HOCKEY

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 91, 18 April 1921, Page 2

HOCKEY

TIE SEASON OPENED

PREMISE OF SUCCESSFUL YBAR

BBSULTB -OF SATOftftj£Y?B PLAT.

Hookey enthusiasts had no reason for complaint about the weather conditions provided on Saturday, the opening day of the local season, and, in the afternoon, wielders of the crooked stick gathered in large numbers at Koiori Paik, the centre of the game in Wellington. Ac a Bile, the first Saturday of the season does not produce anything in the way of brilliant play; the players have not settled down properly to the idea of hockey after the summer months. On Saturday last, however, there was just sufficient "snap" in the air to make players "go for it, and many of the grames proved fast and interesting. Generally speaking, the nature of the conteßt6 gate promise of a very successful season. Hockeyites have been making the most tof the spare Saturdays between the two seasons, and many of the teams are already almost at their best. Improvement will come as the season advances, and there is every prospect'that towards the close Wellington will be in a position to make a bold bid for the shield, at present in tho hands of the Auckland association.

The position of hockey in Wellington is at present stronger than it has been "for several years past, and this year the association is controlling competitions for three grades—Senior, junior (A arid B), and third olass. Many of the "veterans 8' are still in the game, and, what is a still More pleasing feature) there wei'e numerous new fades at Karori on Saturday. The senior competition-promises to be very interesting this year, there being five new teams—Huia, Wesley, 'V&reity, Petone, and Hutt—the remaining elevens being United, Wellington, Ramblers, Wakatuy and Karori. Although it is very probable that the winner of the competition will be found amongst the last five, the other teams will not have fought m vain, for their members will have gained the experience that is essential for success. v There are numerous promising players in the lower grades, and while this is so there will be no need for fear about the future of the game. Steps should be taken, however, to popularise the game in the schools, which must necessarily form the backbone of each and every Sport. ,

Details of Saturday's play are given as follow:—

A SECOND SPELL VICTORY.

In their match with United, Wellington Wore at a disadvantage in that some five of their best players were absent. Although this fact naturally hampered the team's operations to a great extent, credit must be given to the -winnere, who gave a really first-class exhibition of hockey. With practically the came team us last year, United played with great combination, considering the fact that it was their first day out, and, although they oould not find the goal in the first spell, they had their opponents thinking during the whole of'the second, and scored six goals to Wellington's nil.

From the opening bully, the United forwards commenced a series of attacks on, Wellington's goal, and only onco or twioe were the latter able to Carry the ball into their opponents' territory. Good, defence by the Wellington backs, notably Price and Anderson, kept United from Scoring, however, despite excellent passing rjiehes by the United forwards. In this latter connection Boyd and Biohards did sterling: work, and received good support from their! backs, who were prompt in "feeding" their front-rank men. The first spelt ended without score, but with honours decidedly in favour of United. Similar play to" that of the first spell characterised the opening of the second spell, but eventually United got down to business, an<3 within a short" time L. Boyd had sent.two balls into the net. The.fiTst went straight in like a Shot from a gun, but the second wae rather luoky. The goalkeeper stopped the shot, which way a, particularly fast One, but in endeavouring to clear he mis-hit the ball, and. Boyd, luehingr smartly up, added the finishing touohes. The third goal came from ■ Breed's stick, and shortly afterwards Bmeny found the net. At this stage Wellington vu almost "out," and before the game closed Breed sent the ball into the net t*ioe. The game ended: United 6, Wellington 0. Mr. J. C. Cus&ok acted as referee, WAKATU DEFEATS PETONE. One of the new senior team* —Petone — was up ag»ifißt a big proposition in Wakatu, but, although defeated, members of the suburban team acquitted themselves with oreddt. The meeting between the twd" teams resulted in a fast exhibition of hockey, and in the/first spell Wak&tu had a lead of only one. Wakatu asserted their superiority jn the second spell, and added three goals to the total. Petone were unable to find th© goal again, and the game ended: Wafeatu 5, Petone 1. Wilson (2); Hood, Whittaker, and Stratton scored for the winners, and Webley secured the suburban team's only goal, Mr. G. Empson was the referee. TWO YOUNG TEAMS. It was expected that the contest be' tween two of the youngest team* in the senior competition—Wesley and Huia— would prove even, but, contrary to expectations, Wesley showed themselves tjp be an excellent combination, and scoured a oomfortable viotory by four goals to nil. Wesley made the pace from start to v finish) and outclassed last yew's junior champions in all pointe of the game. The following made up Wesley's tally:—Brazendale, Milk, Stokes, and Philpott. Referee: Mr. B. Ginger. A WIN FOR RAMBLERS. Ramblers had to fight for a, victory over University, who oreated something of a surprise by their play," which gave evidence of businesslike training. Smith (2) and Fredericks did the scoring for the >winnen, and Miles found the net for 'Varsity. The referee was Mr. A. Casey. KARORI DEFEATED. ■ The - only senior game ,played out of town was that between Hutt and Karqri, whioh took place on the Hutt Recreation Ground. Taw resulted in a win for Hutt by two Jfoals to one. LOWER GRADES. I Jnnfcr. A. Hni* 4 (Roxburgh, Tarr, and' L. Butcher, 2); United 2 (Bpwley »nd Morrut). Referee, Mr. F. Spier*. Junior B. Wesley B, 1 (Cox), V.M.C.A. I (Veitch). Referee, Mr. A. J. Cathie. Wesley Rovers 3 (Collins, Johnston, and Crows), Karori 3 (Butcher, Adams, and Waters). Referee, Mr. G. Cummings. Wesley A defeated Wellington by default.- / Third Grade. Wesley B 1, Huia 0. Referee, Mr. A. J. Cathie. 'Varsity 3 (Rustin 2, Gilbert 1), Karori J (Gregg). Referee, Mr. W. Dougall.