HOCKEY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 261, 31 July 1929, Page 8

HOCKEY

(By

“Critic.”)

AUSTRALIA SECURE HONOURS IN FIRST TEST

The Australian tourists gave one of the best displays to date against New Zealand In the first test at Wanganui, but nevertheless there was much to be desired In their general play, particularly In the forwards, who repeatedly tailed In the circle after good concerted movements. If life teain desires to achieve the ambition of returning to the Commonwealth with the Manning Memorial Shield they will have to improve their attack before Saturday week. The New Zealand team did net give all that was expected of them, and it is on the cards that If this same Dominion team could have had a match together prior to meeting the Australians there might have been a different result. With an attendance of about 3000, there is little doubt about the Wanganui Hockey Association’s financial venture being on the right side of the ledger. Many are under the impression that the New Zealand team defeated on Saturday wris the best available In the Dominion, but such is contrary to fact. The team, with the exception of Mahoney, who was the 6nly major association representative in the side, comprised the selection from the minor associations, and therefore cannot be classed the best side In the Dominion, How Austral!* Scored.

Hansen, New Zealand right-half, obstructed an attacker practically in bis own goal-mouth and a penalty bully was awarded. C. Cormle and Hansen took the bully. Hansen won the bully and was gaining ground from Cormle when, unfortunately, he slipped and fell on the ball, failing to roll clear immediately, and in cohsequence the referee had no option but to award Australia the penaltv goal that won the match. New Zealand forced hard for a draw, but the Australian defence held true, and Floekhardt kept his goal Intact.

The Australian Terim. The visitors have not as yet given the Dominion public anything like a glimpse of their true form on the field. But the side can hardly be classed the equal of its predecessors, that is If Saturday’s play is any criterion, for there was a clear absence of “penetration and thrust” and repeated failures to take advantage of golden scoring chances on a ground that was to the advantage Of the visitors. Floekhardt again proved himself a goalie of no mean ability, his only weakness, which was also.shown in the match against Wellington, being his eagerness to leave his charge and meet the attack, a practice which he will require to remedy before Saturday week if he is to be Australia's goalie In the all important test. In all probability O’Connor will keep goal In the shield match. He Is one of the cleverest custodians In Australasia. Both Ferguson and Todkill proved a rocklike defence. Todkill was the more brilliant of the two, and Indeed Is a full-back of outstanding ability. Be was a thorn In the New Zealarid attack, time and again breaking up movements that looked sure rewarders. His hitting in very sound and his tackling clean. Ferguson, I should say, has been asked too much and a spell would be beneficial for him prior to the bit? test, Wanless Is undoubtedly the star °f the halves He gave a clever exhibition at centre and his stylo of extracting his side out of awkward positions is Indeed pleasing to hockey spectators. The crowd were sorrv when he was Obliged to go off just before half-time. His resumption later was greeted w|th applause. The knock he received seemed to take a lot pf the dash out of him. but nevertheless he stuck to his task pluckfly. Both Grant and Pulley did not improve the outer half linen, the New Zealand wings often catching these two off their guard. The forwards repeated the same blunder as they did against Wellington—viz., bunched—which naturally spoiled the line. There were, however,, many excellent combined moves which went well till reaching tlie circle when the bunching came Into evidence and the brilliance of the movement faded. It was a great pity that these fine combined advances should have culminated In such manner. Hudson did not show up as was expected, but be s going to be a hard man to stop in the next test. ,’Stepbens again excelled on the wing, while the Cormle brothers did useful field work. They do not. however, seem to be able to put on the finishing touch in the circle.

New Zealand Team. The goalkeeping pf F. Cowles was good. He was called upon to clear some awkr ward ones which he executed in fine-style. The star of the defence was L. Spiers, whose blav must earn him bis place in the second Test team. ' Like TodkllJ, he shone out, and if anything he slightly shaded the Australian in brilliance as a defender. Mahoney, Wellington’s onlyrep., gave> a fine performance at.'centre-half, bbt b ! 8 supports, who were shaky, gave the Wellington rep. double the amount of work expected of him. He should run very close to securing one of the half-back positions In the shield team. Hansen and Brookes, the respective quter-halves. worked hard enough, but ofttlmes left their man unguarded,' with the result that Mahoney was often chasing either Australian wing. Hgnsen appeared to be playing the better .Of the two, The forward line cohiptlsed a promising lot. Robinson and Betti gave very good displays on the respective wings, and both are of the type of future shield wingers. W Thrush gave a fine account ot ninjseir, anil was always prominent In the onslaughts. He was the pick of the line, and Wanganui enthusiasts encouraged him In his good work. Heywood, the centre forward", bandied his job capitally, while Pennington was at times inclined to hang on to the ball too long. Otherwise his display was good.

Summary ot Results. The following is thS summary df results of matches played by the Australian team: Goals

Remaining Matches. Julv 31—v. Otago, at Dunedin. August B—v. Canterbury, at Christchurch. Augnst 7—v. Felldlng, at Feildlng August to—v. Now Zealand (Manning Memorial Shield test), at Auckland Association Meeting.

The Wellington Hotkey Association met on Monday evening. x . The secretary (Mr, R. H. Boys) reported

that Wairarapa had accepted the Invitation to play on the Basin Reserve on August 10. and It was resolved that a team to plav Wairarapa should be selected and that as the ’Varsity, senior A aud B teams, Y.M.C.A., and Petone teams, were playing club matches, formerly postponed, the selector be advised that any players for the Wairarapa match selected from these four teams should elect in which game they will 11 'it was decided to ask the Referees’ Association for two names. The secretary was Instructed to communicate with Wairarapa and discover their arrangements, and that the Entertainment Committee make the necessary arrangements for their etuy in Wellington. Brief mention was made of the visit of the Australian team, members mentioning the appreciation shown by the Australian men of the entertainment provided in Wellington. It was decided that the appeal to clubs should be deferred until the exact financial position in connection with the Australian match is ascertained, members reporting that offers of help had already been received from club members.

It was resolved that the secretary apply to the Wellington City Council for an extra ground, in order to complete the rounds In the senior A aud B grades. The Hutt Club was granted permission to play Otaki on Hutt No. 2 ground at 3 p.m.. on August 10, on the understanding that members required for the match against Wairarapa would not play against Otaki.

The matter of acquiring new grounds at the Hutt was again discussed, and It was decided that the sub-committee previously appointed inspect the new area. The representative match between Wellington and Wairarapa will bo played on August 10. The thanks of the association were accorded to Mr. Browne for his activities in connection with the Australian visit, LADIES’ HOCKEY (By "Critic.”) All ladies’ hockey matches were postponed last Saturday, making the third successive week-end that no ladies’ contests have beeu played in Wellington. Several players from the Technical College and University teams assembled at Tanera Crescent ground unaware of the games being off, and “Critic,” who also gained the impression that Tanera was available for play visited the ground. On examination the field was holding well after the heavy rain and was fit for late games. - Miss Eunice Charles, who has been prominent in the Huia Ladles’ Club for a number of years, and was instrumental in holding the club together at a critical stage, Is Joining the matrimonial “ranks to-day. The writer believes Miss Charles will continue to play for Huia to the end of the present season, when she will definitely give up the game. Her absence from the team next season will undoubtedly be sorely felt, as she is unquestionably the strongest link in Buia’s defence.

The sevOn-a-side tournament under the auspices of the W.L.H.A., will take place at Khrori Park next Saturday week, August 10. Good entries have been received and a most successful tourney should result. , Miss Esther Lark has been prominent on the right wing for Old Giris’ second senior team. She has made much improvement since joining Old Girls arid I fully expect to hear of this young enterprising winger gaining higher honours. Miss Lark, prior to playing for Old Girls, was a member of St. PeteFs Club.

Of College Old Girls’ senior A full-backs, I prefer the bright, tricky stickwork and clean hitting of Miss Molly Halliwell, the right-back. ■ "I regret that the parent body did not see Its way clear to make the tour definite at its last meeting,” said Mr. P. Gilfedder; commenting on the attitude taken up by the New Zealand Ladles’ Hockey Association. in deferring the definite entry of New Zealand for the Empire Tournament at South Africa next year, to September 17. “All hockey will be off by September, and It will be too late to appoint selectors and obtain the best possible team. Besides, it will be rather on the late side to expect associations to commence raising large sums of money for the tour.” Mr. Gilfedder hopes the association will reconsider the lateness of the date on which the definite entry has been fixedMiss Eileen Poole, of tlie Con tic team, who underwent an operation recently, lb reported to he well on the road to recovery. A member of the University first eleven who has been displaying exceptionally good hockey but has been given little credit, is Miss Winnie Broughton. Miss Broughton previously played for Wellington Girls’ College. Manawatu And New Zealand Tournament. As previously stated in this column, Manawatu will not be represented at the forthcoming New Zealand tournament at Gisborne. I have been officially Informed that the Manawatu Ladies’ Association strongly resented the manner In which the tournament was allotted Gisborne, and as a consequence, decided not to take part In the tourney. The association's delegate on the New Zealand Ladies’ Hockey Association wrote stating thrit he could not give the report of the meeting which made the allocation of the New Zealand Tournament, as this was held in committee. This set th<> ball rolling at the meeting, which discussed the report, and the chairman took strong exception to such matters being taken behind closed doors by the New Zealand Ladles' Hockey Association. The meeting decided to write the controlling body emphatically disapproving of the discussion on the allocation of thia year’s tournament being taken in committee by the Management Committee. The matter of sending a team to the tourney caused considerable discussion, and to show their disapproval of the action of the Management Committed of the parent body. Mr. McDowell moved and Mr. Aitchisori seconded, “that Manawatu be not represented at this year’s New Zealand Tournament.'' the motion being carried. As It was stated at the meeting that the girls themselves would prefer to go on a private tour rather than attend the tournament, this course will, in all probability. be followed. The action of the New Zealand Ladies’ Hockey Association has caused a stir in Manawatu ladles’ hockey circles, and an explanation iff being keenly awaited.

Teams Played Result. F. a: Wairarapa ... Won 7 3 Wellington ... Lost 2 7 3 Dannqvlrlte ... ..... Lost. 2 Taranaki .... Won Xew Zealand .. Won 1 0 Goals for. 15: against; 15.