HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 208, 2 September 1919, Page 9

HOCKEY.

-mere were several disappointments in connection with last Saturday's hockey. In the first place the suspension of the cup fixtures had a mixed reception from 7n per cent of the senior players. However, trial matches are absolutely necessary to the selector in welding together a representative team, especially when such au important mission is contemplated. Here again the atmospheric conditions upset calculations, and both players and selector had a good deal to contend against in producing the best, notwithstanding that the ground at Remuera was in much better condition after the heavy rain than was ever expected. Three or four players failed to put in an appearance, but there was plenty of material to fill the gaps, although in the matter of positions there had to be considerable adjusting in the B team. In the first spell the game was fairly even, but at half-time tlie selector made some alterations, and the A team came out victorious by five goals to one. Individually play varied a good deal, and some of the players would have undoubtedly performed better on a dry ground. Still there is a chance that the elements may be just as unkind on the day of the great game. After the game Mr. H. B. Speight, selector, announced the team. With Halloran nnd Hobson unavailable, Hanna and Cooper were the principal candidates for goalkeeper. Cooper is the more brilliant of the two last named, but Hanna's work is of the more solid order, and on form the seleci tor made the better choice. The fullbacks, Sloman and England, are a capable pair. The former has not displayed his best form this season, nevertheless ho is always reliable. England only came back from the front a few weeks ago, and is improving every week. The selector had a more difficult proposition in dealing with the half-line, owing to a scarcity of right He eventually decided upon three experienced players in Hunt, Rennie, and Johns, with the former in the centre and Rennie on the left and •Johns on the right. It will be noticed that Johns has played centre forward and Rennie at full-back during the greater part of the season. The forward line also took a lot of consideration, and individually the quartet are a brilliant lot. A. Alexander is given a trial at centre and D. Alexander at inner right. Whether the shifting of the two will make any material difference remains to be seen. Grice is a speedy right winger who applies the direct centre and his very little communication with the inner right. Harman should do well on the left wing, and Mac-ken has the essentials of proving himself a dangerous opponent. Should the change in the line not come up to expectation the selector has with Fletcher included sufficient material to make an alteration. If Rennie is unable to make the trip, another half-back will be necessary.