. In this connection we acknowledge with thanks, the excellent service of our selectors, Mr J. Fisher and Mr Stan Moor.

The annual King's Birthday tournament for men and women was held on the Lansdowne grounds, and again proved a big success. This tournament attracts a host of Wellington players. and the games are highly competitive. The senior men’s contest went to the Carterton Club, the junior to the Huia Club, Wellington, and the third grade to the Greytown Scouts. The ladies’ section was won by Excelsior, and the junior to the Carterton Club. We offer our hearty congratulations to the various winners, and to the ladies our best thanks for thenhearty co-operation. The dance at night was a great success, and we offer our hearty thanks to Mr Stan Moor and his willing helpers for their splendid services. In this connection out thanks are due to the Lansdowne School Committee for their friendly assistance. Our honorary secretary, Mr Stan Moor deserves our hearty thanks for his service during the past season. To our honorary auditor, Mr Rogers, we offer grateful thanks. His friendly advice and warm support for the game are much appreciated. The St John Ambulance again rendered faithful services to our Association, and to them we offer our gratitude. rhe management committee has .during the season much appreciated the hospitality of Mesdames G. Hayne. J. Fisher, S. Moor A. Stubbings, and G. Maloney. I wish you all a prosperous season in 1940.