HOCKEY

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 132, 7 June 1930, Page 22

HOCKEY

Br "Sticks"

GAME AT ITS BEST UNIVERSITY TOURNAMENT SEDDON STICK TO OTAGO SENIOR A.

If local club hockey were :u; inlerosting and pretty to watch as some of that seen in the inter-University men's tournament, the game would have many more supporters. The games on Saturday, Auckland v. Canterbury and Otago v. Victoria, were always -worth watching-, and the issue in each game was in doubt until the final stages. Canterbury and Auckland provided a strenuous tussle, a feature of which was the number of casualties. The Aucklanders suffered more in this respect that their opponents, and no less than three of their men were disabled. One was carried off just as the second spell ended with the teams on level terms, and the Aucklanders were obliged to play out extra time with ten men. Under such circumstances, it seemed inevitable that Canterbury would be able to win, but the northern students more than held their own. A half snapped up the ball as it came past one of- his forwards, and the whole vanguard was through the Canterbury defence and the ball in the net in a moment. The game ended with Canterbury attacking vigorously but being kept in check in the twenty-five. Considering the number of injuries, it may be said that the standard of the hockey suffered as a result. It did, but not to an extent which marred the game or detracted from its interest.

Otago played attractive hockey against Victoria, and outshone the local players throughout the greater part of the game. They handled their sticks like true representative players, kept their places admirably, and played together as a team should. Victoria made up what they appeared to lack in finish, with dashing play and good individual efforts. dimming was a sound full-back, and Bollard, Simpson, and Bishop gave good showings. But the team generally did not impress anything like as much as Otago, and in the writer's opinion, the better team won.

The star turn of the tournament was the game between Otago and Auckland in the play-off on Monday for the Seddon (Stick. The hot pace set at the outset was maintained to the end, and spoke volumes for the training which the players must have undergone. Not a player on either side but kept his place, and marked his man, aud the result was easily the fastest and most exciting game seen on .Karori No. 1 for some considerable time. The way Hie teams played the ball aud not the man was a. matter of favourable comment ou the side-lines. There were no disablements of a serious nature, and from all viewpoints the match was a delightful exposition of hoekoy played with due regard for the rules and in an admirable sporting spirit. Auckland won by two goals, but Otago gave them the game of their lives, and a draw would not havo been an unsatisfactory conclusion. Auckland had much to thank their goalkeeper for. With any one less reliable between the posts, the Seddon Stick would probably have gon-o south. Karori' and Y.M.C.A.

Kavori and Y.M.C.A; were better matched on Saturday tlian most interested parties probably anticipated. The first spell was wholly in Karori's favour, but Young Men kept them busy for the greater part of the second spell; Willi a stronger set of halves, Y.M.C.A. ■would in all probability have done much better. Whether Karori were content to hold on their substantial lead and so did not exert themselves as much as if they had been losing, it is hard to say, but so far as appearances were concerned, they gave the impression of playing their usual game. Falconer was as always a tower of strength to Young Men in full-back position. It is understood that in. future he will be playing with the halves. This should have the effect of bolstering up the half-line, but it will require a, good full-back to fill the vacancy. With fast forwards such as .Karori and Wellington possess, a. great deal of work devolves on the full-backs,, especially if the halves are at all. weak, and Y.M.C.A. will be making a poor move if, in strengthening the halves, they weaken the last line of defence.

Primary School Difficulties. Thoso in charge of the primary school competitions are finding difficulty in carrying on this season owing to certain of the city reserves not being open for play on Saturday mornings. Twelve matches have to bo decided every week, and the position at present, is that the competitions have to be split up, some lining played on Wednesday afternoons and the remainder on Saturday afternoons. This means that the teachers interested have to give up much more of their time than if all the games were played cm Saturday afternoons. Saturday grounds are available at Piric street, at Xorthland, which is not at all suited for hockey, and at Karori Park, on which ground the schoolboys arc allowed only half an hour. Unless permission is given for the use. of tho grounds on Saturday mornings, there is a danger that school hockey will go back.

Players and Kules. Some of the players in tho interI'nivorsily ladies' tournament displayed a .startling ignorance of the fundamentals of the game. For instance the referee (Air. R. P. (Staples) was asked several times how penalty corners should be taken. However, this lack of knowledge of what should bo second nature to senior players is not peculiar to the ladies. It is stated that several senior men players have admitted that they have not looked at a rule book this season. Thus it is essential that referees should be thoroughly versed in all points of the game. Players look to the referees for instruction, and the latter should be able at all times to explain their actions on the field. Nevertheless, the fact that; the referees should know what they are doing does not absolve players from studying the rule book and making themselves familiar with all it contains.

Coals. Clip. p. W. L. I). V. A. Pts. WclliiiKton .3 3 0 6 12 i (i Karorl ..1 3 1 0 12 ft 0 Y.M.C.A. ..1220 S 11 4 Hutt, .... 4 2 2 (I 5 2 4 Wesley .4130 V 16 2 University. 3 0 3 0 3 8 0 SENIOR B. Hutt A .. 4 4 0 0 10 7 S University A S 3 0 0 15 6 (1 Wellington 4 2 2 0 12 (i 4 I'ctone . 3.2 1 0 10 4 4 Tm. Cnl.. 4 2 2 0 S 7 4 Wesley ..4 2 2 0 4 10 4 Hniii ... 3 1 2 0 •<; ]f, 2 Hula :; 1 2 0 0 111 2 Karori ... 4 I 3 ft X III 2 University It 3 1 2 0 4 7 2