SUCCESS OF WELLINGTON ELEVEN

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 50, 27 August 1921, Page 12

SUCCESS OF WELLINGTON ELEVEN

GREAT DISPLAY BY THE FORWARD LINE PROSPECTS FOR THE SHIELD , GAME. " , (By "Sticks.") The .defeat of the Monawatu hockey representatives at the Hutt Recreation Ground-on Saturday last by the Wellington representatives" served to strengthen the opinion of local enthusiasts that Wellington's chances of defeating Auckland for the' shield this year sxe very bright. The standard of local hockey is higher at the present time than has> been the case since the beginning of the war, and the display of tlie team last Saturday brought back memories of the good, oKI day when. Wellington were able to hold their own with any beam in the Dominion. Goodi combination characterised the work of the forwards, and! there were times when the passing rushes, of which there were many, were brilliant. Heaphy, the captain of the. eleven, was, without doubt, the outstanding player on the field. His energy was remarkable, and he kept his forwards on the ball the whole time. Heaphy'g desplay entitles him to rank as one of the atar forwards in New' Zealand at the present time.

Stratton, as bully, did not put as much life into his game as usual, but proved himself- to be a dangerous man in the circle, scoring two first-class goals. In' my opinion, however, the team wouldi bo strengthened if Heaphy were put into his usual place. at bully, and-. Stratton were tried at inside right. The only objection to this can be that Hood and Stratton, who have played together throughput the .season, would be separated, bttt I do not think that the change would materially affect the team aa a whole.

Hood gave a dashing display as inside left, and did not give the opposing backs much rest. It would be a difficult matter to find a 'better man, than Hood in , this position. A. E. Smith, played left wing on account of the indisposition of •■ Watchman, who was originally chosen to fill this- place. . Smith justified his selection in no uncertain manner, and proved himself to toe well acquainted -with' the duties of'winger. He. has been chosen to play against Auckland to-day. Breed', right wing, was quite at home, and was responsible for some brilliant work. On one occasion he changed the whole complexion of the situation '• by making a spectacular run up the line, a goal being the outcome of the movemeat. N

Th« half line proved l very (satisfactory. Martin and Trflford, right and left halves respectively, did all they possibly could do, and, time and .again, nullified promising forward moves. Paget at centre, was disappointing. His place on the field is certainly not centre-half, and it is scarcely fair to play him in that place. -,' Sherwood aad Harris were practically invincible as full-backs. The former played a particularly sound game, and proved a real thorn in the side of the Mana-watu forwards. (His "speculators" were a feature of the game. •■ ' •" Great credit is due to the goal-keeper, Moore, who .effected several brilliant saves. " . ' .