MEN’S HOCKEY

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 201, 24 May 1939, Page 15

MEN’S HOCKEY

Review Of Senior Form In Wellington TECHNICAL GOING WELL (By Bully.) Now that three championship games have been completed in the senior first grade, the strength of the men’s hockey teams in Wellington is becoming more apparent, and after one or two more games it will probably be quite easy to find the two sides which will be relegated to the second division for the second round of games. Hula and Technical are at present leading, with five points each, then come the two Karori sides with four points each, Varsity three, Wesley three, Wellington one, aud Hutt at the bottom of the ladder. Huia have been playing good hockey and look to be a team which will take some beating, though they are weaker than they have been for some years. The side contains quite a number of young players who are having their first season of senior hockey, and at times they are inclined to lose their positions and to bit recklessly without first finding someone to pass to. Wilson, at full-back, is playing good hockey, and Dlxou, right half, appears’ to be the pick of a not very strong half line. The forward line seems to lack a leader of 'the type of Wheatley, and the whole line plays too much flat passing when a short pass to a gap would be far more advantageous. Russell, left wing, is playing quite good hockey but some of his centres are far too hard. Technical, with the same personnel as last season, appear to have settled down much more quickly than some of the other sides in the grade, and are playing a vigorous type of game. Styles, fullback, has shown very good form, and the half line, which appears to be the strength of the side, has three good men in Emley, Goldistone, and Jackson, with Goldstone at centre showing out much better as an attacking half. Garbett, centre-forward, is dangerous in the circle, but he is not making the play for the rest of the line as he should. Napier, inside left, shows clever stickwork, but he should remember that an inside forward has duties to perform on defence as well as on attack. Karori 11, composed mainly of young players in their first senior year, with two veterans in Perrin and Nimmo to p.rovide a leavening of experience, have shown excellent form, and, but for a narrow defeat in their first game against Huia, they would be leading in the grade. Daw, their young goalkeeper, is showing great form, and Perrin provides an inspiration with his play at full-back. The half-line, with Nimmo excellent on both attack and defence, is very strong, and the forward line has plenty of dash and vigour. Last Year’s Champions. Last year’s championship winners, Karori I, were very disappointing in their first two games, but in their match against Wesley a marked improvement was shown. It is quite apparent that the loss of the lateR. Harrison has made a big hole in the side, as the half-line, with the possible exception of Shaw at left-half, has not been playing well, and the forward line has suffered accordingly. Adams, right full-back, has shown great form, and his game against Karori 11, when Spiers was absent, was really outstanding, McLean, at centre-half, has been disappointing in his new position. A change was made in the forward line for the last match, Browne changing from insideleft, and Roberts to centre-forward, and there was a great difference in the attack. Jenkins, left-wing, has not yet produced the form which was expected of him.

Varsity have not produced the quality of hockey that was expected of them. The forward line appears to be the weakness and a little more devil in their play would probably make a big difference. The side is fortunate in possessing a centre-half of the calibre of Sharpe, and it is surprising that the forwards have not taken advantage of his excellent placing. Beresford has done fine work in goal, but the full-backs appear to be uncertain.

Wesley do not appear to have a strong side, but this is probably because of the tactics adopted. No side can play good hockey on hard and fast grounds with hard and long hitting as a basis. Bade, centre-half, has played well to date, and Moloney, centre-forward, is a tireless worker. It is unfortunate that the side does not possess more players of his quality The side would undoubtedly improve were more thought given to team tactics and positional play. Wellington, as in the case of Wesley, do not appear strong and, though the side has a fast and virile forward line, the half-line and full-backs do not appear confident. Wclluin and Stephenson have been playing good hockey in the vanguard, but are both inclined to individualistic play. If this side is to stay in the first division a decided improvement will need to be shown.

Hutt at the Bottom. It is surprising to see Hutt at the bottom of the ladder, and they are in this position more because of bad luck than bad play. Two or three of the side have been unable to play regularly, and the resultant alterations in the team have undoubtedly- affected their play. McColl, in goal, is playing well, and E. McLeod showed in his one game against Karori I that he has lost none of his skill. Chapman, -right wing, has been playing quite good hockey, but it is surprising to see a player of his quality an<] experience making some of the mistakes he does. When this side is at full strength they will be a tough nut for any side in the grade to crack. SATURDAY’S FIXTURES Following arc the Wellington Hockey Association’s llxures for next Saturday:— Senior. First Division. —-Hutt v. Wesley, Karori No. 7, 3 p.m., W. R. Keys and E. L. Harris; Karori 2 v. Technical. Karori No. S, 3 p.m., D. Woodfield and C. Gardiner: Karori 1 v. Varsity, Nai Nai No. 1, 1.40 p.m., W. Dredge and A. Williams; Hula v. Wellington, Nai Nai No. 1, 3 p.m., W. Dredge and A. Williams. Second Division. —-Hula 1 v. Karori 2. Karori No. 8, 1.40 p.m., W. R. Keys and C. Gardiner; Hula 2 v. Wellington, Nai Nai No. 2, 3 p.m., 11. Martin and C. Harvey: Hutt v. Karori 1, Hutt. Recreation, 3 p.m.. R. 11. Thomson mul N. Giles; Petone v. Varsity. McEwan Park No. 1, 3 p.m.. G. W. Barr. Reserve.—Training College v. Karori, Karori No. 3, 3 p.m., G. Whitham and K. Rolle; Wesley v. Hula. Karori No. 5. 3 p.m.. W. Jenkinson and 11. Kelly; Tau-b--mans v. Technical, Karori. No. (i, 3 p.m., F. West and R. Brown; Island Bay v. Varsity, Crawford Green, 3 p.m., H. J. Junior. First Division.—Hutt v. Technical, Karori No. 2. 3 p.m.. 11. Jenkin and F. Gaines; Warriors v. Wellington, Hutt Park No. 1. 3 p.m., C. Watt; Petone v. Wesley. McEwan Park No. 2, 3 p.m., S. T. Taylor; Taubnians, a bye. Second Division.—lndians v. Island Bay, Karori No. 2, 1.40 p.m., G. Whithorn anil W. Jenkinson; Petone v. Varsity, Karori No. 7, 1.40 p.m.. It. Rolle and F. West; Hula v. Technical. Unit Park No. 2. 1.40 p.m., C. Watt; Warriors v. Karori, Maidstone Park, 3 p.m. Third Grade. Knox Rangers v. Varsity. Karori No. 3, 1. p.m., R. Brown and 11. Kelly; Warriors v. Wesley. Nai Nai No. 3. 1.10 p.m., 11. Martin and'C. Harvey; Training College V. Hull, Itutt Park No. 1, 1.40 p.m.. 11. C. Jones; Teclinical v. Hula, Hutt Park No. 2, 3 p.m.. 11. C. Jones. Fourth Grade. Kiirurl v. Vnrsltv, Knrorj No. ti, 1.40 p.m., H. Jenkin: Hutt. V. Wellington College. Hutt Recreation. 1.10 p.m., R. H. Thompson and W. Giles; Petone v. Wesley. McEwan Park No. 1, 1.40 p.m., G. W. Barr; Wellington win by default from Varsity 2. Fifth Grade. Karori v. Wellington College 1, Karori No. 5. 1.40 p.m.. F. Gaines; Huia V. Wellington College 3, Pirie Street, 1.10 p.m., T. Dawson; Teclinical v. Wellington College 2, Northland, 3 p.m., W. Lowery. Intermediate. Petone v Wellington College 1, McEwan Park No. 2, 1.10 pan.. S. T. Taylor; Hula v. Wellington College 3, Pirie Street, 3 p.m., T. Dawson; Wellington v. Technical, Northlaud, 1.-10 p.m., W. Lowery; Wellington College 2, a bye.