HOCKEY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 163, 26 June 1935, Page 12

HOCKEY

TO-MORROW’S MATCH Try-Out for Nordon Cup COMMENT ON PLAYERS (By “Off-side.”) The Kaiapoi Cup match which will be played at Cornwall Park to-morrow between teams representing the Hastings and Napier Sub-Associations, should serve to disclose any weaknesses in the eleven Which will be called upon a week later to defend the Norden Cup against Walrarapa. The Napier team which has been selected by Mr T. Atkinson will be quite capable of lifting the Kaiapvi Cup, as they are mostly old hands at the game, and providing the ground is not too heavy, an even game should result. Weakness of Referees, The competition game last Thursday between United White and Pirates became very heated on several occasions, and it was Surprising that there was not more ip juries Dlumont for Whites, und Cameron and VVUcoek tor Pirates, are players who have a tendency to lift the ball in tfie faces of tiie oncoming f.orwaitisi. There is only one remedy ior tins offence, and that is m the Hands of tue referees, who should on ail occasions penalise the offenders by giving a free hit against them for dangerous play, and it that does not stop it, then tuere are more drastio remedies which must be resorted to.

Another bad habit which is allowed to go on unchecked is the amount of talking indulged in by players during a game. 1 can only attribute tins to weakness on tho part of the relerees for allowing it, and if the game is to gain favour, it is about time that the referees displayed a little more strict, nesg by letting the players see that the relerees are there to interpret tho rules and control the game. There appears to be a dearth of strict referees this season whereas for the past few seasons blastings was noted for the number of capable referees it possessed. It is a pity that more old players do not lend a hand by taking up the whistle when they have ceased to become active players. Not** On th* Player*. Young Bob Tutaki put in some good work for Pirates, who were playing one short in the forwards. Siunh played a much improved game on the right wing arid required watching. I‘irates would improve their game if they would do lees solo work and more snappy passing. Kric Stitt played a sound game against Whites. He gave Mahoney and Co. many anxious moments. McNab i s becoming rather stereotyped in his play. He should endeavour to vary his play by producing different tactics and more tricks. Karori numbered somo new players in their ranks last week, and when they have a lew games together more will be heard of them. Jim Atley was tried on the right wing and he appeared to relish the change. Arena is the makings of a good forward. Wallace was playing his first game for some time, and showed that he is made of the right stuff. Lewis gave a good account of himself when he changed places with Kelly in the second spell. A pair of motor gloves was picked up on. the grounds last week. The Karori skipper will be pleased to return them to the owner. United Gold are an improving team. Their combination and style of play are a treat to watch. They never waste their breath on talking. Kirkman, Dunn, and McKee are a light, fait trio who work well together.

The Test Matches. The New Zealand team for the second test match does not include any Hawke’s Bay men. The selectors are evidently satisfied with the performances of the majority of the players who played in the first test at Christchurch last Saturday, when India won by four goals to two after being two goals down at half-time. “Offside” inclines to the opinion that on a fast ground in Wellington the Indians will win by a bigger margin in the second test. India played much tho better hockey and won a great game on the merits of. its players, says .a writer in the “Sun” on last Saturday’s Test. The New Zealanders flattered their supporijers by leading 2 —p at half-time, but the ground was in such a bad condition that it took the visitors a long time to adapt their style of play to such ft surface, which was almost impossible from a hockey point of view. Credit, however, must be given to the New Zealand side for the vim. dash and determination which characterised every movement of their play. In the second half, when the superior combination, positional play and fine stickwork of the Indians enabled them to catch and then pass New Zealand’s total, the home players never at any stage let up and they made India go all out right to the final whistle. Outstanding for India were Dhyan Chand and Hup Singh in the forwards and N. M. Masud at centre-half. Had the ground been in better order, those three would have placed India’s margin of goals higher. India’s backs, Hussein and Rashid Ahmed, were a big improvement on the pair of backs that defended for India against Canterbury. Outstanding for New Zealand was Tom Turbitt, at inside left. His brilliant stick-work compared favourably with any of tho Indians, but his habit of turning on the ball caused him to give away many penalties lor oust'action. The baby of tho team, W. Bowden, tho Lyttelton boy, thoroughly deserved his promotion to AH Black honours, and was the best of the New Zealand half-back line, though ,E. McLeod, the captain and centre-half, also played well. The New Zealand hacks, T. A. Ewan and C. Rogers, both put up a great defenc* against the most skilful attack in the world. There were many thrills in the game and the crowd enjoyed it immensely. On the day’s play, the final result, 4—2, in favour of India, was a fair indication of tho respective merits of di* two ’e*m».