THE HOCKEY FIELD

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 247, 1 August 1935, Page 7

THE HOCKEY FIELD

PLAYERS AND MATCHES.

TEAM FOR N.Z. TOURNEY.

, (By “Sticks.”) The decision of the Ashburton Women’s Hockey Association’s executive to forward the entry of a team for the championship tournament at Gisborne will be received with approval by a. great body of players and supporters. It now behoves all clubs to do their utmost to ensure that the necessary financial support is promptly forthcoming.

Matches _,will be played against El-. lesmere teams on August 24, and the senior grade match should serve as an excellent try-out for the tournament team. /It will be remembered that last year Ashburton “B” and “C” teams played Ellesmere “A” and “B”, but during'the afternoon tea function, Ellesmere speakers expressed ai strong wish that in future matches, they should meet Ashburton’s “A” team.

For the second game no doubt the selector will elect to give young and untried promising players a chance to obtain the benefit of outside experience, reserving liis “B” team for the match against South Canterbury which will probably take place on August 31, when the tournament team will be at Gisborne.

For those not fortunate enough to be selected for the northern trip therefore, there iiemains the opportunities at Timaru and Ellesmere, with a probability also of a visit later to Oamarvi. Selection Experiments.

The selection of a tournament team will be awaited'with keen interest, and an early, announcement should lie made so that* those selected may have ample time to make all arrangements. It is very evident that for some of the positions the selector may have to experiment by transferring players from other positions. This especially applies to the left-back and left-half positions, for which there appears to be no outstanding candidates amongst the usual occupants of the positions. The choice of goalie appears very open, the selection appearing to lie between K. Coates (Baring Square), 0. Smith (Kereone) and M. Lowe (Hinds). Whichever choice is made there will no doubt lie a diversity of opinion.

Right-back players with claims for consideration are M. Watson (Hinds), M. Ayers (Methven) and A. Loach (Tjnwald). The first-named player can play equally well on the left, having previously represented Ashburton in that position. The most promising halves appear to he E. Jary (centre), D. Fowke (right), N. Tatterson (adaptable for either right or left), and R. Donaldson (centre or left). W. 1 .owe, Hinds (right) should also be taken into consideration whilst M. Chapman (Timvald) still continues to show form in club matches. Either E. Jary. or R. Donaldson would prove serviceable leltbacks, both being solid on defence besides possessing strong hitting power. Ample Forward Talent. There is ample talent available for the positions in- the forward line, and no doubt there will be a number ( of heart burnings when the final selection is made.

There are four solid aspirants for right-wing. F. Cruised (Tinwald), R Brand (Old! Girls), E. Musson (Hinds), and T. Morgan (Mt. Sbmers). B. Brand merits for the in-side-right position, as also does M. Carson, but they will find it hard to displace F. Donaldson (Hinds) who has proved her worth in .that position in club games. For inside-left the logical selection is J. Davison (Hinds). Her form all through the season has been first-class and she showed her scoring ability in last Saturday’s match against the combined team.

The left-wing position is another which presents difficulty. Last year’s occupier of the position, T. Williams has played several good games for Baring Square but her play is not up to previous standard. |S. Breach (Rakaia) was-selected for the match against Canterbury, but unfortunately" this promising player sustained an injury in a recent club match, and it remains to he seen whether this affects her play for a strenuous tour. "

J. Watson (Hinds) has displayed plenty of dash in recent club games, her centring especially being well directed and timed. Her tendency to off-side play, however, often mars otherwise good display's. Another likely contender, is T. Morgan (Mt. Somers) who gave a firstclass exhibition on the right-wing during the first spell of the match, Combined v. Hinds, on Saturday, and when tried out on the other wing in the second spell proved her adaptability whenever openings came her way.

Several centre-forwards. For the all important position ol centre-forward there are several contenders. J. Lowe (Hinds) had her first representative 'experience against Canterbury, and the further expeiience to Ire gained at a championship tournament should prove of incalculable benefit to this young player. On her play in club matches she must again lie seriously considered. M. Henderson (Tinwald) has again struck form after an absence of two years from the playing field, M. Owen (Mcthven) played her best game tins season against Old Girls, hut did not display equally good form in last Saturday’s game. She is however, an experienced centre, whose claim cannot he overlooked. M. Carson (Old Girls) is another player with, claims for consideration.

The selector’s task is a difficult one, but with the material available, this season’s team should again acquit itself with credit.

Next Saturday will witness the second meeting of Hinds and Tinwald, the first round game being in favour of

Hinds by a single goal margin. Tinwald supporters make no secret that their team is determined to turn the tallies next Saturday, whilst Hinds supporters are equally optimistic. This should, without doubt, be the star game of the season, and should have an important' bearing on the selector’s final decision. The Wakanui Eleven.

“Sticks” journeyed to Wakamii on Saturday to witness the men’s match between Ashburton; and Mcllraith’s eleven. Owing to the uneven nature of the ground, good hockey was out of the question. For quite a while the Blacks were unable to adapt themselves to the conditions, especially as Wakamii were right out to take, advantage of the many mistakes Ashburton made.

The game had been in progress about 15 minutes before Pearce was able to net for the town team, but almost immediately after Mcllraith glided in a nice shot, which gave Taylor no chance. Even play followed for a time, and then Wakamii assumed the lead with a goal from Page s stick. It was apparent from the stubborn defence of the Blue backs that they were determined to lower the Blacks’ colours if possible, and it was only after repeated attempts that Ashburton were able to net 2 more goals before l halftime. The second half resolved itself into a grim struggle with the odds in favour of Ashburton, who eventually ran out winners 6 to 3. Wakanui’s weakness was in their two wings, who although both were very keen, have no idea of combined play, and their stick work will have to improve before they can hope to make their presence felt. Page at left inside was the best forward for the Blue’s side, but both Wiflfon and Mcllraith played well, and their short passing on a tricky ground was all that could be desired? The Wakanui full-backs are improving with each match, hut the team will never learn good hockey on a bad ground. The writer understands that next season the Blues have prospects of securing a better playing area, and if this proves correct their hockey will go ahead by leaps and bounds. They have quite a number of promising school boys to draw from, and it is to be hoped that they will be able to field a junior and a senior team next year. Junior Notes.

So far it lias not been possible to organise the lower grade, but a determined effort is to be made in this direction, as there seems to be sufficient lads available for at least four teams. The Ashburton Club is anxious to get one or two junior teams together, and if intending players will give their names to Mr Vincent, and turn out for practice on Saturday at 1.30, p.m., they will be given every encouragement to take up- the stick game.

The main trouble with the boys seems to he the difficulty in procuring proper hockey sticks, but if they are keen on the game, and show some ability, this difficulty will be surmounted somehow. Meantime offers of sticks from retired players would be appreciated. General Items.

C. (Darky) Cox, who has been playing for the Ashburton Club for a number of years, has left the district to take up a position iii Timarii. His services will be sadly missed by: his old club, which is now reduced to nine active members, as N. Willis lias also left Ashburton, at least temporarily. As the logical challengers for the Walker Hall Cup this year, Ashburton will be at a loss to field a lull eleven, but Cox has signified his willingness to journey from Timaru, if wanted, to take his old place in the team. __

August will he an active month for the selector as, besides the match with Geraldine on August 17, an effort is being made to send three teams to Christchurch on August 24, and two teams to Timaru on the following Saturday.

Tips for Umpires. DO.—l. Turn out properly equipped. 2. See that the field is marked correctly"; see that the goals are upright, nets secure, etc., and, flags in thencorrect positions. . The time-keeping yourself. 4. Use a loud whistle and blow it loudly. 5. Try to keep on a line with the hall in your own half of the field so that you may be in a favourable position to detect offside, etc. 6. Suppress dangerous play, i.e., undercutting, pushing, charging, deliberately hitting the hall into an oncoming player. 7. Be prompt in making decisions. 8. Be firm, tactful and just. DON’T —1. Wear a uniform that will confuse the players. 2. Argue with players at any time. 3. Wait for an appeal before giving a decision. ‘ 4, Allow players to wrangle during a game. 5. Enforce any rule whereby the offenders gain the advantage. 6. Be officious or over-bearing. 7. Take notice of the abusive critics (they are only advertising their low mentality). 8. Allow shepherding.