HOCKEY

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 132, 5 June 1915, Page 14

HOCKEY

(By "Sticks.") WHAT CONSTITUTES A GOAL? A good deal of uncertainty seems to exist in some minds as to what constitutes a goal. The rule says: "The ball must pass entirely over the 'goal-line under the bar, having been hit by or glanced off the stick of an atfcackeT from inside the circle." It is not sufficient that the ball be struck by an attacker outside the circle, or that the ball should glance off the person of a defender in tho circle into the net, or even off a defender's stick. It would be well for all to remember that the qualifying condition governing all others is that the ball must touch the stick of an attacker in the circle. Even if a defender _ deliberately I strikes the ball through his own goal j when hard pressed, the result is only a penalty corner, provided, of course, that the bail has not touched the 6tick of an attacker since it entered the circle. A rebound to the net from the person of an attacker is only a. goal when (1) the ball isstruck inside the circle by an attacker stick, and (2) no breach of the knock-on rule has occurred. The latter is rare. INSURANCE EASY PREY. The Karori-Insurance match last Saturday resolved itself into a # contest between a vastly superior team in tactics and a weaker one in all but spirit. _ The goodnatured losers, unable to convince by their hockey, certainly did with their .easy indifference to defeat and the way they kept going to the finish. Neither side was at full strength, but while that de.moralised Insurance somewhat, it did not seriously hamper Karori. Their forwards certainly played with fine combination, and wasted few opportunities. Pell, up from the juniors, played exceedingly well in Brooker's place, one goal from a long centre by Loader — quite typical of that player — being, a treat. The black backs are becoming very solid. The younger Ballantyne showed" up nicely with heady , feeding of his forwards on the left, which side nearly alwayß gener-- 1 ates Karori's attack. Insurance forwards' failed, but Surgeoner, Cameron, and Stockely-Jones (backs) had a warm afternoon, and did some" good work. Surgeonejr was plucky to continue t after a blow in the face such as he received. what's, Wrong* with united? United appear to. be falling off, and it is already quite_ apparent that they will have to vastly improve if they wish to maintain their prestige of last year. Last Saturday tho at one time indomitable eleven could do no better than draw with Wellington, and the latter is by no means a strong team this season. In a way _it is difficult to account for. the surprising result, but those who saw the match should feel little astonished. United, who, .by the way, were without the services of their smart winger, Emeny, were not at all comfortable at any stage of the game;* they seemed to lack their usual confidence and final dash. Tho two full-backs (M'Eldowney and Jacobsen) were obviously troubled by Wellington's smart ' forward line, tho former finding that his. slow, matter-of-fact''method does not always pay. He should try to adjust his play .to suit varying oircumstances. The half line was vigorous, but in common with the back men, it_ indulged in rather too much hard hitting. This was apt to rob the game, of much of its interest. The forward line did not work in such unison as on previous occasions, but this was probably due principally to the, absence of Emeny. Perhaps it would not be going too far to say that Hunter (in goal) 6aved United from defeat. Hunter played a watchful, heady game., and was ever ready with his boot. He filled the bill with honours, ' stopping numerous dangerous shots in good style. WELLINGTON DO BETTER. Wellington must be complimented on keeping their opponents so well in check. The forwards, particularly -Shearan, played a bright, .enterprising game, and proved they were no novices at the Bhooting game. Bay was fast and tricky on the wing, and. the many rushes he was instrumental in starting would have ended with better results but for the sturdy- resistance offered by Hunter. The backs were a hard-hitting lot, and should learn as they go on. A TEAM FROM TRENTHAM. Hockey players have responded nobly to the country's call for recruits, and included in the Sixth Reinforcements there are many wielders of the stick. The result is that a team, or in fact two teams, have been organised,- and application has 'been made to enter a team for the second round of tho senior championship. Tho management committee has agreed to receive one entry, but owing to tho lack of grounds is unable to take a second. The Trenthxm eleven will coramonce playing next Saturday. The number of teams in the championship will now necessitate a bye each Saturday, and interest in the championship -should be increased. WEDNESDAY PLAYERS. It was at first anticipated that there would be two Saturday senior teams arise out of tho disbanding of the,. Wednesday Hockey Association. Instead, two junior teams have been organised, and as amplo provision in the matter of grounds has beei made, they will commence playing next Saturday. Perhaps some .of tho •other players will go to fill up the depleted ranks of junior team 3 who, it would appear, are'badly in need of reinforcements. The Wednesday Association has donated ■to the main association tho "Pfaff Jubilee Cup" for the runner-up in the 1 senior competition. This cup can never be won outright. ' THE LADIES. Tho ladies' championship iraa advanced I another 6tage on Saturday, but the games were on the tame side. Rambler A seem to have found their feet, for they outmatohed Girls' College. R*mbltr should make tho pace warm for University when they meet them hi the second round. Huatahi hail a hopelees task in their match against 'Varsity, and left the field with ten goals against them. Huatahi are taking their beatings _ philosophically Skill may be an absent virtue, but pluck is not. In tho junior grade, To Aro continue to lead the -way. The sight oi 'Varsity's backs driving and placing so cleverly, and their forwards moving down field in perfect lino, passing neatly and, above all, scoring goals with great precision, showed 'Varsity's star in the ascendant. Their wonderfully consistent improvement has a, reason not far to eeek. Hero a fair left-winger markedly clever with her stick and fleet of foot, after progressing rapidly would centre at the. right moment, and a.n equally versatile comrade in centre or inside position would bsvng it home. Then', mayhap, the right side would emulate the deeds of their victorious left. Ever and anon came the criss-cross attack in which all participated. Perhaps it' was a nuggety half who, planted, astrido the track of the opposing winger, intercepted and transferred accurately to well-placed forwards. Or, further afield, the full-backs, who oft-times wormed out of a phalanx of attackers, cleared beautifully. Th» whole suggests the hand of a, coach who "knows something." 'Varsity, Girls' College, and Te Aro School are all being carefully coached. Congratulations to those workers whose self-imposed tasks are proving so fruitful. THE LADIES' TOURNAMENT. The annual, tournament will be held as usual this year. But where? That is a, point yet to be decided. In the meantime the local ' association has been, in communi.ati'on with the parent body, with the result that the former has expressed its opinion on the matter Wellington does . not want the tournament, but in Mio event of other arrangements not being possible, the local association will agree to meet the parent body. . It is to be hoped other arrangements will be made, as the present is anything • but a good time to hold suoh an event. Anyhow, Wellington has given the New Zealand Association something to go upon.