HOCKEY

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 140, 14 June 1924, Page 19

HOCKEY

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'A GOOD SUGGESTION

FOR IMPROVEMENT OF PLAY

HUTT B'S FIRST WIN.

COMING EVENTS.

June 2S^-Wellinston v. Wairarapa or Manawatu, at Wellington (projected). July 30—Wellington v. Auckland, at Wellington (projected).. August 30 —Wellington v. Hirffkes Bay, at Wellington (arranged).

An interesting suggestion which is sure to meet with the heartiest approval of good hockey players and supporters 13 that shortly to be brought under the notice of the Wellington Hockey Association by Mr. B. L. Thompson, the well-known player ol representative fame. He proposes that the 'senior grade shall be divided into two sections, to be termed A grade and B grade. In the former class shall be included Hutt A, Wellington, Karori, 'Varsity, Wakatu, and Wesley, or such other teams as may be decided upon, and the B grade 6hall include Hutt B, Petone, Huia Junior, and Wellington Junior, or such other teams as may- be decided upon. This suggestion is doubtless made with, the best o£ intentions, and if carried into force, as the writer hopes, would make for a much better standard of play than at present exists. The exclusion from the higher grade of Hutt B and Petone still obviates a bye which the entry of the former ,team prevented. Excellence in hockey as in other games is governed by experience, and these two suburban teams are largely comprised of young players who would benefit to a far greater extent by playing in the best junior matches. Mr. Thompson's suggestion is a valuable one, which should, if adopted, bring about better feeling and better playing among, those concerned. Last Saturday's games provided two surprise victories when Wellington defeated Karori by the only goal in a hardfought game, and Hutt B scored their first championship points against Wesley by clever play, in. which the suburban team's careful training was shown to good advantage. Hutt A had no difficulty in establishing a win over 'Varsity by a substantial margin, though it was generally thought that the collegians would put up a stronger defence than they actually did. The match in which Wakatu played Petono had the only result that could be expected under the circumstances, as the latter teaaj went on the field three men 6hort. However^they played a good game, and it is to their credit that the score against them was not higher. The championship table now stands :—".

Hutt A still heads the list and Wellington, by their defeat of Karori, how occupy second plac^ with that team. Wakitu have displaced 'Varsity from third place, and Hutt B, by their meritorious win over Wesley, have jumped from bottom to fifth place. Petone are how at the bottom of the table.

Wellington sprang rather a surprise by their defeat of Karori by one goal to nil at Karori Park No. 2. - It was confidently expected-.that the meeting -between these two teams, when at full strength, "would provide one of the best tussles of the first round, and the spectators were not disappointed with the exhibition of hockey given by the two teams on the muddy grbtind. Welling-, ton were not without "that one man;" which they have required to complete their eleven once or twice on previous Saturdays. The game was a hard struggle right through, and was fought in the best of hockey traditions. Wellington made use of combination more than their opponents, and they were often seen in some .attractive concerted work, which had the KaroTi men bustled. Both teams used the short pass with good effect, and gained more, ground than they otherwise would have done had the adopted bard-hitting tactics. There were no dull moments in the- match, and the enthusiasm of the supoprters of the respective sides was kept up to concert pitch. The game opened at a lively pace, and was maintained until the whilstle announced the end. Wellington kept the Blacks in their half of the field for the major portion of the first speli, which ended without either team scoring. Wellington's goal came soon after the commencement of the second half, when "iNorm" Jacobsen scored with a "hot" shot from a penalty corner.

The' Wellington full-backs, Martis and Ashwin, played good games, and were responsible lor spoiling many of the dangerous rushes made by the Karori men. . . ■

"Kiwi" Perrin was on his game, and put in a lot of hard work for iCarori. Heady play in Wellington's- attacking onslaughts was. shown by "Norm" Jacobsen and "Reg." Thompson. - Hutt B managed to set the-ball rolling by a well-deserved win for Wesley at Karori Park, No. 8. No hockeyites will begrudge the Valley men their first success on the field this season, for they have in their losses taken defeat in a true sportsmanlike manner. With little difference apparent in the strength of the two teams', the game was very even all the way. Wesley depended on their .forwards, and Hutt on their backs. It was not long before this was evident, for soon after the opening bully the respective battling departments of the two teams assumed command The game was kept fast and open, and an interesting .display was given. Freethy, the Wesley skipper, was in the van again, and was a tower of strength to his forwards. Wesley were the first to net from a shot by Watkinson. ' The two teams changed over without further score. The second spell saw Hutt infuse more determination into their play, and it was not long before Barrie twice sent the ball past the Wesley goalie inttf the net for two clever goals Wesley brought their score on even terms with Hutt's through a goal by Freethy Play m the closing stages of the contest became- very exciting, with each side struggling for the one goal which would give it victory. Luck was with the rvrer-side men on this occasion and the honour of obtaining the winning goal with Melvin.

were completely outplayed in their games with Wakatu on No 1 ground, Karori Park. Wakatu encountered little opposition in ranninf up the big score of six goals to nil. The White forwards, with their combination, were too big a proposition ior the suburbanites, whose defence was full of gaps. Petone were not at full strength, beinntlireo men short when they took the field. They were reinforced by a goalkeeper in the second spell, but were miable to obtain two other obliging enthusiasts necessary to complete' their eleven. With a full-back and a goalie short in the first half, Martin had a particularly uneasy time of it in the goal urea. However, although, harassed con-

tinuously by the Wakatu forwards, Martin was often responsible for their about turn. In both spells the scene of the play was laid in the Petone twenty-five, where the suburban men were the defending characters. Had Wakatu taken the game more seriously, the final score would have been much larger. As it was the match provided a pleasant game for Wakatu at the expense of Petone. _To those who saw Hutt A defeat Varsity by 7 goals to nil at Hutt Park there was no cause left for them to wonder at the Hutt team occupying the premier -position on the senior ladder. From the outset the Hutt stalwarts had tlie college men defending with all .their best efforts exercised. Hutt's short passing and open methods of play were delightful to watch, and, with "Bob" Lusty leading the vanguard the collegians had a hard time of it. Keen followers of 'Varsity''described the team as being off colour, and lacking their usual snap. Although Hutt defeated them by so^ large a score, it cannot be said that 'Varsity were completely overrun. There were occasions when 'Varsity made several good rushes down field, only to find the Hutt defence impregnable. The game, .though one-sided from a spectator's standpoint, was willing throlughout. "Bob" Lusty, who scored four of Hutt's goals, and "ArmY Smith were in fine fettle.

Alan Cousins was prominent in the forwards for 'Varsity, and Atkinson, in goal, showed up well, saving* some difficult shots. . WELLINGTON-WAIRARAPA ' GAME OFF. The proposed representative hockey match between Wellington and Wairarapa to be played at Wellington on 28tli June has been cancelled. In a telegram to the Management Committee of the, Wellington Hockey Association during the w.eek, the Wairarapa Hockey Association declined the game, and" stated that it's reasons for the non-acceptance would be explained later in a letter to the Wellington committee. An endeavour is being made to arrange a game with Manawatu for the same date, with a schoolboy game ac a curtain-raiser." TOURNAMENT AT FEILDING. Further success oh the hockey t field was achieved by the Hutt A team on the King's Birthday, when they won the Buckland Challenge Cup for the five-a-side tournament conducted by the Feilding Hockey Association at Victoria Park, Feilding. . . . - ■ ,

The competing teams were divided up into sections, the winners of each section meeting in a semi-final. Hutfc A' and Pirates A (Feilding) qualified for the final game; and after an interesting and vigorous contest the Hutt side were victorious by 2 goals to 1. "Bob" Lusty j scored both goals for. Hutt. . j The cup has previously been held by the Park Club (Felding), 1912; Old Boys Club (P.N.), 1913; Park Club' (Feildin,£f), 1914; Kia Ton, Club (Wanganui), 1919 and 1920; Y.M.CA. Club (P.Nj 1921 and 1922, and Eltham A, 1923. Two other local teams, Hutt B and Wesley, also journeye-d to Feildinir. Hutt B were .engaged in the five-a-side tournament,'but were unable to reach the semifinal, going down to EHhanv A in the final game of their section. Wesley tried conclusions with the Feilding Wesley team for the Philpotts Cup, but were unsuccessful; the Feilding eleven securing the game by 3 goals to nil. I ■'. ■ NOTES: ' ' ■ ! "Wally" Hood was out again on Saturday for Wakatu. ' " "Snowy" /Adams shows great improvement, and is always a hard-working manfor Wakntu. '■"..'••

Mr. H. M'Gregor, the senior selector, was on the grounds at Karori Park on Saturday last. \ "LeSi" Boyd saw" his clubmates defeat Karori from-the bank on Saturday. "Les." has riot been too well of late.

„ A -systematic' classification of referees has been undertaken by the Canterbury Hockey ■Referees' Association. An examination board, Messrs. 8. G< Holland and C. Bellamy, has made a thorough theoretical-examination of 20 referees, over 100 questions being on the paper. Four grades of passes, A, B, C, and D, have been arranged. At a meeting of the executive ; committe.e of the New Zealand Hockey Association, held at the beginning of this month, says the Christchurch "Star/ the project of a visit of an Indian hockey team next season was advanced another stage, when the chairman, Mr." Goodman, reported that he had held a conversation with an ex-captain of a ■hockey team in India. In the course of the conversation Mr. Goodman learned that the game as played by the Sepoys was practically part of their military training, and each -member of the team -was trained to a certain position in the field. In all probability the visit of even a regimental team would prove an education to our players in the scientific' side of theI'game. "There is a possibility of the officer referred to being invited to give a short lecture on the game in India.

P. "W. D. L. Pts. Hutt A .......... 6 6 ■— — 12 Karori 6 4 11 9 Wellington ;....; 6 4 119 Wakatu ' 6 3' 1 . £ 7 'Varsity .>. 6 3 — 3 6 Hutt B 6 1 —■■• 5 2 Y/esley 6 1 ' — 5 2 1'otons .ii...; 6 -— 15 1