HOCKEY NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 238, 5 September 1928, Page 10

HOCKEY NOTES

(By “Half-back.”)

Manawatu ladies are having a full programme this season, having played Otaki (twice), ltuahino (twice), Feilding (,once), Taranaki (to-day), and the B representatives hr.ve played an additional game against Otaki. Of these matches, only one lias been lost (excluding to-day’s game against Taranaki, the result of which is not known at the time of going to press). Rualiine, playing the return match on their own ground, proved too good for Manawatu, and avenged a former defeat of three goals to one, by a victory of four goals to two. The scores in all ladies’ representative matches to date, Manawatu being mentioned first, are as follow: — V. Otaki, I—nil;1 —nil; v. Otaki (return match), 3 —l; v. Ruahine, 3 —l: v. ltuahine (return match), 2—4; v. Otaki (B representatives;, 2—nil; v. Feilding, 3—l. This forms a very creditable record, ono of which any association might he proud, and a review of the figures only serves to convince one that it is a great pity Manawatu was unable to get to tho tournament. “Left Wing,” writing in the Napier Telegraph of a recent Hawke’s Bay game, says: “In the senior match one of the referees allowed himself to be robbed of confidence by the caustic criticisms from the side line. Any

refcreo is liable to be caught in awarding a decision, but it is certainly poor sporting etiquette on the part of interested spectators to try and criticise the referee’s efforts in carying out his duties.” It is quite true that it is bad sportsmanship to harry the referee. Fortunately, hockey is very free from this fault, at least locally. It is more than likely that this is due in a large measure to a high standard of refereeing, and the Referees’ Association should have the thanks of all players for services so freely given. Tho progress of the New Zealand tournament will bo closely watched by local players. So far Southland, Wellington and Canterbury A are all | in good positions, but of course ' hockey is a game of surprises, and some little-consrdercd team may come ! to light with a surprise victory and put one of the strongest elevens out of the running. It appears as if tho 1 destination of the K Cup is open, and either the North or Sautli may have possession of tho coveted trophy for the coming year. The defeat of Rualiine yesterday by Canterbury A will . probably stop Ruahine from winning. I ■These teams, playing in the same section, were unbeaten, and the southerners’ victory should enable them to win their section, though if they should be defeated by some other team, then i Canterbury and Ruahine will again have to meet, in a replay match to decide the head of the section.