HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1539, 7 September 1912, Page 12

HOCKEY.

[By "Bullt-off."] RUSH FOR THE SPOLIA OPIMA. Canterbury Holds Them—Wearily. Canterbury are finding—as wo did here— that the possession of tho shield is by no moans a sinecure. Sinco they robbed us of tho trophy, they havo withstood two attacks—ono from Auckland, and the other from tho, Wost Coast. The northerners fully extended them, and were only beaten by tho narrow margin of ono goal; but tho Coasters tasted defeat to the extent of six goals to nothing. I'roin all accounts the last game was not particularly brilliant, and although the prossmen aid their best to speak well of tho Coasters, it is quite 6afo to eay that thoy wero easily outclassed, and really should bo playing in the competition for tho Nordon Cup. Hockey on the Coast ie not scientific. Those who havo played thero well know tho truth of this.

However, the Coasters havo come and tho Coasters have, gone, and the next assailants to storm the citadel will bo Uawke's Bay. The match is set down, for September 7 (this afternoon), and it would not be a groat surprise to tee tho challengers win. Canterbury, however, aro a very hard team to beat on their own ground, but tho visitors' style of play is so much the better that perhaps science will win. One can almost liken Canterbury to Arnst, the Bculler, and Hawke's Bay to Barry. As lias been mentioned before in this column, Canterbury's etrcngth lies in their powerful onslaughts and their burly tactics, whereas wo in the North Island incline more to the passing game—a game that- deserves to win, but—alas!—sometimes does not. If Wellington Goes Out for Them—? Providing that Canterbury stall off the Hawke's Bay team, Wellington will bo sending down an eleven to bring back tho "spolin. opima." And it is nigh time that Sir. Organ had the team picked. There is only a fortnight to go, and the team should certainly be chosen to-day. Tho following forward line just about represents Wellington's fleetest five:— Loader, Davis, G. Strack, C. Strack, and Reed. Providing Loader's leg stands firm, he should bo picked, and the tiuality of the remaining four js beyond dispute. It is really the half-lino that needs reforming. Tho new addition should be M'Gregor. The writer has advocated this player's inclusion before, and after watching his last gamo ho is more convinced than ever that he is the best half-back playing in Wellington. Campbell, who plays centre-half in the representative team, is a seasoned player, and a good general, but one inclines to give the preforence to H'Gregor. Had Mr. Organ seen M'Gregor's last display, and then left him out of tho representative team, his action would not be understood. The other two lmlf-backs— Parton and Thompson—are both good players, and it 6eonis hard problem to know whom to shift. Olio solution would be to replace Reed by Parton,: and p.lay M'Gregor right halftack. ■■ ' ■ ■

Then as regards tho full-back line, it also. requires alteration. Neither Baker nor M'Eldowney have played up to representative form this year, and we must candidly confess there is a dearth of good full-backs. However, wo should feel inclined to try C. Davies and L. Davics in place of tho above-mentioned two. Dwyer, in-goal; has given satisfaction in the past, although it is tho opinion of several senior players that tho best goalkeeper in Wellington at present is Cleave, of the Metropolitan eleven, who, for some reason,' has not been given a clmnce. It would 1)0 a splendid idea to hold a trial match next Saturday, September 14, when tho following teams, should play each other: —

A tenia representatives.—Dwyer, Jl'Eldowney, Baker, 'Thompson, Campbell, Parton, Loader, Davies, G. Strack, C. Straek, Beed. B team.—Cleave, L, Davies, C. Daviea, Aickin, M'Gregor, Burbidge, Birch, Boyd, Murphy, M'Killop, Henderson. Last Saturday' nil the men's games were rightly postponed, on account of the wTetched weathor. The bad weather this year will make the- season last till'the middle of October, when the junior competition. 6hould finish. Convivial Karori Club. The Karori Club is to bo commended on the spirit which it has shoivin in drawing its members together for social enjoyment. Already this year three smoke concerts and euchro parties have been held—all highly satisfactory. Last Monday nig'ht a very enjoyable evening was spent and the occasion was taken advantage of to present Mr. Gordon Aickin (one of the senior players) with a dinner service, on tho occasion of his approaching marriage. Mr. Burn (president of the club)'occupied tho-chair, and he (with Mr. Campbell) made very complimentary reference to Mr. Aickin. Mr. Aickin, in t lie course of his reply, told members that "he was authorised to say that ho would be available for next Mason. The statement drew hearty rounds of applause. Ladies' Tournament. This afternoon will see the commencement of tho annual tournament of tho New Zealand Lodies' Hookey Association. This year the games are being played Christchurch. Between 100 and 130 hockey girls will bo gathered together, so an animated timo should result, lhe competitions last nine days from September 7 to 16. and. no doubt, by that time everybody will have had enough. Tlio Wellington team, under the supervision of Miss Bramley, Mrs. De La Mare, and Mr. A. A. Bennett, went south on Thursday night, nnd, as the team .is a doughty one, hopes of success Wat high-

CHAMPIONSHIPS. POSITIONS OF THE SENIORS. •d c _m aj * J • £ — £ a - S £ p P a≤ e> 3° Karori ■ 10 9 1 0 35 11 18 College. 3' T 2 0 42 21 11 United 11 5 3 3 36 20 13 Wellington .10 i ,3 II 21 20 11 Metropolitan 11 3 G 2 29 .11 S Weslev 10 2 6 2 8 33 8 Govt. "Insur. 9 0 9 0 7 34 0 Not?.—Match, in first round (Victoria College v. Government Insurance) has vet to bo played, . JUNIOR GRADE. Karori 11 11 0 0 74 ;10 22 St. Augustine 10 10 0 0 iO < 20 United 11 7 4 0 50 SO 14 College. A-.... 10 7 3 0 58 17 M 1C.Y.M.1 B .. 11 G 4 1 33 22 13 St. Mark's ... 11 0 5 0 40 3!) 12 Wellington •■ 10 5 3 2 31 2S 12 10 5 •! 1 2« 10 11 Hntt Valley 11 S 5 1 2(i 2(1 II Metropolitan 11 3 7 1 19 21 7 College B .... 11 3 8 0 12 43 fi Govt. Insiir. 11 12 9 0 21 54 4 K.Y.M.I. B 11 1 10 0 10 C 4 2 Wesley 11 1 10 0 17 .09 2 THIRD CLASS. (As at End of Second Round.) ■Greggs 8 G 0 2 50 17 14 Kilmrnio , . Anglicans 8 5 12 28 13 12 St. Mark's ... 8 3 3 2 16 23 S Wellington .. S 3 5 0 .12 21 6 [V.C. 8 0 8 0 M 66 0