HOCKEY.

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 August 1934, Page 12

HOCKEY.

GENERAL NOTES. Second round fixtures: —The following are the fixtures for the second round of the S. Burnett White Cup: — September 5: MaAvhera. v. St. Columba; Technical v. Cobden; Pacific, a bye. September 12: Cobden v. Pacific; MaAvhera v. Tech.; St. Colu.mba, a bye. September 19: St. Columba v. Pacific: Cobden v. MaAvhera; Teen., a bye. September 26: Pacific v. Technical'. Brooks Cup: The challenge of Hokitika ladies to MaAvhera, the present holders of the Brooks Cup, will be played in Greymouth on September 19. An Improvement: That contact with outside players is of great benefit to players Avas evident from last Aveek’s games, both of Avhich Avere of much higher standard than usual. A particularly pleasing feature of the matches was the absence of obstruction and ‘sticks.’ These latter have been too much in evidence in Greymouth, and as a consequence most of the teams have had their calculations someAvhat upset. Recent outside visits have taught the players many of the finer points of the game, and one can look forAvard to the future Avith the assurance that the standard Avill improve greatly. Keen Interest: Looking back to the earlier games this season one can justly say that the players are taking the keenest interest in their neAv game, and some of the younger players are shOAving unmistakable signs of training on the right lines. With barely a month to go to the completion of the Association’s championship, one can say that the game has been firmly reestablished on the West Coast, and although the season was. comparatively late in starting, good weather at mid-Aveek has permitted the Association to get through the competitions Avith very little delay. What is still more important is the fact that there have been no definite defaults during the season. This is a tribute to the fine Avork of club secretaries and captains, for it is on them that tho responsibility of fielding teams naturally falls. No Association can function successfully Avithout the support of the club secretaries and captains, and it would seem that the local Association is fortunate in having keen club officials Avho round up their players-every Aveek.

The Future: Next season a start should be made with the competitions in the late autumn, and a three-round competition should be held in place of the two rounds played this season, with perhaps a charity round to wind up the season. But the Association should not lose sight of the fact that the future of the game depends upon the young players, and it is to be hoped that a junior competition will be inaugurated next season. In this matter the clubs would be wise to interest themselves if they wish to attain supremacy in seasons to come. The Women’s Game: The women’s section has not. been very well contested, due principally to a lack of teams, and also to the fact that another winter sport is attracting the attention of many girls. Grounds: Whilst it is yet early to estimate the condition of the ground for next season, local players have found the condition of the present ground against good hockey, and it would be difficult to say just what difference this would make, were the players asked to play on good grounds elsewhere. The effect of the Coast grounds will, however, seriously impair the play of the West Coast ladies’ team taking part in the women’s tournament, in Christchurch next week. The players will find the Christchurch grounds much faster than they are used to, and this may be a .serious handicap to them.

Dominion Tournament: Several of the chosen representatives for Christchurch have been unable to obtain the necessary leave, and the team has been weakened somewhat in consequence. Mrs Eager in the backs and Miss G. Gordon (forward) have withdrawn from the team and have been replaced by Miss A. Stapleton and Miss E. Collett. Miss Stapleton has represented the Coast previously, and should be able to give a good account of herself. Miss E. Collett, and her sister, Miss J. Collett, are both young players, whose brilliant, stick work has had much to do with their selection. Both played in Southland, and should be quire at home on the Christchurch ground. Miss Tessie McMullan is also a member of the team, and the youngest at that. She plays an attractive game, and should derive great benefit from a close study of tournament play. The selector, Mr Ken Balchin, has picked a young team, not with consideration of the present only, but with an eye towards future tournaments, and it. is hoped that the players will be ready and willing to learn all they can from watching the play of teams from both Islands.

The team leaves by Thursday’s express for Christchurch, and returns on Tuesday week. Mrs McKane will act as chaperone, a capacity'for which she is well suited, -while the manager will be Mr P. Gay, of Christchurch, who until recently -was stationed in Hokitika. His knowledge of the game should be of great value to the team. Miss O. Stapleton, the captain, is also sole selector.

Game Against Buller: During a recent visit to Westport, the Secretary of the West Coast Association met members of the Buller Association, -who intimated that they wished to place in competition again the Mawhera Cup, formerly competed for by West Coast and Buller. The Cup was Avon outright by Buller some 20 years ago, and Avhen the game became extinct here, was lost sight of. Following the 1929 earthquake, the

Cup was found in a. Westport. shop, and the former captain of the successful Buller team took possession of it, and offered it for competition when it was heard that the local Association had come into being again. Press reports indicate that Buller wishes to play West Coast at Westport on September 20. This is a Thursday, the Westport half-day, and it is unlikely that West Coast could send a. team on that day. However, an amicable settlement, of the dates should not be difficult to make, and perhaps the Mawhera Cup will yet return to the Coast.

Hokitika Men's Team: The Tahua Men’s Hockey Club has been formed in Hokitika Avith, it is reported, about 25 members. A request has been made for a Greymouth team to visit Hokitika to play Tahua, and it is likely that Pacific will journey doAvn on September 12. It is to be hoped that the 25 enthusiasts Avill meet Avitli every success, but Avith so many wishing to play it seems desirable that the members should split u.p, and form two separate clubs, fl'he distance from Greymouth and the consequent high travelling costs, makes it necessary that the competition in Hokitika should be a local one, and not one dependent upon teams from Greymouth. In the meantime, a fetv visits from Greymouth teams will do much to assist in establishing the game in the South.