HOCKEY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 156, 7 August 1914, Page 3

HOCKEY.

SHIELD MATCH PREPARATIONS. _____ ■ <*i ■ The Canterbury team which is to play Auckland, at Auckland, to-morrow afternoon in the Shield match,'played its final practice game at Sydenham Park against a fairly strong B team. The day's play was very poor, neither side showing any tendency to play strenuously. The reps, were apparently, taking no risks of missing the trip.to Auckland through injuries and consequently many good openings were thrown aside. Robb, who .filled the position of caretaker of the B team's net, played the best game on the ground. Although he was called on at a minute's notice, and was consequently not clad in his hockey dress, his display would give the impression that Bellamy will have some close > competition for his position next year. Robb brought off many clever, not lucky, saves on Saturday last, and generally his display was excellent. Dingle ana Morton put up fair performances, and stopped numerous hot forward rnoveuients of the reps. Arnold and Pascoe were easily the pick of the halves, both men putting in a great amount of useful work Their back-tackling was like their attack —good. The B forwards were a very "ordinary"' lot; seldom attempting anythirg appi caching combination. Ir stead of cutting their back out, they were generally More,'' disposed to hie the ball right to him, giving him good clearing practice. Wilson, on the right wing, missed a great many chances through not sending the ball across quickly enough, so giving the opposing backs ample time to tackle him. Joe was perhaps the best of the line. Besides sending in a fine goal, he sent the ball to his fellowforwards in good style. Bell, at bully, gave one the impression that he was not trying. The previous games he has played this season were far ahead of last Saturday's performance. Lnxton filled ihe bill as inside left as well as could be expected in the circumstances, seeing that he was quite strange to the position, and sadly out of form. THE REPRESENTATIVES. '

Bellamy, in goal for the reds, had little to do, but he let one easy goal go past him. He was also inclined to leave hjs goal too much. Sherwood and Martin got in a great deal of useful work, but as they did not have a very good opposing forward line to contend with, they did not have many opportunities of really shining. Parton was the best of the halves. He placed the ball to his forwards in good fashion, and added another goal to his record. Duffield aval Sepie did not exert themselves unduly, and only gave a fair exhibition. The forwards, with the exception of perhaps Hawkins, were all suffering from the good old "tired feeling," Patrick being especially afflicted. Hawkins played well throughout, and followed the ball about well., grammar, too, worked hard, but somehow the jbaU did not come his way enough. Throp's shooting was not near'y as solid as is usual with him, and several good chances were thrown away through his giving the ball a light hit before shooting. Chappell, when in the rep. team, did what work came his way satisfactorily, although inclined to hesitate. At the request of the selectors, the executive of the C.H.A. has decided to send Pascoe as au emergency, but the controlling body added to its consent a "strong recommendation that the two extra forwards have prior claim to Pascoe, either back or forward. A motion to leave this to the selectors' discretion lapsed for want of a seconder. Surely this is tying the selectors down unduly. The team left by Tuesday's steamer, and was given a hearty send-off by a good muster of enthusiasts. The president of the C.H.A., in a neat little speech on the Christchurch railway station, bid the team good luck and a happy time. Another enthusiast guaranteed to pay any tunnel rates on the shield. Mr Batley presented each member of the team with the provincial colours, and Mr Simpson, the team's "mascot," in the shape r of a-well-dressed Scotsman adorned the eoloiirs of his regiment.

THE REFEREE TROUBLE AGAIN. Canterbury has beeii most unfortunate with' its referee for the "big" match. In the firsts-place, Mr Cusworth was expected to offqciaite, but for business reasons-he had tb decline. Then Mr Ford was appfoacjhed, and he accepted the; position, but at„ almost the last minut(j he had to disappoint the proach Auckland, asking whether the latter had any objections to Mr Simpson

acting as referee, and as no replies were received from Auckland to the contrary it was taken for granted that Auckland did not object. Then, at the eleventh hour, a telegram was received agreeing to Mr Simpson's appointment, and to cap the lot, at the twelfth hour another telegram came along, stating that as Mr Simpson was a selector Auckland must object. So the association has How appointed Mr Walton, late of Wellington, who should give satisfaction. No thanks are due to the Auckland Association for- H.9_ promptitude (!) in replyiug to reply-paid Common courtesy demands prompt replies to urgent correspondence. To.-morrow the great game will .be played, and the result will be eagerly awaited by the many well-wishers of the team.