HOCKEY.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 217, 27 August 1927, Page 2

HOCKEY.

HASTINGS WEDNESDAY COMPETITIONS.

NOTES BY “CORNER.”)

The Hastings Wednesday hockey competitions were concluded at Cornwall Park on Wednesday last. Ramblers and Korori turned out in full strength to do battle lor the Harvey Cup and the large crowd of spectators that assembled were treated to a spectacular game. The game throughout was full of thrills, both sides doing their utmost, but Ramblers were just a shade too good and fully deserved the win. By defeating Karori, Ramblers are the proud possessors of the Harvey Cup for the 1927 season. The team are to be congratulated on their fine performance as they have played good hockey throughout and are deserving of the trophy. Of course the United team’s protest may unset the competition if upheld by the association, but i am of the opinion that it will be dismissed as the referee's decision, from what I can gather, appears to be in order.

The association some time ago went to the expense of erecting goal posts and nets on the playing fields, but during the past few weeks some mischievous person or persons have seen fit to destroy the wire netting. Not being satisfied with this they have now commenced to break away the woodwork that protects the bottom of the goal

On Wednesday next the local team are to try conclusions with Wellington. This match should provide some good hockey and will be a pipeopener for the local boys for their match against Wairarapa, and at the same time afford the selector an oppirtunity of detecting any weaknesses in the team.

Prior played a great game on Wednesday last and was a tower of strength to his side. One of the best men playing in the competition. Spence played a real goad game, but was not given the chances that he should have been. French had hard luck in being hurt early in the game. This boy has been playing good hockey throughout the season, and was a big loss to his side.

Hawkins was back in his old position as goalkeeper and did yeoman service, stopping some hot shots and saving time and again.

Tritt, the opposing goalkeeper, was in great form and saved some very hot shots. The goal that he kicked over wap only through thinking that he was closer to the goal post than he really was.

Brown has lost the dash he possessed two years ago. He was constantly in trouble on Wednesday, penalising his side through giving sticks Try and practice the swing stroke, Brown; it’s quite easy.

'Wake was a big asset to his side. A fine wing man, but it is a pity he cannot turn out more often.

Church played a very safe game, but is still a bit slow in getting the ball away.

Mitchell, who is a new player for United, has gained rep. honours after only playing in two club matches. He plays a good hard game.

Harry Bone has been transferred back to the half line. Personally 1 should have liked to see him in the

forward line. He is a fine attacking player and a good shot when in the circle. « » * The team selected to meet Wellington next Wednesday is a strong one, and 1 thinks from the number ol teams playing the selector has done very well. The half line is a good one and will give a good account on the day. RESULTS TO DATE.

“Halt,” writing in the Sydney “Referee” of the New Zealand team, says:—The visiting team is hardly up to the standard of the 1923 team in combined play, though several of the individual players, notably Bell, Watts, Cole and Mahoney, are as good as, or superior to, the corresponding players in that team. The strength of the 1923 scoring combination lay in the excellence of its wing play, Alexander on the right and Philpotts on the left being brilliant. The present team does not use the wing forwards as much as it should. The N.S.W. team was weak in the half-line, otherwise the equal of the visitors. Abel and Todkell, the backs, played a great game and should be well in the running for the Australian team. Nettleton was the pick of the forwards.

Ramblers W. L. D. Pts. 18 8 2 2 Karori 8 3 1 17 Cambridge . 4 6 2 10 United 1 10 1 8