SHIELD TEAM

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 36, 11 August 1934, Page 22

SHIELD TEAM

GENERAL APPROVAL

GAME AGAINST NELSON

By "Sticks."

The selection of Wellington's team to ehallengo for the New Zealand Shield, now; hold by Auckland, on August IS seems to have met with, almost general approval, and even those who 'find objections to the final choice can suggest only minor alterations. Considerable valuo would have attached ordinarily to the WellingtonNelson representative match on Saturday, which it was hoped would bo in tho nature of a trial for a tentative shield team, but the weathor conditions introduced factors which could havo assisted tho selectors very little. Tho Nelson mon appeared to bo upset by the state of tho ground from tho commencement of play, and in the second spell they provided so little real opposition that tho Wellington players wero not called upon for anything like the efforts they are likely to have to make against, tho strong 'Auckland team. ■■■ Under such circumstances tho local side, was able to play to the best advantage, and although tho game was one-sided, particularly after tho interval, some attractive hockey was played. The Wellington forwards made light of the Nelson defence and swept through it time and again for decisive goals. Tho halves were never seriously bustled, and the full-backs and goalkeeper had little to do. Accordingly tho impression at times was one of brilliant play, and it was necessary to remember that the weakness of the opposition was an important contributing factor. The selectors themselves must have realised this and made allowances, but tho fact that their final choice comprisos all those who played against Nelson indicates that thoy regarded changes as unnecessary. Thero wero players among the original twenty-threo trainees whoso places in the shield team vvoro assured on their form in competition games, and tho others woro moro or less on a par. If changes had boen mado tho gain would probably, havo boen very slight, and those who took the field against Nelson havo had tho advantage of playing together. All things considered tho challenging side should worthily represent Wellington in what promises to be a hard-fought match.