HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 821, 21 May 1910, Page 12

HOCKEY.

(Bγ "Bm-iiT-or*.") SOME SHIELD MATTERS. Despite the fact ftat heavy rain fell last Saturday at mid-day—matches were played: and the hockey fraternity were favoured with a fine afternoon. The grounds were esoeedingly heavy, and considering the state of them, play in most cases was fast, and open. The first round of Beuior fixtures will terminate on Juno 11, weather permitting. Should cup matches be cancellod on any Saturday before that date, it means that the unplayed portion , of tho first round of fixtures will have to bo held over for a time, as it is absolutely imperative that a trial match should be played on June 18, as the following Saturday, June 25, is set down for the first shield match of the season. Wellington fought hard to win the shield from Auckland last season, and now they have to work hard to retain it. Wellington play a return "rep." match against Manawatu, at Palmerston North, on Friday, June 3, and will therefore have a splendid opportunity of getting into form in readiness for tho Ehield match to be played against Hawko's Bay;'this being the first challenge to be dealt with. It must bo said that providing Wellington beat Hawko's Bay—and tho latter association are a good solid (Wellington) (tho present shield holdors) will have their work cut out to beat Canterbury and Auckland. At present no further dates for shield matches have boon arranged. The management committee met on Wednesday evening last, and decided to deal fully with the matter of dates at a later meeting. Several associations who have challenged Wellington, wrote enquiring for a aa.te for their match; but, as has boon already intimated, nothing definite has been done regarding tho respective dates, nor. have any suggestions boon mooted.

Mr. H. V. Walton, the selector, will a«x>mpany the team, which visits Palinerston North, as manager. Ho will then be able to see how the men shape, And, unless it is imperative, he will not. one would think, alter tho disposition of the team for shield matches. "Bully-Off" has not heard who will bo in tho team for Juno 3 and, as it is purely a friendly return match, tho probability ie tho best eleven procurable will not participate in the game— so far as Wellington is concerned— thus it cannot bo said who will form the shield eleven.

Association and the Referees. Tho business dealt with at tho management committee meeting calls for comment. It seems rather unwise to rush business through . at reckless speed. The Referees' Association have asked times out of number to be allowed representation on the Hockey Association, and havo never received much assistance from the present, or any other/ management committee Why should the referees not be allowed iv have a deJegato at all meetings? Tho Hockey Association should encourago and assist the Referees' Association as far as possible. It was stated at the meeting of >.tho management committee on Wednesday last that tho referees would need to show cause why they should be allowed representation on the Hockey Association. .Tho meeting resolved that the matter must come before the annual meeting, 'and it could not recommend any definite proposal to the annual mooting. By the way, Mr. Turner has undertaken the position of secretary to the Referees' Association, and everyone wishes him every success. Four new referees havo offered thoir services in Wellington, and at a meeting of the association on Monday last the rules were discussed at length. Walrarapa Activities. Wairarapa havo issued a circular letter asking tho various associations to co-operato with them and endeavour to have the headquarters of the N.Z.H.A. transferred to Wellington. The position, so far as the Wellington Association is concerned, is this: Immediate action—if takon by the local body—would be detrimental to their own interests, in view of the fact that Wellington are the holders of the shield. At tho management committee meoting on Wednesday last, the chairman, Mr. Organ, wisely stated that ho was against any action being taken at present, and the meoting concurred with this idea. Headquarters Question. Undoubtedly it ,would be to the interests of all the North Island and Marlborough Associations to oombino together and fight for a transfer of tho N.Z.H.A.'s headquarters. Tho Christchurch people have had all thoir own way up to tho present, and a great amount of good would result by such a transfer. Still, it is futile . for the present, shield-holders to do anything in tho matter at present. Probably at tho end of the season tho Wellington. Association will see its way to making a definite inovo. A Matter of Rules. Referring to the Rules of the Game of Hockey, "If a corner hit is being taken, the ball must bo stopped motionless by an attacker before a goal can be scored." This question was discussed at length at tho referees' meeting, and. it was agreed that if an attacker outside tho circle hits tho ball into the circlo before stopping same, and the ball is afterwards hit into tho goal it is "no goal." The ball must bo stopped dead by the attacking sido" before scoring off a "corner hit," and no oxception can possibly bo mado to that rule. Players are complaining that tho white goal-lines nre not continued between the gonl-posts, and, therefore, it is Lar'l to determine whether the ball passes wholly ovor the supposed goallino or not. Overwhelming Win by Collogo. Referring to last Saturday's play, College showed their combination without doubt, and had littlo difficulty in settling the claim of superiority between themselves and Y.M.C.A. In fnirncss to the latter team, "Hully-Off" would mention that Card and Lodder were absent —tho last-named having poisoned his ana. In fact, ho is still unwell. To-day still two more of their players will l>o nhsont, namely Whontloy and Duwuoii. Tbo former Iβ suffering

from internal injuries, received as the outcome of his match with United at

the beginning of tho season. Both Card and Dawson arc away on business. Dawson should bo back in timo for next Saturday's match against Karori. Oollego were out to win last Saturday, and from tho start they made matters hard for their opponents (Y.M.C.A.), the latter failing in combination. Every man in tho College team played up to form; on tho.other side tho Y.M.C.A. were vory much "off form," and considerably handicapped. Holmes seemed inept, and Parton on tho wing had to work on his own. A. Parton could not keep t his feet in the mud, and lost chancos times out of numbor of doing good work, whilst Bonton (Y.M.C.A.) lot the ball hurdlo over his etick whenever he had a chance of a good shot. Ho should field the ball with his hands iuoro.

Haaso. lato of Wanganui, is improving. Collie, in goal, was called upon to save frequently, and ho'played a fair game.

Did College Cot Those Coals? The College ecore should have read 8 goals instead of 10, for tho following reasons: Beero shot what was considered a certain goal. Collie, it is asserted, pulled the ball over the goalline with his foot, and kicked it out again. This, however, he denies having done. Smith also scored a goal offside, and unfortunately the referee was too far down tho field the see definitely how the forwards were positioned. The writer watched carefully for this offside play, and noticed Bogle offside all tho afternoon. Burbidge was hurt during tho progress of tho match, and retired for some time. Wesley and Metropolitan. Wesley put up a splendid fight against Metropolitan, tho former having played their best game this season, Christie being yory pleased with the combination of his men. Tho first spell was about even, as regards attack, as the score of 2—2 indicates; but during the Becond spell Wesley showed better combination than their opponents. Birch (right-wing) shone out in a splendid run from half-way down tho field, and scored a brilliant goal. Tho Metropolitan ceutre-half obstructed a Wesley forward when a suro goal would have boon 6cored, and as tho outcome of a penalty bully which followed, no score resulted. The first spoil was "patchy" play, Wesley's shooting being somewhat erratic. Keall and Ralph (full-backs) and the halves wore good; bo also were Jacobsen, Gapper, and Christie amongst tho forward lino. Tho Wesley forwards livened things up during tho second spell. Metropolitan lack combination, though they havo good material. Thoro is far too much noiso and squabbling amongst their men. Kellaway is rathor a dangerous man to play with. Mackenzie, left-wing for .Metropolitan, wanders too far from his confederates, and does not combino with them at , all. Chapman, in goal, was good, so also was Cody (Wesley , b goalkeeper). Tho latter "saved" on many occasions. Smith, inside-right for Wesley, scored a splendid goal. Before Chapman, tho opposing 'keeper, could realise it, Smith had lifted the ball up and through into the goal not from a corner hit. Karori and Wellington.

Karori had only a small margin to claim over Wellington—2 goals to nil. Godfrey Davios and his men all played a fairly good game. Had Karori played with eleven men instead of only ten tho margin of course would havo been greater. However, thoy hold out hopes of making tho pacq for United to-day. If No. 1 ground is available, Karori should do well. It is understood that Oram will not be playing to-day. Wellington put up a hard fight, and kept the defence of their opponents busy all the time. Thoy lacked in shooting ability, howevor. Their forwards seem to combine and got to the circlo, but there they are dono. One is convinced that tho first two matches put Karori into fair form, and had they commenced practice earlier in the season, College would not havo won from them so oaßily in their match on May 2. ;