HOCKEY.

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 July 1934, Page 5

HOCKEY.

[TO THE EDITOR.] Sir, —Your correspondent, “Corner Hit” is quite a good fish—he bites well- But when he claims to have been the means of making me hockeyminded, w'ell, he’s bitten a bit too well. Not for nothing did 1 sign myself “Ex-player.” “Corner Hit” appears to have been quite a “big gun” in West Coast hockey in the old days if what he says is true, there is nothing like blowing one’s own trumpet is there? But why, with such an enthusiastic stalwart for “the good old British game of modernised “shinty” was it ever allowed to drop out on the Coast at all? This fact, surely, does not say much for one who, now that the game has been revived by such as “The Heavenly Twins” (whoever they may be). “We Us and Co.” and the several other

“juveniles and aspirants to honours” asserts his determination to help resuscitate the game and avoid being classed as a figurehead without brains or application, only after the dirty work has been done. What a pity “Corner Hit’s” subsequent actions belie his determination! So “Corner Hit” asserts that he knows

all about the “penalty bully!” May 1, Mr Editor, ask him a. few questions regarding this phase of hockey, and request that he publish his replies in the form of a letter in your columns? I trust, though, that he will answer

then from his own knowledge without reference to any book of rules or other authority. (1) When is a penalty bully ordered? (2) Who takes it and where? (3) When is a goal scored from a penalty bully? (4) Under what, conditions is a penally bully ordered to be taken again? (5) How is play restarted and where, if (a) a goal is scored, (b) a goal is not scored? I defy “Corner Hit” to answer these simple questions correctly. Should he doubt my competency in asking them, let me assure him that I hold qualifications by examination under the N.Z. Hockey Referees’ Association, taken within the last five years. Finally “Corner

Hit’s” offer to provide hints to younger players on the finer points of the game is almost too ludicrous to warrant its being taken notice of. It is hard, oh how hard! to imagine “Corner Hit” who on his own admission has not played for some twentyfive years, coaching present-day players in the finer points of the game, as played in the wild and woolly mariuer of “Corner Hit” and his old-time Coasters. He does not seem to realise that the modern style of play is vastly different to what it was twenty years ago. The old fashioned

“hit and run” methods have long since been relegated to such places as

the dust heap and the West Coast and science, that modern art, is now the mainstay of hockey. So far has

science developed the game tliat even “Corner Hit’s” ex-South Island rep. friend from far-away Waiuta would make little difference to a team in one afternoon’s coaching, or even in half-a-dozen. —1 am, etc., EX-PLAYER. Courtesy to opponents is the unwritten law in all sports, and must be observed, similarly, iu this correspondence if it. is to be continued. — Ed. “Star.”