MEN’S HOCKEY

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 185, 4 May 1936, Page 11

MEN’S HOCKEY

Start of Senior Grade Competitions FOUR GAMES DECIDED The indifferent standard of play in nein Iv all matches on Saturday when the XVellington Hoekey Association began its senior und senior B grade competitions was all that could be expected in view of the general rawness inevitable at the start of any season. Furthermore, the stormy weather added to the raggedness of the afternoon's play, Fpur senior games were decided. Plajing at Karori Dark, Karori I defeated Karori II by five goals to three, and on a neighbouring field Technical had an even more decisive victory over Wesley, the final score beiu,g 6-3. At Nai Nai, Huia took honours from University by 4 goals to nil, and at Hutt Recreation Ground Hutt and Wellington played a drawn match, the score being 2all. KARORI 1 v. KARORI II Notwithstanding the heavy overnight rain and the squalls during the day, the turf on No, 2 ground at Karori Park was in a surprisingly firm condition for the first official encounter of the season between Karori No. I and Karori No. 11 teams. Both sides played only ten men, mid changes opposition were made during the progress of play with a view to trying out the teams to the best advantage. No real opinion of the relative strengths of the sides could be formed on the day’s showing, it being too early to judge with any degree of finality. All that can fairly be said is that the No. 1 combination displayed more finish in the front line than their clubmates and deserved their win by the margin of five_ goals to three. It was pleasing to see Kiwi Perrin out again this season for the second Karori eleven. He seemed to be one of the fittest men on the field and an example o: steadiness. The seconds were without the services of Charlie sloore, the all-New Zealand goalie, but he will be making his appearance in due course. Scorers for the winning side were Edwards (3), Adams and Hull, and for .Karori II Nimnio (2) and R. Watchman. TECHNICAL v. WESLEY The meeting of Wesley and Technical was more of a practice affair than a senior club game, so ragged was the hockey as a result of the miserable day and the lack of previous training. Technical began their second season in senior grade well in defeating the more experienced Wesley side by six goals to three. The big centre-forward of the Technical men. Garbett, who is always dangerous in the circle, netted three of the goals, the others being registered by IVallace (2) and sleDonald. For Wesley Gracie found the net twice and Kelly got the other. In both teams many of last year’s players have again turned out. Prominent in Wesley are Bremner (goal), Dykes (full-back). Jewiss (half), and sloloney (left-wing). Technical has C. Wahren and W. Wahreu again full-back and left outside respectively, and Styles (right full-back), Cree (inside-right) and Blatherwick (left-half). sluch is expected of this combination, and last winter’s experience should stand Technical in good stead this year. They have the material and enthusiasm, and if they hold steadily together, should be nearer the top of the ladder this season. HUTT v. WELLINGTON The drawn Hutt-Wellington game at Hutt Recreation Ground was of surprisingly good standard for the first of the season, taking into account that footing was exceptionally difficult to maintain. Both sides at times gave laudable exhibitions of the short-passing game. Wellington had territorial advantage for the greater part of the game, but whenever the Hutt forwards broke away they luoked dangerous. V. Judd was one always in the hunt, and early in the game put in a powerful shoulder-high shot, but was ruled offside. He made amends only a few minutes later. A big factor in the strength of the Wellington defence was the presence at fullback of K. Osborne, the ex-Huia player, making his debut in senior A hockey. He was calm and unruffled in moments ot stress, and his clearances were powerful and well-placed. He also shot a valuable goal from a penalty corner. The diminutive Newport was, as usual, one of the most willing workers on the Wellington side, lending a stout hand in the defence on many occasions. One of the Hutt forwards, Fleet, walked into a nasty bang in the ribs from J. Newport’s stick during some hot work in the Wellington circle just before halftime, but apparently made a quick recovery. He was prominent in several good movements thereafter. HUIA v. VARSITY O. Wheatly, the swift and elusive young Huia forward, made a promising beginning to the season by scoring all four goals for his side against Varsity at Nai Nai on Saturday afternoon. . Conditions were of the bleakest at Na; Nai,‘ probably the worst possible ground in such weather. Varsity have made a wise move m abandoning their three full-back formation. and playing a goalkeeper. The fast and aggressive Huia forwards were frequently held up on Saturday, but they would have cut the old formation to ribbons. . Varsity were iintortuuate in losing tne services of Denby soon after the start o. the game. - Ho stopped a nasty knock in the face and was unable to continue.