HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 112, 13 May 1926, Page 11

HOCKEY.

INDIANS IN ACTION.

GAME AT REMTTEHA-

ELEVEN TO ONE ON THE NAVY.

I A glimpse of the Indian hockey 'players in action was given at Benroera i yesterday afternoon, when an unofficial [match was played against the Nary. j Although the game was intended mainly ito give the visitors a try-out under iNew Zealand conditions, it afforded an ' exhibition of speed and tactics that ; more than once overwhelmed the Navy men, and gave the Indian team the vie- ! Tory by eleven goals to one. j Yet the Indians were clearly below ; their best form, and the official tour ' which begins with to-day's game at Te Awamutu should, therefore, provide an opportunity of seeing the stick game played with a combination and skill that marka a new standard in the Dominion. There are players in the team—notably Dhian Chand, the alimly built centrei forward—whose stickwork reaches perj fection. In the air, or on the ground, Chand can take the leather on his stick with a. certainty that seldom fails. As the central figure in a lightning forward movement, or when lone-handed he encounters an opposing barrier, his work is masterful. Whether he is zig-zagging his way to the circle edge, or engaging in short, sudden exchanges within the circle; whether he is passing right or left, or frequently straight back to the supporting halves, he never hesitates. His givies him an excellent opportunity of taking advantage of ecor,ing openings. 1 On the left yesterday he had Capt. H. V. Cox, and on the right Shangara •Singh, who scored four and three goal;, respectively, while Chand got the remaining four. ! The only goal scored by the Navy was that of Marshall, at the beginning of the game. Lane, the Navy goalie, played a great game under hard pres sure, and it was highly to his credit that many more shots did not reach the net. CRITICAL COMMENT. DISTINCTIVE STYLE OF PLAY. The team gave a most convincing display, clearly demonstrating the exceptional care that has been exercised in i instructional work in the rudiments of j the great stick game. Their handling of the sticks is of a high order, something rather unusual in Dominion hockey at the present time. The clean, sharp, wristy strokes f seemingly between a push and a scoop) were executed with effortless confidence and telling effect. The team maintained an excellent formation, with the result that a player was almost invariably in position to receive the ball. The passing was not of the sharp, crisp nature the local players indulge in, but with a quick flick of the wrist the ball was deliberj ately sent in the desired direction, the : placing being excellent. Every endeaivour was made to draw the opposition before a pass was made. There waa very little use of the hand _r foot in stopping; the ball for the most part was taken on the stick. Thus no time was wasted or play slackened, but everything lent to the continuity of the movement. The visitors proved very nippy, and their movements bewildering. They maintained a fast pace throughout. "Sticks" and "obstruction" were reduced to a negligible quantity. i Effective Team Work. j In goal hunting the work was most unselfish, and the ball was passed about in the circle with consideration to the players' position. The attacks were of a sustained nature, and the methods of goal shooting varied from a hard drive ,on the circle edge to sharp following up jto find the net with a slow thrust. The I anticipation of movements was very I keen. , i In the penalty corner the ball was hit, to one man. who stopped it for the! striker, but immediately the shot was 1 made the "fielder" dashed in to snap up the rebound. The goalkeeper displayed great stopping powers, but frequently relied upon the other players to clear. The centreforward was very dangerous, for while going at top speed he would deflect the , ball past an opponent and finish the : stroke by passing to ene of the inner I forwards. i I There was no inclination to resort to the sideline for relief. The ball was kept in play and the methods of covering a player in difficulties showed the fine understanding existing. — - . SATURDAY'S GAMES. t LIST OF FIXTURES. Arrangements for the Auckland Hockey Association's competitions en Saturday are ,as follow, sll matches being at Remuera. ; except where otherwise stated :— Senior Grade.—St. Luke's v. Areta. No. 1 Ground. 3.1", n.m.. Mr. \V.tddln.#hani - ! Somerville v. Wesley. Xo. 2. 3.15 p.m.. Mr ! Avery: Somerville Colts v. Stanley, No. 8. • 3.15 p.m.. Mr. Kiliup ; Mount Eden v. University, No. l. 2 p.m., Mr. Ellison. Second Grade. —Section A : Waitemata v. Otahuhu. No. 4, 3.15 p.m.. Mr. Crawshaw : Wesley v. Somerville. No. 5, 3.20 p.m.. Mr ; Chambers: University v. Areta. Xo. B, . 3.15 p.m., Mr. Biddle. Section B: St ! Paul's v. Epiphany, No. 3, 2 p.m.. Mr . Chambers; Training Cellege v. St. Luke'«, Xo. 2, 2 p.m., Mr. Kiliup ; Mount Eden a i byeThird Grade.—Auckland Grammar v I University A, Xo. 6, 2 p.m.. Mr. Waddinejham; Epiphany v. Mount Eden, No 8 ! 3.15 p.m., Mr. Law: Waitemata v. Unlver- | sity B, Victeria Park, 3.15 p.m., Mr. Mul- ; lins; Wesley a bye. ; Fourth Grade.—St. Paul's v. Stanley Victoria Park. 2 p.m.. Mr. Mullins; Somer--1 ville v. Wesley. Xo. 7, 2 p.m., Mr. Biddle: : Waitemata v. St. Luke's. No. 9. 3.15 p m Mr. Ellison: Mount Albert Grammar r. Auckland Grammar, postponed: TrainingCollege a bye. Fifth Grade. —All matches are postponed. Ladles' -Senior Grade.— Arawa t T.W.C.A.. Xo. 5, 2.15 p.m., Mls« Clark: . University a bye. : Ladles' Junior.—Mount Eden v Trainjmg College B, Xo. 3. 2 p.m., Mr.' Peace • ' T.W.C.A. B v. T.W.C.A. A, Xo. 5, 110 p.m., Miss Clark: Twining College A' - In-terheuse, Xe. 9, 2 pjn.. Miss Avery •' I Somerville v. University. Xo. 4, 2 _ m Mr i Williams. Pr ' r '