HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 213, 8 September 1923, Page 21

HOCKEY.

The North Tsland tournament suggested by the New Zealand Hockey Association has fallen through, ns only one entry was received. The Auckland contingent of the New , Zealand team which visited Australia speak very highly of the treatment I accorded them. j Mr. U C. Kent, chairman of the ■ Auckland Hockey Executive, who accompanied the team to Australia, was of opinion that the Australians had improved their play since the tour of New Zealand last year. Although the fori wards were not quite as clever or rejeourceful as the Dominion players, I there was little difference between the jback teams, in fact, the Australian defence was particularly strong, and in the three States the leading goalkeepers were really brilliant. The play of the principal fullbacks and halves were also Jof a high standard. In comparing hockey in the three States. Mr. Kent considers that there is little to choose I between New South Wales and Victoria, j However, in Queensland there is a big J future for the game that prow?, as most jof the players arc of the younger generation, and in a year or two will rival j the older States. It was a strenuous time, and out of twelve matches played eleven were won and one lost. The "defeat of New Zealand by New South »vales came as a great "surprise, still, beyond tho fact that the New Zealan.lcrs had played five matches in six days, little excuse c:in be offered, for on the nay tho New Zcahuidcrs were deeisivelv "eaten. After a spell of a couple of dnys. and z review of tho tactics in the lost game New Zealand won the test match., it was a memorable game, witnessed by nearly 40,000 spectators. Of course the | Chinest footballers were responsible forj drawing the hulk of the vast crowd,! '''"•ertheWs they arrived in plenty of] time to watch Australia play New Zea- ' land at hockey. At Brisbane a large crowd assembled, and followed the game with enthusiasm. I A noticeable feature of the play of the Australians was the manner in which they obeyed the "stick" rule, and they were seldom penalised for it. i The service of Mr. Kent :<* referee wa s requisitioned in eight out of the twelve matches. In Victoria a referee is paid for his services, and when llr. Kent officiated he wag known ah the amateur referee. I