HOCKEY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 162, 28 June 1930, Page 10

HOCKEY

(By

“Sticks”.

WEDNESDAY COMPETITION. RULES OF THE GAME. The mid-week competition was advanced another stage last Wednesday in perfect weather conditions, Waimarama beating Diamond R by 4 to 1 and United White inflicting defeat on Karori by 3 to 1, The Waimarama v. Diamond R match was a hard fight from start to finish, and neither side let up until the final whistle blew. The fact that the natives had the better condition stood them in good stead towards the latter stages of the game, when Diamond R were feeling the effects of a very hard match. Waimarama played with better combination, and by hitting the ball out to the wings they kept it away from the Diamond centre-forwards. The Diamond backs on many occasions failed to clear, and their hitting at times was very weak. The result was that the speedy Waimarama forwards were quick to take advantage of the openings, and in the second spell they scored two of their goals in quick succession. Diamond played hard towards the latter stages of the game, but failed to reduce Waimarama’s lead.

Tho Karori v United White match was fast, but a poor one from the spectators point of view. United played a far better game than they did the previous Wednesday. It was expected by hockey fans that Karori would fully extend them. Not long after the game had started it became evident that some bad feeling was creeping into the game, Karori indulging in a lot of talk, which the referees should have put down with a <rm hand. They wasted far too much time in appealing of else disputing tho decisions of the referees. United played a far better game, Fitzmaurice holding the forward line together and seizing an opportunity to score whenever it came his Way. Karori played top many solo stunts to have any combination, and though they have some of the best players in tho competition, they lack team spirit. A good hockey coaching is all that is required to make this one of the best teams in the competition. United ran out the winners by 3 to 1 and nre now leading for the championship. The following table illustrates tho positions of the teams;—

Miscellaneous. Gisborne has suggested to this Association that the match for the Single Cup and Badges be played nt Gisborne on July 3. A later date would be more suitable, so as to enable our rep. team to got in sonif much needed practice, The selectors were on the groutul last Wednesday. It is to be hoped that the strongest team possible will

be selected to go to Gisborne. A team of second-rate players would have littlo chance of victory. Tho Hastings ladies showed improved form last Saturday, and were successful in drawing with the crack To Awa team at Napier. This»put the local girls in great spirit. • * * Offside Rule. When th© ball is hit or rolled in from the side line, any other player, or roller-in who is, at that moment, nearei his opponent’s goal-line shall he offside unless there be at least three of his opponents nearer tlian he is their own goal-line. No player shall be offside (a) if he is in his own half of the ground; or (b) if the ball was last touched or hit by one of bis own opponents or by one of his own team who is nearer the opponents’ goal-line than himself. A player who is offside mnv not play or attempt to play the ball nor in any way interfere with any player until the ball has been touched or hit by one of his Jtoponents. Umpires shall refrain from enforcing a penalty in cases where they , arc satisfied that by enforcing it they ■would bs giving an advantage to the offending team.

P. w. L. Ch. D. pts. United White .. 7 5 1 1 H Waimarnma ... 7 5 2 0 10 Diamond R ., . 7 4 3 0 8 Karori 7 3 3 1 7 United Gold ... 7 2 4 1 5 Huit 7 Q 6 1 1 * * *