EARLY SEASON FORM

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 108, 8 May 1937, Page 23

EARLY SEASON FORM

SENIORS SHAPE WELL

(By "S:

:icks.")

The opening of the hockey season last Saturday did not bring a crop of second-rate games, practically every te.am showing good form. Evidence of training was apparent in the senior grades, the two Karori teams and the Wesley combination showing particularly good form. The weather was mild but not too warm for fast work, and the playing fields were in good condition, the wet summer having induced a good sole of turf.

Although many players must have lost a certain amount of interest in the Australian tour when they • discovered that only those who could produce £50 were likely to. be included, the forthcoming tour has'had an effect on' the standard of play, many of the players being better trained than as usual for the first day. In most cases lack of combination was more marked than lack of physical fitness or ability with the stick, and this weakness should be corrected within a few weeks. The Huia Club fielded practically all the members of the premier team of last season, two notable additions being Colin Donald, who has been in Taranaki, where he represented the province, and Dentice, an importation from the Senior B. The latter player, though small of stature and not quite in touch with the combination of the team, -played with ability and should prove an acquisition. Owen Wheatley was again relied upon in the circle, and started what will probably be another long list of scores. Wesley fielded a greatly-improved team, but the attacking line still lacks ! the thrust that puts the ball between the posts.; The fact that Huia scored eight goals is not an indication that the Wesley defence is weak; it was rather an indication of a good, open, and clean game. The Wesley players were* scarcely";'up to! their .opponents in physical fitness, the Huia combination wearing them down by reasonably accurate short passing and excellent combination between ' the three lines. ■ , :

Both. Karori senior teams showed evidence of considerable training: in the off-season. The University team, which- were not particularly difficult opponents, fo^r Karori B, has much promising material, which, no doubt, will make its presence felt once the season gets well under way. The team has several new players and, as a result, combination was affected. On their .start of the. season form the Karori'A 'team; should always maintain a high place on the championship ladder.. Two notable additions to the Hutt team this season are. Graham, a diminutive centre-half who has played junior international hockey in Ireland, and Chapman, who represented Auckland last year. These two players make Hutt a formidable combination.