LACROSSE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 265, 1 August 1908, Page 9

LACROSSE.

(By.. Wing Defence.)

The game last Saturday was.again spoiled by bad weather, but through the' kindness of St. Patrick's College Committee ■ the .teams were able to play the tost match, from which players wero picked for the representative team to visit Auckland.

"Wing Defence" considers .that the strength of the team as shown by ; Saturday's form will givo our northern friends a rough and complicated proposition,: but at tiio'samo time ho thinks there is room for improvement. The individual play of all members present at this game was good and very noticeable, but quick and short passing, which is tho back-bone of the game of lacrosse, was resorted to by only a few of tho players. I should adviso constant practice; do not tako standing passes, but by moving into different' positions, become quick and more accurato in-receiving and' throwing. The defenco _ players must advance to meet tins attacking players, each player going. forward to meet tho attack in rotation, i.e., cover-point goe3 to meet advancing player. Point checks cover-point's position. Goalkeeper takes point's check. Tho goalkeeper does not always conform to this rulo as ho is better ablo to judgo by the play as to whether lie is better in goal or checking. "Wine Defence" noted with pleasure the hard and strenuous play of Messrs: Proud, Fama, Evcrard, Mathers, Riiikin, and Pctossi, who are taking every advantage to become finished players, although they are weak in catching, and picking tho ball 'from the ground. In catching, the crosso should be held lightly, and with a slight riso so that the ball runs to the guard, from which position it can be advrlucod very easily for passing. If held low the ball will run off . the crosse, and when tho ball is running the pass cannot bo executed with accuracy.

In checking your opponent, hold your stick firmly with two hands. Never hold tho crosse ill any other position than across the body, and it is well to, practise running with tho crosso hold in both hands and in tho beforementioned position. Tho best player does not necessarily do the scoring. Tho' gamo is won by combination and good judgment. Each player should study the gamo ami form his own plan of attack or defence. I would adviso players to resort to different tricks in dodging, checking, throwing, and catching,and each become proficient in his own style and mothod of playing the game. By watching others, .you will be able to combine many good points to thoso of your own. Schulenburg played an exceptionally fino gamo at goal, and "Wing Defence" advises this player to stick to this position. Goal is one of the most important positions on tho field, and very few players can tako the position with success. Tho combination play of Casey, Horn, and Hudson scored repeatedly against a defence playing an attacking game,.and thereby leaving an opening for sure scoring. Montgomery, however, repeatedly blocked the combination of these players.