MEN’S HOCKEY

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 199, 20 May 1936, Page 18

MEN’S HOCKEY

News and Notes About the Game HUIA’S GOAL TALLY Play Much Advanced This Year (By Watihana.) The following table shows the position to date of the.eight teams in the senior

On performances to date the lluia team appears to have attained form and fitness earlier than any other team in the competition. Those in a position to judge agree that they are playing hockey of a standard not seen in club games in Wellington for some years. They were some time getting under way last week, and at one stage were 2-1 down to Wesley. That fault bad not been apparent in their previous games, when they played with great (lash from start, to finish. On the other band, in the Wellington-Karon I game last Saturday, it was noticablc that both teams were at peak from the start, although they slowed down considerably in the middle stages of the game. The ability of the Huia men to stand a hard pace all the way has been amply demonstrated, but. they certainly cannot afford to indulge in that uaiming”up period.”

A Prolific Scorer. Of Huia’s dashing front, line, the une who most seldom loses an opportunity is O. Wheatley, the fast right-inside. Hum have the fine record of 22 goals for and only three against, in the three matches they have played, and of the 22 M heatley has netted 13. or more than the total of any other team in the competition 1

Moore as Good as Ever. C. Moore, the Karori I goalkeeper, had a busy afternoon in the match against Wellington last Saturday afternoon, and lie showed that he can be as brilliant as ever. Moore must be somethin;; ot a veteran in the game now, but last week he gave an exhibition that was nothing short of inspired, and had the Karori supporters yelling with joy. Especially in the latter portion of the game, the Wellington forwards thrust through to the circle time and again, and only Moore’s uncanny anticipation and absolute fearlessness stopped the score from mounting. Karori were forced to concede a series of penalty corners, and Osborne, the Wellington full-back, was banging them in hard and true, but Moore stood up to them iu resolute fashion. The only one that, did get through he stopped but was unable to clear in time.

A Valuable Acquisition. For Wellington, as in previous games, the most outstanding figure was K. Osborne, full-back. Osborne played for Huia senior B for some yeans, and changed over to Wellington to gain promotion. He has proved a tower of strength in the Wellington defence, and they have discovered in him another valuable asset — a powerful and accurate shooter of penalty corners. From his display on Saturday it is doubtful if there is anyone in Wellington to better him. He gave Moore a very worrying half-hour toward the end of the game, and other Wellington goalkeepers are going to find him a hard man to deal with.

Varsity Greatly Improved. Most teams are showing greatly improved form this year, but possibly the greatest advance has been shown by the Varsity side. They have, of course, resumed the orthodox’defence, and they are fitter and faster and show better combination than they have done for several seasons. They bad their full share of the game with Hutt last week, and may be considered unlucky not to have registered nt least one point. Their stickwork, especially in the circle, is still inclined to be erratic, which spoiled some of their best movements, but although they appear low down in the championship table at present they are certainly a force to be reckoned with.

Doings of Indians. Some interesting facts about members of the All-India hockey team which visited the Dominion last season are contained in a letter received by G. M. Moore, the New Zealand goalkeeper, from T. J. Blake, who was goalkeeper of the Indian team. Blake writes:—“The following boys have been selected for the 1936 Olympic team : Dyau Chand, Roop Singh, Masud, Hussain, Shahabuddin and Peter Fernandez. Frank Wells and 1 struck bad luck on the match day and were eliminated. I played for Sind and we lost in the first round to Manavadar (Masud’s team). Laurie Davidson is playing verv well this .tear for Bengal, and scored the only goal against Manavadar in the final of the tournament. He is not included in the Olympic team, perhaps owing to his poor form in New Zealand. Harbail Singh and Gopalan did not participate in the trials. Harbail is supposed to be a director of physical education, and as such was termed a professional. Gopalan is in the Indian cricket, team to tour England. Nestor, Das. Mukhergcc, Naem and Kashid did not play for their provinces, due to there being better men to replace them. The Olympic team will leave India on June 23. and are expected to play in all the European capitals.” Blake, who is at present stationed in Quetta, wishes to he remembered to al! hockey players and officials.

Retirement of E. ,S. Watts. One of the most prominent and popular figures in Auckland hoekey for the past 15 years. E. S. Watts, has announced his retirement from the game this season, states the N.Z.11.A. “Bulletin.” His'record in representative hockey, both provincial and international, must bo almost unique so far as .New Zealand is concerned. lie commenced playing the game when at Grafton Primary School, and in 1921 played his first match in senior hockey, and that year gained Auckland representative honours. Since then he has been centre-forward for Auckland almost without exception, and was apparently playing last season in just as good form as he had shown in earlier years. In addition to his natural ability Erie Watts possesses the valuable gift of leadership. He was captain of the New Zealand team which played Australia in Dunedin in 1934, and has been vice-captain for many years, including last, year against the Indian team. His record is as follows: Auckland representative, 1921-35; New Zealand representative. 1922. 1923, 1925. 1926. 1929, 1934, 1935. Very few New Zealand teams have been picked that he was not. in, with the exception of the teams which have toured Australia in later years.

grade:— Huia P. W. L 3 — D. Goals. F. O’) A. Pts. 6 Karori 1 .. Wellington .. 3 . 3 1 — 1 io 6 4 f 1 1 1 1 4 0 I > Karori 11 . 3 1 2 1 7 10 - Technical . .. 3 1 2 —— 9 1? — Varsity .. . . 3 -i 1 4 lii 1 Wesley ... .. O — 2 1 8 1