Hockey

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7865, 29 July 1911, Page 14

Hockey

(By “Hoquet.”) In deciding to play a trial representative match in placo of tho senior fixtures this afternoon tho Wellington hockey authorities have made a wise move. After the local team's disappointing displays, both in the Canterbury and Hawke's Bay games, it is essential that such a game should be played, and considering that Auckland is next on the list in quest of tho shield Wellington's strongest eleven will have to be selected to defend it. For some weeks past Auckland have had their probable team in training, and one can be certain that every effort will bo made to regain the shield. Tho teams as selected for this afternoon’s trial game appear to bo very even, and the contest should result in a good exhibition. In order to get players used to the two-referee .system 1 it will bo tried again iu this afternoon’s game.

Wellington in the game with Hawke’s Bay last week were, on their display, lucky to come out as they did. In no previous shield game have tho Wellington team played so badly, and the reason of it is bard to discover. With a fairly dry ground (certainly it was a little unreliable) in their favour one would have expected better faro from such a strong body of forwards and backs. In the first half of the game Wellington performed very badly, bufcj the second half saw them shaping ai little better. During the earlier part of the game tho forwards missed several chances to score, ■ and the way the Hawke's Bay forwards got all over the yellows’ batks was, like knocking down skittles. But for the fact that the local men recovered themselves more goals would undoubtedly have been registered against them.

The all-round display given by tho Hawke’s Bay team was an eye-opener to Wellingtonians. Nobody anticipated their play being of such a high standard,, land although it perhaps did 'not come* lip to last year’s game many were wondering whether the shield would go back With them. In comparing tho Wellington team’s play with that of tho visitors* the local men were overshadowed. Hawke’s Bay were a very even lot, each knowing his position thoroughly. All were sound hitters, clean and clear-, headed players, and each knew the moment when to individualise or combine. Tho visiting forwards .were an evenlybalanced dot and at times they moved* down the field in a combined manner,! but in the circle did not seem to hold' together so well. '

The two most prominent front-rankers wore Hallett and Atkinson on the ex-; tiemes, and their taking tho ball through and centring left little to bo desired. Fraser, Matthews, and Shattky although good, did not stand out prominently. Shattky, the centre forward,) was the only blot on the visitors’ sided and was inclined at times to indulge iu ■unsportsmanlike tactics. The visitors’ half-back line was an even trip, and, (were perhaps a trifle better than the |lccal halves. The two full-backs, An-| Iderson and Bottrcll, did some good and they were always reliable. Tomoana was apt to come out of -his goal too. for and ne also appeared to be rather) 'excited. The shots that got past him,, however, were rather difficult ones to stop. v

Of the local forward lino Loader was the outstanding feature. Last week he had plenty of opportunities to make a showing, and especially in tho second Eialf ho got in some brilliant work., !Con Struck, except when scoring a good goal, did not appear to be so good as on former occasions, and with his bro-| jther did not manage to combine so well. George Struck, on one or two oe-f fcasions, appeared to advantage with soma pretty pieces of stick .work, hut he too appeared to be having on' “off” day., [Murphy, the latest' representative forward, on the flay’-; play was as good as his confreres, but he did not make the [most of his opportunities. Once or twico he was instrumental in "starting a §.al forward rush, but faded away len the circle was reached. Not Toeing ed to tho players alongside of him) also lost Murphy chances. Salek on the) wing played a better game, and his centres are beginning to get more weight jnow. As halves, both Thompson and (Campbell played a very solid game in (attack and defence, and were tho mainjstay of tho local back division. Bur■jbidge gave an improved display, but it was clearly demonstrated that he is still la bit too light for the position of right naif. Hickson, who has previously played such, sterling hockey, last week was disappointing, and it was only on occasions that he appeared to advantage. It is to be regretted that last week he was inclined to obstruct and give sticks too often, and it should have been the leferce’s duty to penalise oftenor. Kib.hlowhite, like the rest o“ tho team, was giot up to his usual form, but he was tat times conspicuous for good defensive work. Dwyer in goal acquitted himself well, and after tho two goals had got past him ho was prominent by some timely saves.

The ladies’ competition this season have produced some interesting games, and the positions the various teams hold on the championship table aro rather close. Tho following tables furnished by tbo secretary of tho Ladies’ Association (Miss Mellsop) show the positions hold by tho teams after last week’s games:

Two floating cranes, for use with the two Dreadnought floating docks at present under construction, have been ordered by tho Admiralty from Messrs Cowans,’ Sheldon, and Co., Limited, Carlisle. Tho cranes, which' are of new design, will bo the largest of their type in the world, and will be capable of lifting a load of 160 tons.

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. t Pld. Won. Din. Lost. Pts. Ramblers 10 ‘ 6 2 2 14 College Old Girls 10 6 1 3 13 Vic. College A ... 8 6 1 i \ 13 Petonc W 5 IT.nemoa 9 3 3 , 3 Wellington 9 1 0 8 6 ♦Pour matches lost by default. The i team has now withdrawn from the competition. JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP, Pld. Won. Drn. Lost. Pb->. Girls’ College 7 5 2 0 12 ♦. 5 1 1 llorewhini * 8 4 1 3 9 * 1 2 5 College Old Girls... 8 i 0 7 2