HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 223, 13 June 1908, Page 9

HOCKEY.

[By Driver.j 'l'ho championship hockey roatohes wero continued in beautiful weather on Saturday. Perhaps tho most interesting match of tho day was that played between liarori and Wesloy on the Athletic Park, which was not in good playing order. It was expected that tho formel' team would bo successful, but tho critics wero disappointed, for tho Karori men were obviously out of form, and some very good individual play was shown by some of tho Wesleyans. The prediction was mado by "Driver," when tho match botwecn tho Wesleyans and tho United veterans took place 011 No. 2 Day's Bay, that there 'was a future before tho light blues, but ho did not anticipate that their riso would bo so sudden. They havo been putting in some solid practice, and their keenness deserves reward. Tlio match between United and Vivian, in which the former were tho victors by two goals to_ one, was a very interesting contest. Tho United forwards all played very pretty hockey, except Matthews, who roamed out of his position continually, much to tho annoyance of his own forwards. The halves kept up to and fed their forwards really well, and wero seldom lacking in falling back, to assist their full-backs, when danger threatened. Hollis has a tendency to dribble the ball on occasiwis, this is unlooked for in a half whose duty it is to get rid of it to his forwards quicker if possible than ho received it.. Tho position of wing-half, without doubt, is the most strenuous 1 on tho field if'he plays the game. Ho must keep well up with his forwards to bo ready to, return the balls to them if they lose it, and ho must race, back like a deer when tho ball passes him to got behind his full-backs and form another lino of defence. Invariably one notices a half, when boaten for the ball stand still and watch the ball's return when his duty; should be to rush back to his own circle and help defend the goal. Von Sturmor and Dwyer, from tho Junior ranks, as tho fullrbacks wero very successful, and played quite up to average Senior standard. The Vivian forwards are a good lot, and with little moro experience against bettor teams will improve wonderfully. Donovan, on the loft wing, is very dangerous, but time and again opportunities wero lost to.him, owing to- crratic passing by .his other forwards, duo apparently to over-eagerness. Tho right-wing must.learn to keep his position well out on the wing, not crowd in to whore tlio inside should be. Ho. lost many opportunities through this. Tho halves were of. great assistance to their forwards, but they would do well to practice falling back to help the backs, when danger is apparent. Full-backs wore given a hot time in defence, and proved themselves very solid. They could to advantage very often got in a long hit to their wing-forwards, instead of hitting up mid-field or over the lino, which sel.dom brings much advantage. Tho goalkeeper deserves much praise for his stubborn defenco against very hard shooting. Ho saved his side several times. Tho Unitod junior and third-class teams have been _ considerably weakened' lately through their strongest men being taken to fill' up temporary positions in tho higher grades, and consequently they have suffered heavy defeats during the last'two Saturdays. It is confidently expected, however, that very shortly these two teams will havo their ranks mado much stronger, and they can bo looked to to shako things up in their respective competitions. The Wednesday Association's matches wero continued in beautiful weather on Wednesday, and several interesting contests took place. Tho match between Federal, A and Y.M.C.A. 2 ou tho Basin Roservo was vory poor hockoy, but the Karori-Y.M.C.A. and Pakeha A-Artillery matches wore moro interesting. The following are the championship points to date Federal A, 6: Pakeha A, s;'Artillery, 3; Y.M.C.A. 1, 3; Karor.i, 3; Federal B, 2;' Pakeha B, 2; Y.M.C.A. 2, nil. At a meeting of the New Zealand Council at Christchurch, a lotter was received from Invorcargill stating that a Southland Association had been formed, and asking for particulars for reinstatement, 1 etc. ■ Tho secretary reported that same had been forwarded. Permission was eiven to the Canterbury Hockoy Association to play Taranaki on July 9, instead of - 11, should they secure tho Shiold from Auckland, whom t'hey play 011 July _4. Lord. Plunket wroto accepting the position of patron of tho New Zealand Hockey Association. It was decided to write to Auckland and Taranaki, asking them to mutually agree upon a referee for their challenge; inatoh. : 1

Tho following from a correspondent in the "Hnwke's Bay Herald" is .of interest " Might I ask your kind favoiir in' an appeal to hockey players? I was present at a Cup match played on Wednesday, and' was some-, what surprised to seo a considerable amount of foul play and pointing. Men deliberately hitting at players' legs after the ball was yards away, and the throwing of one's body at a dribbling forward,'' wore quite cdnmion occurrences. If, the gamo)is to progress in this .district. reforees must put down this play. This is far more important than the penalising of a small kick-on or sticks to bo called for a back who finds himself in difficulties. These things aro left to discretion. But- when refereos soe a man swipe another after he has parted with the ball, it should bo penalised and the player warned at once. If all body play is stopped, it will do more to help the game along than anything else. I regretted to hear .i captain on the field remark to his team, 'Play the man, not'tho ball.' If that is his idea of hcckey, the sooner.ho ceases playing the better, even if he is good enough s for the 'reps.' Hard play is all rirtht, but unfair play-is beyond consideration." ■