HOCKEY

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 294, 5 September 1908, Page 9

HOCKEY

[By Driver.]

Tho defeat of the A team by tho B at Day's Bay on Saturday last was not altogether unexpected. Undoubtedly tho better team won, but the best men cannot always got away, and that happened in this instance. ' The same thing occurred at Christchurch, before the Canterbury team got away on tour, but it cannot bo regarded as showing error of judgment on the part of tho selectors. Tho talk is all about the team on .tour, and everyone wishes it tho best of the battle, for Auckland are to be mot this afternoon. Taranaki were defeated by one goal to 0, after, ail even and exciting game. The team is apparently doing nothing great, and it is a great .pity that the best men could not havo been in the team. Tho following criticism of the WellingtonWanganui .match was received from our special correspondent:— Favoured with ideal conditions overhead, the match, taken all round, was very enjoyable. Cook's Gardens was the scene of the combat, and it is an ideal situation, being almost a natural amphitheatre. The ground was rough and uneven, and sorely needed a good rolling. Naturally, those conditions were rather trying to the touring team,' and it was not expected that they would give a very interesting display. They, howovor, accommodated themselves to . the ground very well, and very little fault could bo found with the behaviour of the team. The local men were quite at home on the treacherous ground, and gave a very interesting display of how the ball can be taken on the fly. Their method was to hit hard and follow up, and it was surprising how successful these tactics were. Of course, the Wellington forwards kept their positions, and identified themselves _ with very . long passes, often going from wing to wing. This proved much less tiring for our men, who wore not in the same condition as their •■pponents. Smythe, Willis, and Elliott were the most worthy of tho forward lino, which throughout played with very commendable combination. Willis had very hard luck in not bagging a goal, while Eiliott also suffered in that respect. Dixon's goal was a pretty piece of work, but his field play was not up to his previous games. The half-line was very sound indeed, and Campbell was the means of strengthening it considerably. Brewer and Hickson played well, as also did Sanders. There was no chance for the latter to stop the hot shot that Cay scored. The refereo was most impartial, but had the failing of carrying out the rnle to the letter. This naturally hampered the game very considerably, and prevented it from being very interesting from an onlooker's point of view. Wednesday players were favoured with a glorious afternoon this 'week after having two successive wet daj'S. Two matches were set down for decision on tho Basin Reserve, which was in splendid condition for a fast game.

Unfortunately Y.M.C.A. No. 1 were unable to muster a- team, and forfeited to Pakeha A, who rolled up ill full numbers, and a scratch garae was indulged in by them with the fow members of tho Y.M.C.A. present. The other came, Artillery v. Karori, was of an extremoly fast and even nature. Artillery are runners up for the championsnip, and os'Karori put' one of their best teams on the field a good game resulted. In the first spell, although there was no score. Artillery had a. good deal the better of He play. Early in the second spell, James shot a splendid gaal for Artillery, but shortly after Karori equalised, and within a f w minutes of time scored a second goal, which proved the winning margin. In the \rtillory team, Gow mid James, in tho forwards, did excellent work, and Porter at goal was generally safe. In the Karori team 3 piers was the best of a good team. Tho forwards played very well, but seemed_ unable to shoot when they reached the circle. Playing at Hiramar, Federal and Y.M.C.A. 11, tho two lowest teams in tho competition, had a good game, Y.M.C.A. retaining their right to tho wooden spoon, tho game ending, Federal 8, Y.M.C.A. 2. Tho position of the teams at present is as follows :-r-

It is practically impossible for Pakeha A to lose the cup, as to do so they must lose all' three of the matches they have to play, and probably after next Wednesday the round will bo closed and a series of seven a-side tournaments played. > The hockey season is drawing to a close, and as fa ras the junior championship is concerned it has been a very good season. The throe leading teams, Y.M.CiA., Victoria College, and St. Patrick's College, have played some very scientific games. Of the three, I think St. Patrick's College should have been nearer the front, judging by some of their games lately.' Early in the season, St. Patrick's oould not keep their team full, and more tban once had to play shorthanded. ' In one instance they could only muster eight men. This team is probably the fastest in the competition, but has an inclination, to play individually rather too much. Individual play may be good in some instances, but when opposed by a well-or-ganised combination it has 110 chanco, because the best individual players are watched closely, and have little opportunity of getting away. Victoria College have a good set of forwards, the pick of whom is Oram, who is practically the key to the whole line. This player should watch against obstruction when near the opjwnents' circle. Among the backs, Eiohelbaum is easily the best, and has been the' fortress of defence for the College on several occasions. Y.M.C.A. havo played a very combined game this season, and it was . anybody's game when they met St. Patrick's College— the game ended in a draw. Y.M.C.A. were rather surprised at the keen tussle they had with Karori in , the second round. Right up to the last five' minutes the odds were even, but owing to Karori's backs relaxing their vigilanco, Y.M.C.A. slipped through twice more before time was called. Wesley havo played a nice game this year, but they lack that vim which has characterised most of tho other teams. _ ' Karori have been an unknown quantity right through the season. They have won some games easily and lost others foolishly. It seems strange that Karori Juniors are faced every year with the,problem of keeping their, team together. Vivian have played with spirit throughout, and some games with them nave taken a bit of fighting. In one or two games, they have shown signs of roughness. Some weeks ago the vice of obstruction was commented on in this column, and in connection therewith the following little incident will be of interest:—A player was heard remarking to nn opponent, "If you don't get out of the way you will be hit," meaning, of course, that if the opponent did not cease his obstructing he would suffer the penalty— a hit from the other's stick. The opponent replied, "Oh! I don't mind that, old chap, so long as we get goals." This man had deliberately pushed himself against the defender just within tho circle, • and had given his club-mate a clear shot at goal. This is not hockey, and one naturally wants to know what tho referee was doing. While on the subject of obstruction, it may bo mentioned that on Wednesday Mr. Shepherd penalised tho Artillery team severely. Artillery were very sore on the point, and from several expressions used it would _ appoar that this team has a rather vague idea of what obstruction is. A man may not knock his opponent about and he is permitted to run in 011 the left side of a player. It seems hard for a team to be continually penalised for obstruction, but until players realise that they,aro in tho wrong and endeavour to stop this'bad practice thoy may look forward to having a sorry time from the referee. Several Artillery men would have been told to loavo tho field if they had used some of their expressions in tho presence of other referees.

«-H C • ® a' g « S 3 £ * 3 o & Pakelia A ;.. 10 9 0 1 19 Artillery ... 10 .6 2 .2 14 Pakeha B ..; 9 / 6 3 0 12 Karori ... 9 4 3 2 10 Y.M.C.A; I ... 9 3 5 1 7 Federal ... 10 3 7 0 6 Y.M.C.A. II ... 9 0 9 0 ,0