HOCKEY

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 51, 28 August 1926, Page 22

HOCKEY

By "Sticks"

CHAMPIONS AGAIN

HUTT'S THIRD WIN

FORTHCOMING REP. MATCHES,

Once more the senior A championship has gone to Hutt, who, by their defeat of 'Varsity on Saturday, made their position more secure, and headed tho ladder by a clear margin of four points from the next team, Wesley. Three Saturdays ago, Hutt were in the happy position of having to win only one game to give them tho championship, and their drawn game with Wellington only reduced their lead by one point. Wesley fully deserve their placo ns runners-up; and they have, throughout the season, been a team of whom anything might be expected. 'Varsity have been a hard-working eleven, and their opponents have never had an easy time against them, but it is surprising to find Karori occupying fourth place on the ladder, and with so few points. While their team was only on a few occasions as strong as last year, they yet gave an impression of being a hard proposition, and that they failed to win the majority of their games is a matter over Which tho writer is frankly puzzled. They possessed probably the best club backs in Wellington, and their forward line, including Knowles, Cooper, and Heaphy, was at least as good as the average senior A front line. Wellington and Wakatu were never in the picture, but they invariably put up a good showing, and on no occasion did their opponents have a walk-over. Hutt hayo now won the championship for the third year in succession. It is questionable whether such consistency on the part of one toam is good. for the game. While congratulating the riversiders on their meritorious performance, the writer feels that matters might be considerably improved if one of the other teams wins next season. Such a state of affairs as at present exists must, of course, make for healthy rivalry and better hockey, but there is a certain monotony in the winning year after year of premier honours by the same team.

Following are the positions of the teams on the ladder: —

Exciting Penalty Bully. An exciting incident occurred during the Karori-Wellington game at Karori Park last Saturday. Brennan, the Karori'keeper, fell on the ball while trying to effect a clearance almost on tho goal-line, and Wellington wore awarded a penalty bully. Taylor, tho Wellington centre-forward, crossed sticks with Brennan a foot away from the net, but the latter managed to get the. leather away, but not over tho twenty-fivo yard line. The two players dashed to secure possession, Taylor finally getting to the ball first and driving it in tho direction of the Karori goal. Ho was unfortunate enough to miss tho net by a matter of inches.

A Norton Cup Sinner. The schoolboy teams which competed for the Norton Cup at Wellington this week were entertained on Tuesday night at a typical boys' dinner under tho- auspices of the • Wellington Primary Schools' Hockey Association. The tables were laden with good things to which the boys did full justice, so much so in fact that when the time came for tho several toasts to bs honoured, there was nothing to fill the glasses with, although the amount provided had seemed more than ample to tho association 's representatives. Mr.' A. Kirk, president of the association, welcomed the visitors and remarked. that the function was the first of its kind held in Wellington, and perhaps, in New; Zealand. He reviewed the steps wliich led to the presentation of tho Norton and Hatch Cups for schoolboy competition, stating that • Canterbury had held tho latter trophy for two or three years, but that Wellington hoped with its strong team (which left for the South on Thursday) to bring, the cup here for ■the first time. ■ ■

Mr. C. Burgesa, manager of the Manawatu team, returned thanks for the wel- ■ come. He hoped that ■ next year the tournament would be held at Palmorston, and that Wellington, Wanganui, Dannevirkc, Feilding, and possibly Taihape would b.e represented. Other toasts included: "Kindred Sports," "Tho W.H.A.," and the "Press." Representative Matches. Representative matches are the order now that the club competitions are drawing to a conclusion. This afternoon, the Wellington senior A eleven is meeting a Wairarapa team at the Basin Beserve. On Wednesday next, Wellington will meet practically the same-Manawatu team at Palmcrston North which drew with the Indians, 4all, but it is now stated that the return match, which tho Manawatu Association proposed should be played at Wellington on 4th September, has been abandoned. Then, on Bth September, a Wellington senior team wil travel to Hastings to play a game there with the idea of giving hockey a fillip, which' it is said to be in sad need of in the Hastings district.

This afternoon, a-challenge match is being^played at Auckland between the Auckland'and Wellington Wesley teams for the Philpotts Cup, which is at present held by the^northern team. The challenge match for the New Zealaud Shield, at present held by Canterbury, and won at last year's tournament at Wellington, will take place at Christchureh on Saturday next between Wellington and Canterbury.

Ladies' Competitions Conclude.

The following are the positions of teams at tho conclusion of the ladies' senior competition:—

College A won the junior championship, the runners-up being gamblers and Training College, with nn equal number of points. Notes.

As an example of tho interest in the game created by tho Indian Army team's visit, at a rcecnt vote in a West Coast school upon tho popularity of the different winter sports, out of throe hundred votes 120 wcro recorded for hockey (says tho Christchurch "Star"). Tho Primary Schools' Association is appealing for funds -wherewith to foster the game in the schools.

P. W. D. L, lHs. Butt ♦ 15 10 4 1 24 Wesley 15 9 2 4 20 ■Varsity 15 7 2 B 10 Katorl ...: 15 5 2 8 12 Wellington 15 3 2 10 0 Wakatu 15 2 1 12 5

W. I>. L. For Ast. Pts. Hlltt .-..v.. 11 1 1 31 .11 23 liamblers 11 0 2 GO l(i 22 Training College .82 2 27 12 14 Coll. Old Girls ..7 0 4 19 24 14 College 4 3 5 13 19 11 Kastbourne ". 1 !) 12 5-1 7 'Varsity 3 0 0 18 31 G Y.W.C.A. • 2 1 3 5 25 a Hula 1 0 10 10 27 2