HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 11110, 6 May 1911, Page 12

HOCKEY.

OPENING OF THE CONTESTS,

" (Bγ "Bully-Off.")

Hockeyists had glorious weather for the opening of the season last Saturday. The grounds, however, were rather heavy, and it cannot be said that all senior players were "ready." The tired feeling overtook many before half-time, and the heavy-weights especially dragged behind. But the younger players, especially those who had been training, were fairly fast, and this had a tendency to cause individualism .rather than combination. Fast forwards w;ere not fed safely by their half-backs in some instances, the result being a marked uneveuness in the play. Green was a prominent colour on r»o. 3 ground, Day's Bay, the scene cf the match between Victoria. College and Y.M.C.A. About fifty ladies, mostly Victoria College players, were in evidence, cheering on the Greens, and their hope was fully realised when tho game ended; College 3, Y.M.C.A. 1. Nothing of moment occurred during tho progress of this match, but the College forwards combined much better than their opponents. Ifitt, left-wing, and Salek, right-wing, should turn out good men with a little more practice, intt has a tendency to "close in," his hard hitting nutting the ball too far over the field.' The Strack Brothers played a good hard game. George Strack, however, gave away one goal which he should have got. The full-backs were exceptionally good. Kibblewhite, brother to the wellknown representative full-back, is a promising man, his hitting being clean and sound. He is not unlike his brother, both in quickness and strength. Howden, the Y.M.C.A.. keeper, played a good "saving" game. Loader, left wing-forward, was fast, but was handicapped by not being well supported by the half-hacks. It is hard to .understand why Armstrong, loft-half, continually placed the leather across to the right wing-forwards. With such a good and fast mim to serve as Loader, this fault surely requires mending immediately. A. l'nrtoiL-.'assisted the team as centrehalf, but it is doubtful whether he will continue playing all the season. Brotherton, in.-ide-left, promises to do well. Tho whole forward lino (with more practice) should not go far wrong. The team did not have the services of C'arde, Luke, and Collie. These three players may not play at all this season.

United commenced the season with determination, and registered the large score of seven goals against Wesley's two. Hickson played a grand game, and M'Eldoiviiey, left full-back, will prove a valuable adjunct to tho team. Dwycr, in-goal, only hit the ball two or thren times, so seldom did play hover near "llnited's goal-mouth. I'rorn the start of the game, it was clearly evident that United were superior to Wesley. They were faster, and more experienced. The lteds were frequently attacking, and were more effective in "circle shooting." Holland, centre-forward, shaped well. The halves arc a good lot, and one old United player stated to the writer that tho team has not had such a fine half-back line for many years. There is just ono point that requires mentioning, however. Morgan and Cameron, right and centre-halves respectively, showed a tendency to keep rather far hack. Jones shaped very well as inside-left, and notched four goain for his side. Guy Sinythe, left-wing, played a good sound game, but the inside-right, Thompson (brother of "Reg"), was not very sound, though practice will no doubt improve him.

The unexpected often happens, and this was the case in the Karon v. Wellington match, which was played at Karori. During Die preliminary stages of the season Karori and Wellington played a. friendly practice game, and Wellington won. Karori rather expected their opponents to beat them last Saturday, but the result was quite the reverse, as the suburban men romped home by six goals to nil. Wellington played one man short, however. In addition to this fact, Dunn and Harty did not play. T'ho lastnamed is in Christchurch, but.Dunn may be playing to-day.

Aitkon, Claude Campbell, and Elias were not present in the Karori team. Campbell, however, will bo hero shortly, and will wield tho stick again. E. Hall, es-Mctropolitan player, filled the position of right-wing, with Lower as centre. The iast-named is up from junior rank, and played a really good game. Leo. Davies and K. Spiers (ex-full-back) played centre and right-half respectively. Hunter was goalkeeper. The forward line was satisfactory, and every man displayed fair form. Hunt, left-wing, was slightly weak. He was acting as emergency in place of Elias. Murphy was in fair form, but he has one fault to remedy, namely—off-fide play. So has Hall.

Morpcth played a sound game for Wellington. The rest of the Wollingfonians were weak, excepting Morrah, right fullback, and nail, centre-half. Tho lastnamed showed better form than his confederates in the forward line.

To-day United meet Karori, on the Karori ground, and a fnst and exciting game is anticipated.

Last week Y.M.C.A. .Tuniors were to have played Mutt, on the Basin. Owin" to the ground not being available, however, the match was postponed, and ivill be played off at the end of the round. The match set down for decision at the Basin to-day is Wellington v. Ilutt Junior?.

Mr. E. Nordon has ratified his intention of giving -a challenge cup for competition amongst the Xcw Zealand Associations, lie, however, makes certain stipulations. Tho four chief centres and Hawke's Bay are to be exempt. Tho forpjer is a grand move on tho part of Mr. Nordon, and the writer feels constrained to say that greater impetus will be given to hockey. As the present holders of the challenge shield—Wellington—desire that the number of shield matches should be reduced, those, provincial associations desirous of having a representative game will have ample opportunity.