MEN’S HOCKEY

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 225, 21 June 1939, Page 14

MEN’S HOCKEY

New System Of Promotion And Relegation EFFECT ON PLAY (By Bully.) Now that the first round ot the Wellington Hockey Association's competition games has been completed, the teams due lor promotion aud relegation have sorted themselves out. From the eeuior first division, Wellington aud Varsity will be relegated to senior second division, anu from the second division Hua 1 aud lluia ]1 will be promoted to the grade above. In bringing into force this new system of promotion and relegation at the end ot the first round, the association did so with but one object in mind —the improvement of the standard of play in the city competitions—it being contended that the fear of relegation and the promise of promotion would create more enthusiasm among clubs which season after season have been content to rest on their laurels. It can be said definitely that there has been a marked improvement shown by two or three of the senior teams, which have in the past been content to occupy a low place on the championship ladder, secure in the thought that they would have their game of senior hockey every iyeek, win or lose, and giving little thought to team tactics and individual improvement. . ■Wellington and Wesley have improved greatly, and it is perhaps unfortunate for Wellington that they will be forced to play in a lower grade for the remaiuder of the season. The same cannot be said of the Varsity team, which has gone back in its play as the season has progressed. It is hard to understand why they have not recorded better performances, because, on paper, they appear a reasonably strong combination. “Bully” is inclined to believe that there are some members of the side whose enthusiasm for tne game is only lukewarm, and the geneial feeting of team-spirit and co-operation has been lacking accordingly. Chance to Prove Worth. If the teams which have been relegated feel that they have not been treated fairly, now is the time to prove convincingly that they are definitely out of their grade in the second division. Whether tjie promotion of the two leading sides. from the second division is warranted is a moot point, and cannot be condemned till the experiment has been given a fair trial. It would appear at present that the two Huia teams will be out of their grade, but they have been playing exceptionally well in the second division, and. they may surprise some of the teams in their new B All" through the lower grades there has been keen competition among the teams for promotion, and there is no doubt that the enthusiasm shown has greatly improved the standard of play. Representative Games. Wellington, to date, has played two representative games and been beaten each time. The Canterbury game, played on the King’s Birthday, resulted in a win for Canterbury by 2 goals to nil, and the match in Palmerston North last Wednesday was won by Manawatu by 5 goals to 2. In the finst match the Wellington side, which was at full strength, played excellent hockey, and with any reasonable luck would haev at least forced a draw. The same cannot be said of the team which travelled to Palmerston North, as they were badly beaten by a side which adapted themselves far more quickly to the wet ground and gave a generally better display of hockey. The Wellington team for this match was unfortunately not up to full strength, as a number of the more prominent players such as Marshall, Wilosn, Edwards, Chapman and Kelly were unable to make the trip.

Excellent Club Game. Last Saturday Karori I and Huia gave the spectators an excellent exhibition of hockey on Karori Park, and it is indeed a great pity that games of this standard are not seen more often. The Hu(a side has improved wonderfully as the season has progressed, and the improvement is very noticeable in the play of their halfbacks. Dixon, in particular, is playing great hockey, and Rough, at centre-half, seems to have settled down. Karori I are a team which play very erratic hockey, and it is nevpr surprising to their supporters to see them playing bad hockey against a weak side and good hockey the next week against a strong side. Some of the players seem very casual, and they do not seem to be as fit as they might be. The team have been unfortunate in not having’C. Edwards’s services for the last two games, as he received a bad knee injury in the Canterbury match. He and Browne have a fine understanding in the forward line, and his loss has been a severe blow to the side. It is to be hoped that he will be quite fit again for the representative games which will be played later in the season.