HOCKEY NOTES

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7192, 26 June 1933, Page 9

HOCKEY NOTES

(By "Rep.") Wednesday saw the start of tho Championship matches with tho teams divided into two sections. This will be better for teams and players, as there will be tw 7 o even competitions with tho various teams about even strength.

The big match of tho day turned out to bo Phoenix v. Combined Services, and Combined services repeated tlioii performance of the previous meeting with Phoenix by defeating them after a stirring match. Tho C. 0.8. team met the P.D.C. once again and enthusiasts w r ero disappointed that this .gamo was not as oven as they anticipated. The C.IW3. men showed that they wero mast*s of the situation and scored tho large total of nine goals. P.D.C. scored tlirco goals, so altogether it was a big scoring match.

Broadway A defeated Palmerston North A by 2—o after quito an even battle. Palmerston North A woro unfortunate that they wero not credited with one goal. The referee was a trifle too quick with his whistle, and failed to uso the advantage rule. It is a hard rule for tho referee to put into force, and only thno and experience will teach referees when and how to use it. Palmerston North B held up Massey College A, who just scraped home by five goals to four. Massey College did not play up to expectations, Massoy College B won their match with Palmerston North B by 3—nil, but it was an even match with Palmerston North unable to score when they got into tho circle.

In some of my previous notes I advised tho P.D.C. to watch their fullbacks, and to heed what I had written about fullback play. On Wednesday they committed the same fault as in previous matches, of tho fullbacks not co-operating and covering each other. Added to this the halves have not taken any notice of my notes to tackle back. The result was that, they left each other unprotected, and tho fast combination of the C. 0.8. caught them with an open field. Hoarc mado full uso of it, and ably backed up by Nesbit went clean through the defence.

Last year I selected R. Hoare as tho brainest forward 'that we had in the Manawatu, and recent events prove it quite well. Ho i ; s training tho C. 0.8. to play fast combined hockey with short passes, a type of hockey that is pleasing to watch, and a match winner. This player is a great asset to tho hockey generally, as he also coaches a rival team, the Combined Services, who are proving apt pupils. Hoare also assists the referees by taking t’he whistle when called upon.

Combined Services are on the right track. They adapt themselves to either the long-ps-ssing or tho short-passing game. Their hitting is developing into the sharp, snappy kind, although at present their fullbacks are apt to try and hit wildly on occasions. Players should remember that a sharp, wellplaced hit is far more effective than a wild hit that covers a lot of ground but goes anywhere. This team is fortunate that, a 3 well as having Hoare to coach them, they have a fine leader on the field in Montcith. Players could learn a very important lesson from, this player. It is very noticeable that this player when ho passes the ball out to the wing, docs not wasto any time, but -goes straight for the circle, and is always in position when the ball comes in. Phoenix lost an almost certain goal through not doing this. Turner sent in a beautiful pass right, across the goalmouth, but Bills and Lundy were missing. The fault of not learning to hold tho stick properly was cleanly shown on Wednesday when Turner had a probable goal. Playing with tlio left hand crossed over the right hand makes a player very apt to obstruct, as well as having to get into awkward positions to hit tho ball where he wants it to go. After a break-away Turner tried to turn into position to either shoot at goal or to centre, but owing to his bad holding of the stick he had to twist his body, but his momentum would not lot him do it, with the Tesult that he fell over and the ball went begging. This player also had a hack-hand shot at goal in tho first spell, which just missed. If it had come off, it would have been a brilliant one.

The advantage of going at top right from the whistle wu3 amply demonstrated in two matches. At the commencement of their game, Broadway A went straight out, and beforo Palmerston A had time to look round, their opponents had the ball in tho net. In the Phoenix match at the 'beginning of the

second spell the C.S. team took tho ball, and a brilliant run by Montcith took the ball into the circle. He passed the ball for another forward to shoot, which shot was stopped, but Tilson got the ball on tho rebound, and netted it. It was a truly bright piece of play and Phoenix were caught napping. Broadway A sprang a surprise by having N. Hanson turn out for them. He played a subdued but very useful game, and, as expected, he was a tower of strength to his team. All enthusiasts we-ro delighted to sec their old friend out once again.

Players have a habit of getting out beforo the hit is taken at the corners. In other words they try to beat the hit. It is all right when it comes off, but on Wednesday there was considerable waste of time through it in three matches. In each of these matches the referee pulled the players back time and again. On one occasion X noticed Referee Byers pull up Palmerston North B six times running. When this happens players are apt to becomo fretful and disgruntled with the referco, quite forgetting that they are to blame because they are trying to work a point and get an advantage. Blame yourselves, players, not the Teferee. Nesbit had a day out for C. 0.8.. The way this player fitted in with Hoaro was just like machinery. The two of thorn had Ward, in goal for P.D.C., looking very weak, Ouo would draw the player, and the other would pop the ball in. They did the samo with the fullbacks. One player drew one fullback, and let the other one go through an open field. If P.D.C. backs had backed each other up they would have smothered this.

Last week I learnt something of which I had a suspicion. Prom watching the O.s. team playing I deduced that they planned out their movements during the week and then put them into operation during their matches the next Wednesday. I have now learnt that thSy use a chess-board, and work out tactics with chessmen, and then practice them. No wonder they have Shown such a marked improvement. l lf all teams adopted this practice we would soon have hockey second to none in New Zealand.

I have received no communications this week. Address all letters to “Rep,” c/o Box 158, Post Office, Palmerston North,