WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 194, 14 May 1936, Page 13

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Some Axioms Worth Emphasising SENIOR SELECTORS Review of Saturday’s Play and Players (By Critic.) Women's hockey in Wellington is once again in full swing and, judging by the form displayed on opening day last Saturday, the season promises to be a successful one. However, at the very outset coaches should point out the old truism that it is absolutely essential that players must train. There are some who think that hockey is too light a game to warrant serious preparation. Furthermore there are players who never think of wing their heads. They simply bang the ball about to get rid of it as quickly as possible. Last Saturday in the matches I viewed players repeatedly hit the ball directly to an opponent, when they’ had ample opportunity to look round the field. It is one matter to take up the pen and rush in to print all the good points shown by players, but entirely different when it comes to criticising weaknesses, for in the first case you receive the plaudits of the players concerned, while in the other the general reward in contempt. Without criticism in its right place hockey would undoubtedly be at a low ebb in Wellington. Points to Watch.

An essential point is that players should keep their own i>ositions. Last week pass after pass was sent out to the wings only to find the line, thereby causing unnecessary waste of time. Then, again, on tbe line-out some players have yet to learn how to loir the ball out. Surely this is simple enough to accomplish? When fielding the ball it is much safer to stop it with the hands if possible, as this precludes the chance of it rebounding. and at the same time it can be stopped dead. Speculators Were 'frequent last week through lack of knowledge on this point.

Erratic Goal Shooting. The erratic goal shooting of some teams last Saturday brings to mind the absolute essential that all forwards should persistently practice at goal shooting. How many fine forward movements are nullified by erratic shooting? It is a very good plan in practice for two players to stand about 20 yards apart and indulge in fielding the ball smartly and then hitting it away again. This method stands a forward in good stead for corner hits, which occur frequently in every game.

Game of Real SltilL If all players will take heed of these few early season suggestions and look upon hockey as a game of real and not merely one of banging the ball aimlessly about, then the sport is qure to go ahead here. The game would be much more spectacular and the players themiselves would derive keener enjoyment. What is better in hockey than to see a fine concerted movement culminating in a brilliant goal? And there is no other way to obtain this result but solid, brainy practice. Do not hit the ball for the sake of hitting, but let there be method about your play, and method will result in winning matches. The season has only just begun, so if all players, from senior down, will digest these suggestions, the game will be won —not by force and fleetness of foot, which many seem to think is all that ie necessary—but by brains.

About Some Senior Players. College Old Girls at last possess a goalkeeper who is sure to rise to great heights if persuaded to remain in senior grade. Miss Nielson’s performahce on Saturday was sufficiently good to suggest high honours going her way later in the season. Unfortunately Miss Neilson ie no’t particularly keen to continue in senior ‘hockey, desiring to revert to the club’s junior team. This is regrettable and every endeavour should be made to induce her to remain in the senior team, for her loss would be great, not only to the team, but the grade. Considering that they both have had only one season with the club and the game, Misses M. Gunson and M. Mullins played very well for Toa against Poneke. Mis? B. Parata, centre-half, gave the impression on Saturday that she has vastly improved since last season. , Miss E. McClelland showed a good turn of speed on the wing for Huia, but has yet to learn the disadvantages of offside play. Through this breach, a common failure with this player, she cost her team several good opportunities last week.

Varsity sadly missed the goalkeeping services of Miss N. Webber last week. With Miss Webber in position it is doubtful if Huia would have left the field with a four-goals’, advantage. It is understood Mies Webber has retired from the sport. Miss' J. Avery, late Upper Hutt, wns seen to advantage for St. Joseph’s on Saturday. Miss Avery's inclusion in the team has strengthened the St. Joseph’s attack considerably. Mrs. A. Smith gave a brilliant fullback display for Hutt United against Technical and showed that she is as sound and clever as ever. Miss E. Te Hiko, Toa full-back, was a thorn in the Poneke attack, stemming numerous dangerous advances. Miss Tc Hiko plays a rugged, hard game, invariably turning defence into attack, as was the case last week.

Tea’s centre-forward, Miss L. Arthur, might have enlarged her team’s score had she been able to master the slippery ground.

Senior Selectors Appointed. Tbe appointments of Mr. R. Adams and Mrs. Lark as the respective senior A and senior B selectors were made at the last meeting of the Wellington Women’s Hockey Association. Miss M. Wilkins was the scrutineer.

Mr. Adams holds good credentials for the high post that has fallen to bis lot., and he is sure to give satisfaction, as he has done in the past as junior selector. Mrs. Lark has held the senior B selectorship for three or four seasons now, and along with Mr. Adams she is to be congratulated on her reappointment. Among Third Grade Teams. The game in the novice (third) grade which held attention for a period on Saturday was that between St. Joseph’s and Technical College. Obviously both teams have much to learn in the game, but what impressed mostly was the keenness of the players. Once the coaches of the respective teams set to their task with a will little difficulty should be experienced in moulding the teams into shipshape. The players are inclined to crowd too much t halves, forwards and at, times full-backs all making a race for wherever the ball goes. Positional play is one of the vital points of good hockey, uud once this is adhered to the rest will come in its own course. Over-anxiety and keenness undoubtedly was responsible for Saturday’s crowding and numerous breaches.