HOCKEY SEASON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23058, 8 June 1938, Page 21

HOCKEY SEASON

THE DEVONPOET SHIELD FIRST SERIES OF MATCHES LACK OF INTEREST SHOWN -I ho spirit in which the first scries of flames in the Devon port Shield competition was played on Saturday gives a good indication of how little moment is attached to it by the teams and players in general. Even the Auckland Association recognised this by playing Devonport Shield games when the best players' were absent, but the opportunity that Saturday might have been expected to provide for junior players was spoilt owing to the fact ihat*tho juniors concerned had all played In earlier games. _ v The surprise of the afternoon was the defeat of St. Luke's, which, in spite of the absence of severcl players, looked to have a sound team. Mount Eden, however, showed an improvement in attack, Rowe proving, very capablo in his new position at centre-forward and instilling new spirit into the attack. ith this long-awaited success, Mount Eden can be expected to play more confidently in future,..,.. ; ' PROMISING JUNIORS OUTSTANDING PLAYERS The form shown by many of the younger players taking part in Saturday Vgames, tired as most of them were before starting, ia a good indication of the solid reserve that'is being built up. Sell proved very capable in taking Vipond's place in the St. Luke's forwards and played well after having given a fine performance in tho cur-tain-raiser on. tho main, ground. Another young forward whose shooting powers are excellent is Dare, who substituted for Houghton while tho New Zealand representative was in Australia. Although he lias vet to learn in general play, his forcefulness ia the circlo makes him a valuable forward."

Crichtou also showed speed and crisp hitting on tho right wing for the samo team. Few players rise to early heights as halves, but Speight, of University, is a young player who gave a sound display in this division in the gamo against United. Although showing out in few flashes of brilliance, ho is nevertheless a hard worker and possesses a cool head. INDIAN TEAM STRONG COMBINATION The Indian touring team, which will shortly bo seen in New Zealand, is at present playing games in Australia and impressing all with its skill and brilliance. It is not an All-India, team, as was the 1935 touring side," but tho Manavadar State Hockey Eleven is considered to be one of the strongest combinations in India. Following are sketches of prominent members or the touring side:— The Nawab of Manavadar (captain, centre-forward and left inside) is a member of a well-known Pathan family. He was born on December 22. 1912, arid was educated at Princes College, Rajkot. ;An all-round sportsman, ho took "up hockey seriously in 1930 and represented India in the \\estern Asiatic Games four years later. .-He was' selected captain of the • 1930 A lit India team for the New Zealand .tmir, but could not niako tli'e "trip/ Besides being • outstanding at hockey, the Prince is a fine cricketer. S. M. Hussain (vice-captain, left fullback) is perhaps the only Indian sportsman who has represented his country at two major winter sports. He was picked to tour South Africa with the Indian football team in tho 1934-3o season, and in the same season represented his country at hockey against Afghanistan. In 1935 he toured New Zealand with the All-India hockey team and was also a member of tho Olympic side at Berlin. . Shahabuddin (right wing) was a prominent member of the last Indian side and has been an international plaver since 1934. He has been recognised as one of the finest right wings in the world for several years and should again be one of tho outstanding plavers duriiur the forthcoming tour. Shahnoor Khan (centre' half) was born in 1914, and besides being a magnificent hockev player is well known in football and cricket circles in India. Ho has been a serious contender for international honours for many vears and cmnes with a great reputation. P. P. Fernandez (l*ft wing) has won fame in'and outside India for his agilitA and masterful stick work. He came into prominence only about five years ago, but has shown such vast improvement that he was selected to represent India at the Olympic Games last year. Fernandez is another of those who have previously toured New Zealand. M. Ahmad Khan (right inside). M. Sultan Khan (left inside), - S. M. Sulaiman (left wing) and Abdul Latif are all Rest of India players of outstanding merit. The remaining members of the side are as follows: —Fasahat Yar Khan (right fullback), A. Qavi (left halt), M. Y. Qurrashi (right half), Shafat Khan (all-rounder). Lajpat Rai (left half and centre half), Gurnarain Singh (right fidlback), Ben Abrahams (goalkeeper), and Feroz Khan (centre forward).