IMPROVED HOCKEY

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20507, 25 May 1938, Page 11

IMPROVED HOCKEY

HAMILTON COMPETITIONS kaipaki extend leading team WAIKATO ALL BLACKS’ CHANCES By “Left Half”) The standard of play attained in the third series of matches in the Hamilton hor key competitions on Saturday left lit I*l e to hr desired, and in both senior games the players combined in masterly fashion to make the matches both interesting: and exciting. The encounter between Kaipaki and Aotea was easily the most spectacular game witnessed at tiie park this season. U provided hard, fast hockey throughout. and near the end, when both teams were level, the excitement of l lie spectators was at a high pit ch. Within one minute of the whistle Aolea scored, to take the decision by \ goals to IJ. The match between Old Boys and Tokomaru saw some good hockey, but the wide margin by which Old Boys won the game deprived it of much of its interest. However, at times very spectacular play was seen. Once again the junior series was of a high standard.

All Blacks’ Form Waikato's chances of again being represented in the New Zealand team appear to be. fairly bright. Smillie. the Kaipaki and All Black goalie, is in great form and his display on Saturday indicated that, providing he can maintain such a standard, he should have no difficulty in gaining a place in the eleven to meet the Indians. The player is using his stick and legs in perfect manner and there is no doubt that his outstanding form in Australia will be taken into consideration when the possible players are selected. The New Zealand fullback. D. Pountney. played a really poor game for Old Boys on Saturday, ! and it looked doubtful whether on his present form he will be considered by the selectors. His stickwork was very faulty and time and again he was beaten for possession by the weaker players of the Tokomaru team. With the match between Auckland and Waikato taking place on .Tune 4 Pountney will have to improve considerably if he is to make a successful bid for representative honours. Winner Needs to Improve The Aotea win crop, Forster, is a useful player at limes, but his stickwork needs to improve. When he is conceded plenty of time to get the ball away he takes a J• »l of stopping, but if is when be is closely attacked that be is bealen for possession. Forster will have to be quicker off the mark if any benefit is to be obtained from the speed which he possesses. Certainly he had a hard man in Boyd to contend with on Saturday, but with a little more improvement he should experience no trouble from any fast attacking player. A Coming Goalie There is no doubt that the margin by which Old Boys defeated Tokomaru on Saturday would have been much wider had it not been for the fine defensive play by the goalie of the losing team. Puck. On more than • one occasion be saved bis side when 1 he. kicked wilh rmazinsr accuracy, while bis stickwork and judgment were almost perfect. There is :io doubt that should Puck be looking for representative honours he will have to be taken into account. He had some solid opposition lo contend with on Saturday, and he stood up to it most creditably. Both West, and Kwnn. who are particularly strong hitters, found their chances of scoring considerably dimmed by the play of the Tokomaru goalie. Kaipaki Should Win Soon Although they lost their match with the leaders, Aotea, by one goal, scored in the last minute. Kaipaki must have learned a great deal from the encounter. Up to then they had not showed their true form, and in spite of having a good line of players they never looked a good team. It w.-is their combination that was lacking, but last Saturday they staged a wondeiful recovery in the second half of the game, and their display indicated that it would not be long before they gained a worthy victory. During the latter part of the match they were indulging in crisp hitting tactics, which proved of considerable value to them, and if they bad come to light earlier the decision might have been reversed. International Hockey Federation The Australian Ilockev Association has advised the New Zealand body that the majority of their States have, agreed to affiliate with the International Hockey Federation. The management committee thereupon decided that the New Zealand Hockey Association would affiliate at the commencement. of Hie federation's next, financial year provided they were assessed for 'fees on tlie basis of senior grade players only. This was expected to cost about £7 10s a year. P °Wiid hitting will never win a match with credit. On Saturday there were j numerous examples of these tactics in hoth games. Davies and Kwan, for Old Bovs, demonstrated the point when thev were in ideal scoring positions but threw away the chances by inaccurate hitting, the ball passing yards outside the posts. Aotea, 100. needs to improve in this respect, it was not as though Kaipaki were a formidable team, but they certainly bustled their opponents out of many coals. The Technical team several times penetrated ttie circle, and after considerable difficulty found an opening. hut spoiled it by a wild shot at iron I. West, for i»ld Boys, was much hotter than previously, always being well up with the play, and when he had tiic opportunity he usually made the most of it. His four goals out of Ih • live scored is prool ot liis more accurate stick work.

Table of Points p. w. l. r>. pt?. Aotea .... 3 3 o o 6 rnlts .... 2 2 0 0 4 old Fnvs ..2 1 1 0 2 Katpaki .... 2 n 2 0 0 Tokomaru .. 3 0 3 0 0