Hockey

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7853, 15 July 1911, Page 14

Hockey

(By “Hoquet.") | The deciding match of the senior j championship between the Karori and ‘ Victoria College teams this afternoon promises to be a great game. Both teams have been looting forward to the contest with keen interest, and it should result in a better exhibition than was the case last year in the play-off between | the same two teams. College on that occasion winning with ease. Bo far this season neither team has suffered a loss, but Karori got a lead of one point because they only drew on one occasion, while College have had two draws—one against Wellington and the other against Karori. . .

Im .connection with the coming game with Hawke's Bay “Hoquet” would aga-n Hire to draw the attention of tno sereotor to tho need ol a practice game ior the representative team betoro the game comes off. Last year a practice game was played, in most instances, the week before a shield game, but this year the matter does not seem to have been considered- The match against Canterbury proved conclusively that such a game was essential.

In choosing the local representative team that is to meet Hawke’s Bay for tno £>h,e,d next week some disagreement with Air VV alum’s selection has been voiced by a large number of players, it appears that the main cause ol the criticism leveued against the selector is the omission of G, Davies from tho team altogether. To refer but briefly to tlio position of affairs, it will be remembered that when Davies was unable to play in a representative game last year, owing to an injured knee. Con. Strack was substituted for him, and in the position of left inside Con. Strack has, with the assistance of his brother, been of material assistance in the success of the team. When Davies was able to play again Mr Walton, not wishing to take C. Strack out of the position of left inside included Davies in the representative team as right inside, a position which he has filled remarkably well. Lately, however, an argument has Arison as to whether Davies or C. Strack is the most fitted person for the position of left-inside, and in the opinion of a majority of players Davies is undoubtedly the better man. But this opinion is not held by the selector, judging by his action last week in giving preference to Con. Strack. Many suggestions have been put forward as to a suitable way of making a test to see which is the best man for the left-inside position, but the most sensible way would have been to have held a trial game with Davies in bis club position and Con. Strack as right-inside alongside of his brother. As the team is at present constituted, with Salek on the right wing, Buxbidge at right half, and George Strack at centre forward, nothing should have been wanting to enable Con. Strack to combine with the others. _ A very good demonstration of how Davies and Loader would play alongside of each other was afforded at Blenheim, when both of them played a really good combined gome.

The reason why Balek and Burbidge were ieit in the representative team alter their disappointing displays is also being discussed. In the case of Salek, both in the Manawatu and Canterbury games he was not so prominent as he snouid have been. Comparing Aicken's display in the Manawatu game with Burbidge’s in the Canterbury match, one is at a loss to understand why Aicken should be dropped alter his first trial in a representative game, and Burbidge, who played much poorer hookey in the last ijhieid game, be given another chance.

Although Morpetn’s display as goalkeeper in the Canterbury match was not of an exceptionally prominent nature, still it was such as to justify his inclusion in the next representative game. This, however, has not been done, as Dwyer, the brilliant custodian of two seasons back, has displaced Morpeth. Why this .change it is difficult to understand, as Dwyer has not shown anytning like good term so far this season.

A very useful little booklet has reached “Hoquet” from Mr W. G. Morpeth, of the Wellington Hockey Club, and the club are to be commended lor having taken the initiative In making an effort to raise the standard ol hocKey among its members. The little book sets out the rules of the Wellington Hockey Club, and then the rises ot the game are given in detail, with little points about how the different rules are broken. The last but most important part of the book is where it sets out the qualifications necessary for every position in the team, and how each player should carry out his part in a game.

Referees for To-day. Senior. —Karoid No. 5, Hr K. C. Morpeth; Bay No. 1, Mr G. Carver; Bay No. 3, Mr M. Buckie. Junior. —Bay No. 2, Mr B. Manning; Bay No. 5, Mr C. McKenzie; Miramar No. 3, Mr A. W. Griudrod; Duppastreet, Mr C. J. Collie; Hutt, Mr B. Kean. Third Class. —Miramar No. 2, Mr C. H. Cockrell; Basin Reserve, Mr Forrestt; Bay No. 4 (to be arranged).

A MOTORING TERM

An irrigation project jest put in hand in Nevada, U.S.A., is expected to result in the reclamation of 50,000 acres of laud that requires only the application of water to make it very productive. A large number of applications for homesteads has already been received.