HOCKEY

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 112, 14 May 1927, Page 22

HOCKEY

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A GOOD START

COMPETITIONS UNDER WAY

CHANGE OP HEADQUARTERS

SENIOR A.

The local hockey season commenced under ideal conditions on Saturday last, the grounds generally being in tiptop order after the heavy rain of the previous week-end. Naturally enough, few of the games were up to standard and frequent whistle-blowing, necessitated by the usual breaches of the *ules, robbed the encounters of much of their interest. There were, however, some outstanding features in the A grade play, the defeat of Hutt, last year's champions, by University coming as a surprise to supporters of the suburban team. The Hutt senior B eleven also "crashed," Wesley putting a strong team on the field to gain a 4-3 advantage. By far the brightest game was that between Karori A and Wellington, the stickwork and combination shown being unexpectedly good ajl-round, while the tactics employed, especially by the Blacks, were delightful to watch. "Stumblings from Taranaki." Further reference to Taranaki's proposal that the headquarters of the parent body should be changed from Christchurch to Wellington was made in a letter received at Monday's meeting of the W.H.A. from Wellington's delegate in the South, Mr. G. 8. Strack. "We hear rumblings from Taranaki as to a shift of headquarters to Wellington," said Mr. Strack. "Taranaki must be waking from a long sleep, for they left it until two days before the annual meeting before wiring me to accept the position as their delegate. . . The executive here-are keen, up-to-date, and a very impartial body, and you have to consider whether you have the men of experience and ability who will sacrifice the time to make the change a success. Have you got them?" The tone of the letter indicated that Mr. Strack was wholeheartedly against the proposal, but he nevertheless asked for as to the W.H.A.'s view -of the matter. Mr. R. Hardie Boys: "It, is not necessary for us to reaffirm our decision in. regard to this matter." The secretary (Mr. L. S. P. Butcher) was instructed to write a comprehensive reply to Mr. Strack, setting forth the executive's views. Karori'B Plying Start. The Karori Club made a flying start for championship .honours on Saturday, winning two games and drawing two out of five matches. The only^game lost was that in which the : B team met Wesley in the senior A grade, and it appeared to the .writer that much better form will have to be shown if the team is to justify itself. In the forward line, the weakness was most apparent, the most prominent fault being a habit of bunching which spoilt many chances of scoring. Undoubtedly the best man in the team was C. Moore in goal. Cool and reliable, he showed himself to be a real A grade player, and he did much to keep the score down. The A team defeated Wellington by a two-goal margin, and gave promise of being a formidable eleven, the combination and tactics shown auguring well for good performances to come. The Perrin brothers, "Kiwi" and H, were always on the ball, the latter playing with a skill almost equal to that of his brother. He should be a valuable acquisition. It. Cooper was a fine shooting forward, and- his cooperation with T. Watchman; on the left wing, resulted in two splendid goals. E. Guy, in Wellington's goal, was hard-worked and brought off some remarkable saves. He was given good assistance by Martis, full-back,, who, however, waß robbed more frequently of the ball .than has been the case in previous seasons. He still retains his exasperating but effective habit of waiting for his opponents to reach him before he gets rid of the ball.

Arranging Rep. Fixtures. The City Council has allowed hockey the use of one ground at. the Basin Besorve on two Saturdays on the. same terms as applied last year. Last season, a ground was available on three Saturdays, but it was used on two Saturdays only. The Management Committee of the W.H.A. endeavoured; on Monday night to draw up a tentative programme of representative fixtures to be played on the Basin, but in view of the N.Z.H.A. 's decision to stage a Shield toui-ney this season, it was found difficult to suggest suitable dates and matches. After some discussion, it was decided to ask the parent body for an early reply as to the date and venue of the tourney. Permission is also to be asked for a game here with the | Now Zealand team before it loaves for Australia, whether on a week day or a Saturday. [ Secondary School Hockey. ■- There is a possibility of hockey being played by Wellington College boys under the auspices of the W.H.A. if the consent of the principal can be secured. A deputation is to wait upon the acting-principal (Mr. A. C. Gifford) to further views of the W.H.A. It is understood that one of the masters has promised support if tho game is established in the college. Hutt Park a Stand-by. The Grounds Committee of the W.H.A. found when fixtures for the season were being arranged that Hutt Park could be done without and that Potone would rather play either in town or at the Hutt than at the Park. The question of dispensing with (the ; ground this season was discussed on Monday by the Management Commit-' tee, and it wa» -decided to keep -the park as a stand-by in case other grounds were not available. "It is the driest ground of the lot," remarked Mr. P. J. Atkinson, in seconding the motion to retain the playing area. Notes. The Wesley senior A team is playing Wairarapa Wesley at Carterton this afternoon. •..-.-. Mr. H. Hatch has accepted the position of sole selector for Wellington representative teams during the coming season, to which position he was appointed by an overwhelming majority by the Management CoUlmHtee recently. After having Beveral of his teeth knocked out in the Hutt-We'sley senior B clash at Newtown Park, Cornwall, a member .of the latter team, returned to the field and scored the winning goal. Hutt, as has been stated, wero without the services of a goalkeeper, but wore playing three full-backs, while Wesley, during Cornwall's absence, > played nine men and one intermediate. ,The final score in the Hutt-Welling-ton third grade match on Saturday was 3-2 in Hutt'a favour.

Karon A ...... t BJ^ffi UnlTerslty ... l l_ _ g I S SSS.»•:::::: iiiz ii * XT 1!....::: 1 z } z 1 |z SENIOK B. Goals. Chp Petone , Pf ™£ t o%Ab^ Pt, s• Wesley 1 i— _ 4 39 Hula 1 1 t o 1 University .... 1 .. 1 22 1 J-M-C.A. 1 14 4 1 Karori 1 _ _ 1 4 1 i Hu(t 1 1 _ 3 I J Wellington .... 1 — 1 .80