HOCKEY

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 141, 17 June 1922, Page 12

HOCKEY

POSITION OF THE TEAMS

'VARSITY IN THE LEAD

'By "Sticks's Understudy.")

"Sticks's Understudy" was* once upon a time, a very keen follower of hookey. In those days, the hockey players migrated to. Day's Bay eaoh Saturday, very ofCen in a howling southerly; and an occasional rush to the side of the boat varied ths monotony of the journey to and fro. "Sticks's Understudy" was there every Saturday, and he told his confreres who t occupied comfortable seats in the press stand at the Athletic Park .that he would' not change places, no matter what the inducement. But "Sticks's Understudy" was young then, and—well, he has since married the goalkeeper for that clever little ladies' team which, one season, covered itself with glory. "Sticks's Understudy" still thinks a. great deal of those enthusiasts who kept the game going under. the adverse conditions which ruled in those days. It is wonderful to think that the game survived. Of late years, the writer has not followed the game very olosely, and will be glad next week when notes by "Sticks" will appear, •as usual, on the Wednesday. Last Saturday, 'Varsity met Wakatu, and a close game was expected. Wakatu had been successful in each game to date, and had scored 16 goals in three matches. University had a tally of 17 goala for four matches. The expectations were realised in the first spell, which ended one all, but, in the second spell, the students got going properly, and came out victors by three goals to one. Cousin 6 was in great shooting form, and was the hero of the match. He soored each time, reminding one of the days when the Stracks had a monopoly of 'Varsity's scoring rights. Hutt had another win last Saturday, and seem to be the only team with any chance of extending 'Varsity, unless anything unforeseen happens to the Greens. The Hutt team seems to be improving all the time. Karori's name reads 6traage at the bottom of the list. Those who went to the Bay with "Sticks's Understudy" will remember the prowess of the Blacks in those days. The following table shows the position of tho teams in the senior competition after last Saturday's games: —

Wellington will not have a very strenuous season this year as tar as representative games are concerned. The following j fixtures 'have been definitely arranged: — Againsi Wairarapa, Basin Reserve, 22nd Against Canterbury, Basin- Reserve, 12th ' August. - . Against Auckland, Basin Reserve, 2nd September. The match against Auckland will be for the shield, and will come at th© end of a tour of the Northern team. The Nelson Association has invitefl Wellington to send a team across, and a match may bs arranged for 12th August. The hints to players by Mr. Bog. Thompson, which hava appeared in The Post's hockey column from time to time have been read with much interest. Several correspondents have expressed gratification at the valuabls nature of his notes. One writer says: "'Players are greatly indebted to Mr. Thompson for his practical interest in the game of hockey.' Ho has given us tha benefit of liis experience over a number of years., I know that the notes have been of considerable value to many players." "A.J.G." writes: "With jour permission I would like to give * few hints to lady players regarding footwear. So many ladies turn out in the sandghoo that I wonder more do not puffer from broken or at least sprained angles. The ideal footwear, in my opinion, is a stout shoo studded with cpne-auaped leather studs, and the goalie should wear boots. If this kind of footwear wero used the ball could, with safety to the player, be stopped with tho foot, enabling a quicker clearance to lie mad<^ than oould otherwise bo done when using- the Land." This is pertinent advice, and the lady players axe recom- i mended to take it to h«art. The resuscitation of the New Zealand 3iockey Referees' Association, decided upon at a conference held this week, will bo welcomed. Vlie headquarters of ths association will bo Wellington, and - Mr. W. Simpson is the president. The secretary is Mr. A. \V. Manning, whose valuable services to hockey extend over a long: period. Tho new association will make I for uniformity in the interpretation of rules. In this connection tho association appointed a rules committee, consisting of Messrs. Simpson, _ Manning, and L, Nortonl —a committee in whicli complete j confidence can bo placed.

Iho Auckland referees have a system of examination, and the New Zealand As sociation has decided to make- the examina^ lion general. Eoferees will bo divided into two grades—A and B—and those who pass the A examination wili be entitled to wear tho New_ Zealand badge. Another jdovo in tho right direction!

Following the lead set by Wellingkm, the. hockey referees liavo decided to seek xepicsentation on all the loc-itl management, committees. Tho idea is a, good ona, for the presence o£ a qualified referoo at fcho deliberations must ba exceedingly helpful. Tho refews, too. have a right. to assist in the control of th« game oil tho fieicl, and representation on jcanagciiioiit committee*. wo-a! .rj oartsiniy enhance their riatns. "Sticks's Understudy" would be inclined to insist that tho referee should have a w>ts on a!l questions. Tins arrange.-neni; already holds in Wellington, whore tho refcreoa have been given quo neat ou tha mjuaurement

Jr. vv. jj. li. i University 5 5 0 0 Hutt .., 4 4 0 0 Wakatu .-,.. 4 3 10 Ramblers 4 3 10 Petone 4 2 2 0 Wesley 5 13 1 Wgtn. United 4 13 0 Huia 5 0 4 1 Karori 5 0 5 0 ror.ii gsi.j: 20 10 12 3 17 11 13 7 11 10 11 ' 19 11 15 7 16 7 19 10 8 6 6 43 2 1 0