HOCKEY NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 198, 20 July 1935, Page 4

HOCKEY NOTES

(By “Tactics.”) Flashes of tlio match between Massey College aial Phoenix on Wednesday can Ijo spoken of with enthusiasm ; some very pretty work was done by the College lorward line on oceai sum. As usual, Lawry set the pace for the others and he was ably backed ; up by Struthors. Together they worked many a movement that- gained i much ground, and the first goal, i which was scored by Lawry, was an i outstanding one. Another impressive i performer in the College forward line | was Cottier, who demonstrated that | he may develop into a iirst-class performer. The College halves displayed , ti tendency to wander, however, and the ball came through on a number of occasions. when, had they been in position, the attack might not have developed as it did. Taken on tile whole, the full-backs played quite a good game, several incidents being to their distinct credit when they handled a determined rush capably and turned attack into defence. Jn the Phoenix team T. Packer was outstanding in holding the forward line together. Without him the attack would liaVe been at sea. The Phoenix forwards all played a hard game, but their work as a forward line was somewhat ragged. Pone, m the backs, showed that iie is a very sure player, he pluvs a pleasingly clean type of game. J. Sutton saved his side on many occasions when the College forwards came at the rearguard with a sweeping rush, but he rather nullified good work by making return shots that could have been directed to his own players with more advantage. Several times they were picked up by the College men in a manner that proved disconcerting. The game appeared from the sidelino to he between teams which rePod on the one side on short passing arid hard but more speculative I play on the other. The Phoenix players were hitting harder and relying more on chance as to their men being able to make full use of the pass as it reached them. Certainly they had hard luck on a number of occasions, but that must he taken as it comes, from whatever quarter the setback may appear. It was pleasing to see, from the

1 standpoint of hockey in general, that] two Wanganui umpires were seeking higher honours —the A grade badge. Hockey is strong in that centre now, although there is this to l>e said, that Wanganui is more fortunate in the centralisation of grounds than _ is Palmerston North. There were eight senior teams in the men’s section and that number was divided into two for the final part of the competition. '1 lie women’s section is also strong, having eight teams in the senior competion and seven in the junior. Put again Wanganui has an advantage in that hockey has gained a good foothold in the outlying districts, and from Kawhaiki (on the ’Wanganui River), Kauangaroa (beyond Fordell) and Katana there have been entered women’s teams which have done much, to add interest to the competitions, j Two of the teams, at least, have to travel a good deal over 12 miles to take part in the Saturday games. Several of tlie* Broadway A players, while showing distinct promise and playing well, have demonstrated that with a little attention to various points they could easily improve their game to an appreciable extent. R. Jones distinguished himself with a. beautiful reversed stick goal on Wednesday. He could well go further up the line before passing the ball, and should watch carefully when to centre and be sure that he will give the hall to a member of his own side. Another matter that would assist his game is more attention to the play that is likely to develop. Anticipation is valuable in hockey and also makes the matches less strenuous for tire player who is in position when the ball comes. Both full-backs. Sutton and Blair, carry a good defensive stick and they combine well, hut thev are inclined to take chances which should not he given in that part of the field. On Wednesday Facer intercepted a pass between the two and whipped the ball into the net for P..D.C. lie should not have been presented with such an opportunity. Opposing Broadway A, C. Ward . and Pacer put in much good work in the forwards, with Byers and K. Drinkwater the most impressive backs. The Broadway, team showed far better] combination, in the first half of the ilia tell especially, but when they slackened up in the second half P.D.C. slipped through twice.