HOCKEY NOTES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 173, 23 June 1926, Page 7

HOCKEY NOTES.

INDIAN ARMY TEAM* (By “Half-back.”) Tlie results of the matches played by the Indians and the rest of the itinerary' are as follow: V. Waipa, won 11—0 V. Waikato, won 7 —o V. South Auckland, won B—o V. Taranaki, won 7—2 V. Hawke's Bay, won 13—2 V. Dannevirke, won 20 —0 V. Wanganui, won 12—1 V. Wellington, won B—3 V. Nelson, won 9 —o V. Westport, won 9—l V. Canterbury, won 2 —l V. Geraldine, won 15 —0 V. Otago, won 11 —0 Total 132—10 June 26. —First test at Christchurch. June 30. —Play Manawatu at Palmerston North. July 3.—Play Auckland at Auckland. July 8. —Play North Auckland at Whangarei. July 10. —Second test at Auckland. July 14.—Play Franklin at Waiuku. NOTES ON PLAYERS. Following are some brief notes on local and district lady players: E. Worsfold as centre forward is solid and reliable but not quite fast enough to bo there at the death. R. B. Snell (Nireaha). Played a sterling game for Bush Union against Manawatu and should bo given a trial for a position in representative colours. M. Ranson (Bunnytliorpe) is pro 7 mising and should prove her worth as a last line of defence in the Manawatu reps. W. Mardon (Longburn) is improving, but is lacking in tho circle. She has plenty ot pace and can carry the leather at her feet. M. Tanner is progressing very well and should bo wearing the green and white colours shortly. VARIOUS NOTES. In view of the Nopera Cup match with Feiiding, local players should concentrate on training. It is quite possible that Ruahine may turn tho tables in the coming match which is to be played as a curtain-raiser to tho Indian Army match on June 30th. The Manawatu ladies have played and won four representative matches so far this season, but more attention should be paid to practice. On one occasion the trainer was greeted by four ladies and the next day only one attended. It is hardlv fair to expect a place in tho representatives without training. Hockey has a history of some 30 years in the Indian Army. There is no Indian game corresponding to it, but soldiers from every part of India take to it with a strong, natural aptitude. They show a good turn of speed, and have an excellent eye for the pace of a ball. Under the tuition of ex-in-ternationals who go out from England and Scotland as officers in the Indian Army, the Indians are coached on scientific lines, and their play in consequence reaches a high standard. Mr H. Rogers, Poverty Bay delegate on the New Zealand Hockey Association, has received instructions from the Poverty Bay Association to apply for a match at Gisborne between Poverty Bay and the Indian Army team should time permit. When negotiations for a match with Poverty Bay wero discussed with the rest of the itinerary, they fell through on account of the northern association declining to enter into the pooling system. The association’s final offer was to pay £SO for the match outright, a proposition which was rejected by the Now Zealand Association, and the match was offered to Taranaki, which x immediately accepted. Poverty Bay now offers the whole of the gate receipts, and will pay for all arrangements for tho match and entertaining if the New Zealand Association will pay travelling expenses. Tho request states that tho application for a match at this stage is based upon a wish expressed by Captain Cowan for a gam©. Tho matter will bo discussed by tho New Zealand Association in a few days. It has been suggested that a third test match with the Indians be played in Wellington. Although the suggestion does not appeal to Captain Cowan, there is a possibility that it will be carried into effect. In view of the result of the match against Canterbury, it is possible that tho visitors will not have runaway wins in the tests. Should the test matches prove inconclusive, a third would appear advisable.

“You fellows are dangerous, and a man has to be careful as to what he says to you, for things that. I have never said have been put into my mouth,” remarked Captain D. C. Cowan, officer in charge of the Indians, to a southern pressman last week. “It has been reported that I declared up north that wo could produce a world-beating Indian Army team,” he said. “I did not say that at all. I never made any such statement. What I did say was that we could produce an all-India hockey team that would beat the world. There’s a difference. Probably not one of the men in our present team would be in an all-India team.” The hockey stick offered by Mr W. Hatch to the best all-round member of Wellington’s team which played the Indians on 3rd June, was presented on Saturday night to It. Hull, who was one of the full-backs in the match. The choice was particularly appropriate and popular since Hull was the youngest player in the team, and, despite the criticism which his selection occasioned, playing a sterling game throughout. Players have been somewhat unfortunate this season as regards postponement of the competition matches. Unsatisfactory weather, tourneys and outside matches have had the effect of upsetting the schedulo considerably. It is to be

hoped that tho competitions will bo continued with as few breaks as possible. Players are likely to lose interest if kept standing on the line on too many occasions. MEETING OF ASSOCIATION. The weekly meeting of tho Manawatu Hockey Association was held last night, Mr Campbell Aitchison presiding. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Rongotea Club stating that Mr V. Kyle had been appointed tho club’s delegate.—Received. From tho Ruahine Association acknowledging a challenge for the Nopera Cup and stating that Feiiding had been advised of the position and no doubt tho Feiiding Association would advise Manawatu as to the date most suitable. —Received. From a Feiiding men’s club asking for a friendly match with one of the local teams.—Received, the matter being left in tho hands of the Rongotea delegato. SELECTION OF NEW ZEALAND TEAM. In discussing a letter from the New Zealand Association, in which it was stated that a representative had been present at every match played by the Indians and that every association would be given a fair deal by tho selectors when the New Zealand teams wero finalised, Mr Cliffo said he was not satisfied with the reply. “The method of selection has never been satisfactory and it never will be while tho headquarters of the association are in Christchurch,” ho said. “As far as I can see there is only one man running hockey in Christchurch at present and that is Mr Downs. Wellington made an effort to have tho headquarters shifted, and it is quite evident that tho time has come when tho smaller associations should take a firm stand,” he added. Another matter mentioned was the fact that, after arranging for the various associations to pool the takings, tho parent body had sold the gate of the Wellington match to that association. Air Cousins expressed the opinion that the action of the New Zeajnnd Association was unfair, to say the least. Mr Cliffe: It was the same with the Australian tour, Wellington made a loss and then obtained a refund. It looks like an attempt to smooth down Wellington. Eltlxam were not satisfied and had retained their gate money, and lie thought that Manawatu should do the samo. Air Cressy then moved that the New Zealand Association be written to expressing disapproval of the reply to the explanation sought, regarding tho selection of the Now Zealand team, and that Alanawatu take the same attitude as Elthnm in regard to the pooling of the funds. This was carried. SELECTORS CRITICISED. A member of the selection committee, in tendering his resignation as one of the team chosen to meet the Indians, explained that, as soon as he knew it was not the unanimous wish of the players that he should play, he hud decided to withdraw. While not wishing to flatter himself, he said that it was realised that the game here wjould be purely defensive and the selectors had decided that ho was the most suitable man.

Air Amos, one of the selectors, said that it had taken them 35 minutes to choose the goalkeeper and it was thought impossible to leave tho gentleman in question out of the team. He had not favoured his appointment on principle, but it was found impossible to get a better man. Tho chairman said that, at the present time, not one player was eligible for inclusion in the team as no fees had been paid. Air Cliffe said that he had recently seen tho player in action and ho was satisfied that ho was well worthy of a place in the team. Air. Cressy thought that the action of the players amounted to a vote of no-eonfidenco in the selectors. “What,” lie asked “was the use of having selectors at all?”

Air Anderson said he objected to the appointment on principle. He could not see why a man who had not played for some time should be included, when possibly there were other players suitable.

The chairman pointed out that the position was that the selectors—the player himself being excepted—had decided that he was the best goalie in the Manawatu. Tlie team had been picked to play a defensive game, and the selectors had stated l that, if the player in question had been omitted, certain other alterations in the team would have been necessary. It was then moved and carried that tho resignation be not. accepted. On the player returning to the room, he stated that he would not withdraw his resignation for the reason that, when he had been chosen, he had stipulated that he would not play unless the players were of the unanimous opinion that he should do so. He had been asked to take tho field and had understood that the players wished him to do so. It was finally decided to leave the matter to the selection committee to deal with, and make any alteration in the team necessary. GENERAL. A grant of £lO was. made to the advertising committee in connection with the indian Army match.