HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 164, 10 July 1912, Page 7

HOCKEY.

The playing fields were once again in a treacherous condition last Saturday, Remuera in particular being very bad. Fortunately the trial match played for the purpose of selecting the team to travel to Canterbury in quest of the Challenge Shield was* decided at Victoria Park, where the conditions ■were somewhat better but even there too bad for a really scientific display of the great stick game. The construction of the A forward line gave answer to a question asked by the writer, after the first trial game thai of placing King as centre forward. An experiment in the line was Barry as left wing, and on paper it looked a strong eleven. The field, however, is the only place to decide, and at the conclusion of the first spell the selector took the general view and replaced Barry and King by C. Jacobeen and Maeon in their respective positions. The young 'Varsity player had been inchided in the B team as an experiment on the left wing', and the experiment proved a aueceee. Mr. Hill changed the positions of several players of the A team for the third) spell, but it proved a mistake. The beet team was the .one played in the second spell. The selector is to be complimented upon the stand he took with a conple of old players, and his action in bringing the young blood forward! will meet with general approval. Of those left out, in club hockey Sloman has given some very fine exhibitions, and while there is room for general all-round improvement, this will come with experience. IJe requires to pay special attention to direction in hitting. Often, instead of his own forwards receiving the ball, it has been sent direct to the opposing backs, who had little difficulty in accomplishing what 1 Sloman had failed in. Whittingham is the Parnell player of the half-back line who came into the limelight last seasonUp stops in a most reliable manner, but his aggressive work is weak. Hunt, of Mount Eden, gained a place as the left half of the B team, andi acquitted himself most creditably. Suffering apparently from stage fright in tho opening portion, he gradually overcame the weakness, and gave the opposing right wing a troublesome time. One great point in his favour is that he keeps hie place, bat hie bitting is a bit slow. Like the two previous players, more will be heard of him in the future. Considering the state of the ground, the game on Saturday was interesting, and some very fine movements were brought off. especially by the A team in the second spell. The way their forward line was worked must have given the B team much instruction. The last-named vanguard seemed to possess, from the manner in which the bail was passed out, only one side—the left. On the right Partou was doing a freeze, trying to amuse himself in conversing with the side line critics. This player could easily have been given a trial in the centre, for he was certainly out of position on the wing. However, Mr. Hill has succeeded in getting the strongest eleven available together, and although it may not be as strong as the 1907-8 teams, it should make a good showing. The Remnera grounds were totally unfit for play, yet. as a big programme has to be completed, and the players are particularly keen to fulfil engagements, the various games were continued. Only one senior match was played, that between Parnell and Unitarian, which resivßed in a draw of two goals each. The juniors held sway, and appreciated 3 oVloek matches. There was not a great difference between the two B section senior cjl evens, and on the day Unitarian were unfortunate, for they led until close on time. The weakness of the black and yellow lay in the half line., for Whittingham's absence was keenly felt. The forward division can claim but little difference, Parnell. if anything, being stronger when once the scoring zone was reached. The four goals were the result of scrambling play. P. Hobson, the Unitarian fullback, put in some splendid defensive work, but was rather fond of (the side line in clearing. Stewart, the ex-Scottish player, again shone prominently. No doubt he will be given a chance in firstclass combaiiy later in the season. K-err. in the centre of the half line, was very safe, and opened some very good attacks. T\! Para ell fullbacks w«rc both of the soli« rather than the brilliant order. Caro was only included at the eleventh hour, and is below form. The tactics of a couple of the forwards should have received more whistle, the non-infliicting •of penalties should not be taken as a guide that the style of play will be countenanced. North Shore placed two more points to their credit by defeating University B. WffDMvFPAY HOCKEY ASSOCIATION. By defeating Albion last Wednesday, Klatere" A have secured th«» lead In the Wednesday Association's competitions. The following are tb-p positions of tbe various teams at the conclusion of tie first round: - P. W. Ij. P. Klatere A -'■ 5 0 10 Albion •*> <* 1 » Arawa 5 ? 2 6 T\ Force ** 2 3 4 Kiatere B -> 1 4 - Akarann 5 ■ 0 5 It