HOCKEY

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 11, 12 July 1930, Page 22

HOCKEY

Uv "Stick*** ANOTHER CHANGE

KARORI LEAD AGAIN

WELLINGTON CLOSE UP Senior A. Coals: Ch. P W■ Ii DF. A. Pts. Karori 8 « 2 1 26 18 IS V.M.C.A 9 6 3 0 24 IS 12 WelUuKton .... S 3 2 1 20 32 11 Hutt i 9 3 5 1 13 IS 7 Wesley 9 2 6 1 15 29 5 University .... 8. 2 6 0 8, 16 < Not for several seasons has thero been such chopping and changing in positions on the senior A championship ladder as has taken place this year. Wellington were the early loaders, and their form at the time justified the assumption that they would continue in the lead for some considerable" time. However, they eventually went down to teams who at the beginning of the season were not playing up to their usual form, and Karori took the lead. From past experience it was considered that the Blacks would not be dislodged from the top of the ladder, but their sensational defeat by University, allowed V.M.C.A., playing' attractive hockey, to como to the front. For the brief period of two weeks, Young Men retained tho advantage, but last Saturday they went down to Karori, although only by the narrow margin of a penalty goal. That they will spare no effort to regain the lead is certain, and it is equally certain that Karori will play at their best to keep in top place. Wellington, ouo game behind tho leaders,, brought their total of championship points up to eleven, ouly one less than V.M.C.A., by defeating University on Saturday, and with half a dozen games to go, they must also be regarded as having an excellent chance of success. Beaten by a Penalty Goal. Expectations- that the 'Karori-Y.lt.--C.A. match on Saturday would prove one of the most interesting of the season were fully realised. Tho leadership in tho competition was in dispute, and both teams played with a keenness which made the game more than usually attractive. Undoubtedly Karori had tho better of the first half. Their backs supported the forwards solidly, and had it not been for the sterling defence made by their opponents, the score at half-time would havo been much greater than 2-0 in their favour. The Y.M.C.A. forwards had little opportunity during the greater part Of the spell of breaking through. Both E. King and K. JPcrrin, to namo two of " Karori 'a backs, grafted Bolidly, and wore always on tho ball. Perrin's gamo was probably as good as he has played for a long time. Of the forwards J. Watchman and S. Roberts, tho two wjugs. gave the opposition some anxious moments. Thero wore, however, far .too many casualties. The ground .was slippery in the extreme, and it was exceedingly difficult to keep a footing, but even so there was no excuse for some of the wild hitting.. V.M.C.A/ took their share.in the attack shortly before half-time, and although they wero unsuccessful, tlu>y redoubled their efforts with the resumption of play. .But for' the fact that Karori were: awarded a penalty goal, a draw would probably have resulted. Young Men did quito as well as Karori during the remainder of the spell, but the penalty goal proved too much of a hurdle. Indian Tour Unlikely. It is considered locally that it is extremely doubtful whether New Zealand will bo favoured with the visit of another team from India. It is pointed out that to a very largo extent the last tour was rondo possible by General Birdwood's 'interest in the Doiimi ion. Another point in,' that there is little likelihood of the'lndian authorities shouldering the same axpenso as during the 192G touv, particularly as Now Zealand niaclo such a handsome profit. If the invitation is accepted, New Zoaland .will probably be nslced to bear a much heavier shareof the expense, and that may entail a risk which tho N.Z.H.A.' will not bo prepared to take. According, to sin Knglish exchange, the Hockey Association (England) has invited an :illIndia team to visit the Old Country in 1932, one of'the conditions being that an international - match, v. All-India, shall' be played? It is expected that the team ■ will bo even stronger than that which toured Europe in 1928 and carried off the honours at the Olympic Games. Notes. .. . "; | Tho Hutt juniors arc a good team. Ingram, when clearing,1 often hits t\>\ the centre of the field, where tho opposing forwards obtain possession, instead of clearing to his outside right. DaWson has the same fault, but not to the same extent. Innis is a new man in I the team, and, although a little raw,! shows promise. •

The offside rule is so clear that players have no excuse on this score- fcfr ever getting offside. Yet offside causes tho whistle more often, perhaps, than any other illegality. It is surprising that with -its double penalty offside should be so common. Not only does it put an -end to a promising attack, but it turns that attack into defence by giving a free hit to the other side. Wing-forwards am the worst offenders. It is a dreadful habit some of them havo of hanging about in an offside position with tho hope of gaining somo advantage and escaping the umpire's eye. To put a. more charitable construction on their conduct, it is at the very best gross carelessness or extreme laziness. Players who know they aro offside will frequently play on in tlio hope that the umpire may think differently. In nine cases'out of ten tho whistle sounds. Far safer to abstain and let someone who is not in an oifsido position play the ball, and remember, once offside you cannot put yourself on-side by running back into an onside position. You.can bo'put on-sido only by an opponent hitting, the ball, or by a member of your own side who is nearer your opponent's goal line than you are hitting the balL Manawatu A and B. teams visited Otaki on Wednesday to play the local representatives. Both matches wero won by Otaki, who played splendid hockey. The A match was won by 2-6 and the B game by 1-0. All sides played splendid hockey, -and the Manawatu B defeat was largely due to the fine display of Miss Howel, Otaki's goalie, who repeatedly saved. In'the A match the play of tho Otaki girls was superior to that of the visitors. Mr. H. Nicolson, on behalf of the local association, extended a warm welcome to the visitors, congratulated both sides on their fine play, and trusted to see return matches. He also promisod to give support for » team to be sent to the coming tout'iiamenfc at Invereargill.