HOCKEY

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 193, 10 May 1924, Page 18

HOCKEY

(By

“Right-Half.”)

A rule was amended at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Hockey Association with reference to the Zanol Cup competition, fixing an age limit of 25 years on June 1 on players comprising teams taking part in suck a competition. While there is something to be said for the rule, in as much as it encourages younger players, there is much to he said against it. The Wellington Hockey Association holds that a man is playing- in the junior grade on his ability as a player, and not on his age. There is another phase of the subject: A team selected under the amended rule will, most likely, not be truly representative, for it will rule out old and experienced players who, on their game, deserve a place. After all, a representative team, no matter what grade, should be the strongest available, and tlie rule now in force shows signs of a retrograde step. There will not be any shield matches this year. It was decided at the annual meeting of the parent body that a tournament be held under rules to be drawn up by the executive, and at a place to be decided upon. It is being arranged, however, according to reports, that each association will have an opportunity of a visit from an outside team so that they will have at least one representative game on their own ground. Of this, more anon. Wellington Club (junior team) possesses a fine forward in Du Flow. A heady, unselfish player, always on the game, he is one that will do well with coaching by some of the old hands at the game. ’ Reg. Thompson was out last Saturday despite all we heard about hii having finished with the game. Wilkins (AVakatu) gave a good account of himself in the match, against the Fleet, ■ and he appears to be the rep. goalie for 1924. It is a pity he goes down to the ball as he does. The Fleet team had a good forward line. Their work in the field was decidedly good, but they could not finish off when in tho circle. Their half-line was weak, and the backs were patchy. “Kiwi” Perrin is playing well, but is inclined to rather indiscriminate hitting. The wing-halves were good, though somewhat patchy. Cousens was not altogether happy against the Fleet, and missed several promising chances. The other forwards stood up to their game well. Martin (Petone) was in good form, and put in some very good work. He is still prone to give “sticks,” however. His fellow-back, Lusty (Hutt), was patchy, and does not seem to have' struck form so far.

Referees who have matches at other than Karori Park should post their result cards to the secretary so as to reach him on Monday. Failure to do this causes extra work and confusion. Training College junior team provided a surprise by defating Makatu by 11 to 1 last Saturday. They have a fine full-back in Haigh. Francis, late of Otago University, i* one of the newcomers to the ’Varsity Chib, and a decided acquisition to that eleven. Atkinson,- ’Varsity’s keeper, hn-s the bad habit of following the. bail too far away from goal; otherwise he gave quite a good exposition of keeping against Wesley. . Hain is a great worker for ’Varsity, but wanders all over the .place. -If he kept his position he would play better hockey. _ Burton and Thwaites, two ’Varsity juniors, are playing a good game, and will not be long in reaching senior status if they go on as they have commenced.

Will those old players willing to assist the Ladies’ Association by taking a match on the out-of-town grounds occasionally please forward their names to tin? secretary of the Referees’ Association ?

In the school matches Berhampore and Hataitai had an interesting encounter, in which the latter came off host by two well-earned goals to one. The star performer in the hard-work-ing Berhampore team was Abe Charles, youngest of a family of keen sports. The Barker brothers attacked and defended with equal determination. Bade is a defender who by good stopping and hard hitting effectively changes the direction of tho attack. To Ken Holland goes the honour of scoring the first goal for his team and school. The second goal was scored bv W. Barker. H. Holland and Chipper also shaped creditably. The Hataitai forwards combined more effectively than their opponents, ana their better team work gained them the victory. HINTS TO PLAYERS. The following playing hints have been culled from various sources, and were written by famous players. In future issues we intend to cover the remaining nositions in the team. Centre-half.—Yours is the most difficult place of all to fill. You have so much ground to cover, and you must act in the dual capacity of attacker and defender. Your own centre-for-ward is the man you must chiefly support. the opposing centre-forward is the man you must chiefly mark. _' o, i must be sufficiently forward to lend assistance ta the attack, and not too tar forward as to be unable to recover or get the ball when it comes out. It is a matter of judgment with you from the bully-off to the final whistle, and unless your judgment is sound and good von will fail. It I s easl ® you to pass to your inside left, and in passing to anyone else you must see that von place the ball in such a wav that’the receiver has not to turn on’it You must, therefore, pass to the right-hand side of your centre, and vonr pass will only be a good one in the highest sense when it is made with iust the proper strength to allow him to go right on with it Jon will find difficulty in opening out the game on the wings through the liability of your pass being intercepted by the opposing outside halves, and you had better leave the feeding of these men to others MTien a wing forward breaks through 0I “ y exceptional circumstances can make it necessary for yon to go to tackle. Yo must hurry back—you are always hurrvin<T somewhere —and help to defend, in the circle when the centre is made. All centre-halves have my sympathy. I should put my --ery best player in the position, though men are made for the position rather than the position made for the men. It is a, nice.deference which will be appreciated. Wino- Halves.— Except-that you are on different sides of the field and meet! the ball in a different way, your duties are identical. The wing forwards, vour own and the opposing, must have voiir chief attention. Always play close on to tho ball, except when your own side are in the circle. Then you must stand a lit tie back with your eve on the opposing outside forward, who will so easily break a wav should the ball be hit to him- When you dribble only do so with the. object of drawing your opponents and improving the opening yen intend to make for the men in front of you.