Hockey BEST TO DATE

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 78, 29 September 1934, Page 22

Hockey

BEST TO DATE

AUSTRALIAN TEAM

CREDITABLE RECORD

" It is generally agreed among those with «v knowledge of tho finer points of the gaino that the Australian men's hockey side which recently toured the Dominion was tho best combination that has ever represented tho Commonwealth in this country. Before tho team arrived there were tho usual misgivings about the success of tho tour and the financial outcome, but, making fair allowance for such important factors as heavy grounds, sickness among the team, and the staleness caused by playing so many matches' in a short period—actually eighteen matches in fivo weeks—the visitors did exceptionally well. Thoir record on the tour was infinitely better than thoso of tho previous Australian teams to cross tho Tasman, and their conduct on the field and off was exemplary and was favourably commented upon throughout the country.

A point which might well bo kept in mind for the future is that of limiting the hospitality extended to touring teams to sueli an extent that they will not be affected in their displays as was undoubtedly the case with the recent tour. It is all very well to make lavish arrangements for entertaining visiting sides, but the cumulative effect of many functions must have a serious result on the fittest: of .men, and it is not surprising that the last two matches of the recent tour, against comparatively weak home teams, were lost by the visitors. The difficulty, of course, in the future will be to strike a happy medium, neither overdoing the hospitality nor making it appear to the tourists that their welcome is not the most cordial one. This difficulty arises with most tours, and not only in hockey, and caroful consideration by the local associations should have a beneficial effect.

The Australian team did not take back the Manning Memorial Cup, which' Australia has yet to win, but the performances given against . such strong teams as those of Canterbury and Auckland and the fine display under adverse conditions in the Test match at Dunedin proved conclusively that the Australian standard bears favourable comparison with that of New Zealand and has made great improvement in recent years. Auckland are the strongest provincial side in the Dominion at the present time, and'the fact that the visitors were able to share the honours in a hard-fought game is sufficient indication in itself of their real worth. J. Allen, centre-forward, was a brilliant player, but he lacked men', of equal calibre alongside him; otherwise the team might have gone, through New Zealand without a loss. The halves impressed with their accurate passing to the forwards, using the push-shot for this purpose in a way that is seldom seen in New Zealand. In stickwork the visitors were always worth watching, and their general tactics were in some respects unorthodox but sound.

The complete record of the tour is as follows: v. WaikatCk, lost 2-3; v. Dannovirke, won, 5-1; v. Horowhonua, won, 4-0; v. Wellington, lost, 1-3; v. Nelson, won, 4-2; v. Motueka, won, 4-0; v. Marlborough, won, 5-0; v. Kaikoura, won, C-0; v. Canterbury, won, 2-1; v. Malvern, won, 6-0; v. Geraldine, won, 8-0; v. Now Zealand,- lost,-3-5; v. North Otago, won, 4-2; v. Manawatu, lost, 1-2; v. Hawke's Bay, won, 4tl; v. Auckland, drew, 3-3; v. Piako, lost, 0-2; v. Rodney, lost, 4-6. Won 11, lost 5, drew Ij goals for, 66; against 31.