HOCKEY AFFAIRS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 188, 14 July 1925, Page 5

HOCKEY AFFAIRS

MEETING OF ASSOCIATION. The weekly meeting of tli executive of the Manawatu Hockey Association was licit! last night, Mr F. Cousins presiding. CORRESPONDENCE.

From the Wanganui Education Board suggesting that the association approach the headmasters of the various schools regarding the attendance of children at the Australia-Manawatu match.—Received, it being stated that the headmasters of West End and Central Schools had agreed to allow their pupils to attend the match. From the headmaster of Hokowhitu School, stating that only two boys wished to play hockey and also advising that the ground space was very limited. It was pointed out that the association had promised to send sticks to the school last year, but they did not arrive.—Received, the matter being left in the hands of the chairman of the schools competition, secretary, and chairman of the executive, with power to act. From the Ruahine Ladies’ Association advising that thg team to play the Manawatu representatives as a curtain-raiser to the Australian match, would travel by the train leaving Dannevirke about 11.50 a.m. In reference to the Nopera Cup, it was regretted that it was impossible to play on a Saturday owing, to the fact that three players could not play on that day.— Received.

From the parent body acknowledging receipt of the guarantee for the Australian match of £35. Received. From the Canterbury Association stating that August 15th was the most suitable date for the proposed match at Christchurch.—Held over until the selectors advise whether a team can be secured. \ GENERAL. A vote of thanks was accorded Mi J. R. Hardie (town clerk) for assistance rendered in connection with the prepartaion of the grounds for the Au stra 1 i an-Man aw at u match. It was decided to recommend to the N.Z. Hockey Referees’ Association that copies of the amended rules be sent to all associations.

All primary school matches for this week are postponed. It was resolved that a team be not entered for the Nordern Cup competition this season.

In reference to the difficulty experienced in getting the men’s team out to practice, the chairman said that something would have to be done before a team was sent away to Christchurch.- —Mr Aitchison mentioned the names of those players who refused to practice and said, that some of them would be dropped from the team to go to Christchurch. If the Australian match were not so close, they would very probably have been omitted from the team. Some of the players evidently thought themselves too good to require any further training. —Mr Cl iff e suggested trying “younger blood.” There were many young players who, with a little more coaching, would make good players. It was mentioned that Mr Hostick came from Feilding to coach the players in the morning and the attendance was very disappointing.—Mr Wilson expressed his willingness to train a team for the Canterbury match and it was decided to support the selectors in any action they may take in picking a team for the trip. It was resolved to forward letters of thanks to the Feilding and Wanganui Associations for hospitality shown teams visiting those centres recently.

A vote of thanks was accorded Messrs Hostick and Wilson for training and coaching the team to meet Australia.

FIXTURES. The following matches have been arranged for Saturday:Ladies.—High School Old Girls v. Ramblers A, No. 2 ground at 3 p.m., referee Mr Milne; West End Old Girls v. Rongotea, at Rongotea, 2.45 p.m., referee Mr Amos; Technical v. Ramblers B, No. 1 ground, 2 p.m., referee Mr Reeve; byes, Bunnythorpe and Technical Old Girls. A trial game between High School and Central will be played on Thursday at 3.30 p.m., referee Mr G’ousins. Referees for the school girls’ games on Friday are Messrs Wilson, Milne and Burgess. AUSTRALIA v. MANAWATU. SPARKLING CONTEST PROMISED TO-MORROW. The big event of the year in local hockey circles, and one on which the oyes of all New Zealand will be turned to-morrow, is the meeting of the Australian hockey representatives, who arrived in Wellington to-day by the Mceraki, with the elect of Manawatu. Australia last sent a team to the Dominion in 1922, when the honours rather favoured the home associations, but at the close of the tour the visitors were displaying splendid form, and in the final game the test match with the whole of New Zealand—they displayed brilliant hockey, and in the closing stages threatened to pull the match out of the fire. Of that band six will again -visit these shores, and Australian critics are of the opinion that the combination will be distinctly stronger than the previous one. If such proves to lie correct provincial teams throughout New Zealand will be faced with with some heavy tasks, but Manawatu has made every preparation, to meet the onslaught, and the selected eleven is considered to be one of the strongest fielded for many seasons past. The members have undergone, systematic training, and on the score of fitness should not be found wanting, while having the advantage of youth on their side, it will probably do much to counteract the greater experience of some of the visitors. The Showgrounds will be the deciding area, and in view of the importance of tlie event, the area has been specially rolled for the occasion ; thus if the weather proves at all favourable, a fast and bright display is assured. The transfer to this ground will, no doubt, be appreciated by the public, for the ample stand accommodation will enable them to view the match perfectly and in comfort. As curtain-raiser to the big contest, the ladies of tlie Ruahino and Manawatu Associations will oppose one another, and as these two teams have mot on several previous occasions with varying fortunes, the outcome should be* followed with interest. Altogether a most interesting programme will be presented, and will, without doubt, attract all enthusiasts from far and near. THE OPPOSING TEAMS. Manawatu. —Goal, Nicholls (1) ; fullbacks, Burgess (2) and Mayo (3) ; halves, Wilton (4), L. Simmcnd (5), Davey (6); forwards, C. Kvle (7), Anderson (8), F. Simmonds (91, Lundy (10), captain; and Lloyd (11). Emergencies: Forward, Hoar (12); back, Kendrick (13). The team will play in green and

white jerseys, and white pants. Players are requested to procure numbers from Mr Aitchison to-day, from whom also they must obtain their player passes. AUSTRALIA.

The visitors .from overseas will select their team from the following:—J. M. Abel, A. Seaman, A. Craig, W: A. Grant, V. M. Kendall, L. Nettleton, W. Nettleton, J. Clarke, J. Gray, J. Diggens, J. S. Mills, H. A. Riley, B. Tart, J. Miller, W. Fry. The Australians will arrive from Wellington by the Napier Mail to-morrow and will be accorded a civic reception at the local station by the Mayor (Mr F. J. Nathan). RUAHINE LADIES.

The following team will represent the Ruahine Association in the ladies’ curtain-raiser, which is timed to commence at 1.30 p.m.—Goal, Mrs Hall; full-backs, Misses E. Brabazon and J. French; halves, Miss W. Brown, Mrs Hoppy, Miss M. Morehu ; forwards, Misses E. Redfern, D. Foreman, C. Rasmussen, N. Foreman, T. McDowell.