HOCKEY SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20623, 23 July 1930, Page 20

HOCKEY SEASON.

COUNTRY WEEK TOURNAMENT WAIPA TEAM'S GREAT RECORD. TWO OUTSTANDING SIDES. Tho chief event in Auckland hockey circles lust week was tho Country Meek tournament, in which six toams took part, playing for the White llorse and tho Captain White Cups. Country Week was first started by the Auckland Association in 1912 to stimulato interest in country centres and it continues to fulfil its original purpose admirably. Last year eight teams took part, but in this year's competition Whakatauo and Thames-Hau-raki were missing. "Ihe latter team had been entered, but at the last minute it was found impossible to send it away. Tho fact that this year tho competition was held as late in tho season as tho rules governing it permit, probably made it more difficult to get teams away from dairying districts than in previous years. The lateness in the season was responsible also for the absenco of several players usually taking part in the competition. Weather conditions were unsettled and showery- 011 Tuesday and Wednesday, but it was not found necessary to interrupt games. r lhe grounds, however, lemained fairly heavy throughout tho tournament and toward the end were made rather rough. Waipa, and Rodney, the contestants for the final, were undoubtedly the outstanding teams. The other teams contained many good players, who provided a proof of tho impossibility of solo play carrying a team to success.

Success Maintained. Waipa, which defeated Rodney by four goals to ono in tho final for tho cup, has continued its remarkable record of success in this competition. It gained the White Horse Cup for the first time in 1924 and from then until 1927 it held it continuously. In 1928 the trophy was won by Rodney and Franklin conjointly, but Waipa regained it in 1929, and will now hold it for 1930. Belonging to the Waikato Association, it was the only team in tho tourney from outside tho Auckland Association.

This year, as last, it depended for its success very largely on tho skill and experience of the Spiers and Finch brothers, stalwarts who have been part and parcel of the Waipa team during so many seasons. Particular mention must also be made of G. Jack, the goalkeeper, who gave a remarkable exhibition. His skill was equalled only by his keenness and indeed his skill was to a largo extent bis keenness itself. I). Spiers consistently opened up attack after attack. .1 he strength of his tactics lay in bis quick wit and speed, which enabled liirn to do the unexpected thing. L. Spiers, as left fullback, let very little past bini. T. Finch and I. Finch, on the half-line wings, co-ordinated the defence line anil tho forwards excellently. Circle Tactics Fail.

Rodney deserved to get a much higher relative score than its one goal to four, but it failed iu its circle tactics. Some credit must be given to the Waipa defence for the failure. .As in its opponent s team, two brothers, T. and <J. (.trimmer, were u strung part, of the side. 1 hey played in the inner forward positions. J. Smith, the left fullback, was another outstanding player for Rodney. Kodnev and Whangarei have yet to play off'for the Captain While Cup it "is probable that the annual match between the two teams at W hangarei will be taken as the decisive game for the cup. ... , The general opinion of referees is thai the standard of play this year was not quite up to that of previous years. One feature that was deprecated was the tendency to indulge in hard-hitting. According to a former representative player, hard, indiscriminate hitting, especially straight down the field, transfers the advantage of attack to the. other side, besides being grossly unfair to the forwards, who are expected to gather it up at full speed. When passing to the right, which is the most effective pass possible, since, it is the hardest for the opposing side to intercept, and the easiest for tbo forwards to control, the, direction should be slightly ahead of the forward, so that he can take it at full speed. 'I he pass to the left should bo flatter. Examination of Referees.

Theoretical tests for a referee's certificate were undergone during the week by Messrs. 11. Ifatmam and E. A. Stainton. of Whangarei, and Mr. P. Doolan, of I'aeroa, under the supervision of Mr. 11. Watts. Mr. Doolan took in addition a practical test. Ihe results of the examination have not. yet been onnounced. On the Friday evening before the visitors left a highly successful smoke concert, was tendered to them by the Auckland Association and the White Horse ('ui) was presented to Waipa. No hockey matches will be played on Saturdav, in view ot the Rugby football test between Britain and New Zealand.