HOCKEY

NZ Truth, Issue 878, 23 September 1922, Page 7

HOCKEY

THE AUSSIES ON TOUR. (By "Follow On.") Last Satm*day the touring Australian .team met and went down to Canterbury by 2 goals to nil. The Aussies struck trouble m the first few minutes, Skipper Abel having to retire injured. Grant replaced him. This, of course, was a 'severe blow to the Australian's combination as Abel m his position at centre-half is the king-pin of their whole system. The Canterbury forwards played a great game, the Bells being especially good. Pascoe at half showed some of his erstwhile brilliance. , Martin played i a sterling game at threequarters, arid the Aussies place him as the best back they have so far met m New Zealand. The Aussie forwards made things willing at times, showing exceptional pace. May was the best of a rather weak half line. The halves failed to support the backs properly and the most of the work fell on the threequarters, who are to be congratulated on the sound game they played. Flockhart between the sticks gave his best exhibition to date and brought off many fine' saves. Canterbury proved themselves to be nearly as bad as Wellington at cracking the rules, the total of infringements being 43 by Canterbury as against only 17 by Australia. But the Aussie skipper said to "Follow On": "We have no kick coming arid must say that the result was a fair indication of the day's play." Whilst chatting with this scribe skipper Abel of the Australian eleven expressed himself as delighted with this country and the people m it. The Australians have had . hospitality showered upon them from all quarters and will take away many happy memories of the good time' they have had during their short stay, Regarding the game of hockey, as played here and m Australia, he said that the New Zealand forwards seem to play a much faster game than is the case m Australia. The policy here seems to be to get tlie pall into the circle by the shortest route, then to shoot hard, This hie thinks is clue to our softer grounds. Victoria also plays a very similar game. In New South Wales they play more square passing and naturally more players participate m every .movement. When the New Zealand team visits Australia they will find great difficulty m curbing their bard hitting tactics, and will suffer through this on the hard N.S.W. grounds. The Aussies have had one or two casualties, the worst being Abel himself, who is going on to Jt.btorua to receive treatment for an injury he received playing against Wellington. However, they are looking forward to putting the best team m for the test match, and expect to give the Maorilanders the game of their lives. Some of the visiting Aussie players told "Follow: On" that the standard of hockey m this country iwas right up to the best standard of Sydney and they all have high praise for the New Zealand referees, whom they say interpret the rules well, The standard of play •by the New Zealand girls is higfter thari m Sydney and at the Canterbury? Qtago match at Dunedin there were some splendid players amongst the girls on. both sides. FOR THE TEST; The first All Black hockey team has been announced, and to the selectors' credit, be it said, they have selected a good one. Snooks, between the sticks, hails from Canterbury. He has demonstrated his worth many times m rep. games. •Martin (Canterbury) is also a rep. of his province. The Australians say that he is the best back they have met. The other back is Perriri, of Manawatu, a first- class player, who de-, serves his place. Speight,, of Auckland, is the reserve back and 'a veteran of rep. hockey. v Of the halves McLeod (Auckland) has represented his province both at hockey arid cricket. He is particularly strong on the backhand. Johns /(Auckland) centre-half and skipper, was also skipper of the 1920 North Island team. On that occasion he was photographed and came out very black, and some witty persons christened him the first All Black hockey skipper, and 10, though they knew it not, they were were true prophets. .He is without doubt the cleverest half m the Dominion. Mander (Canterbury) represented the South Island .this year. He is a sound and steady half. Of the .forwards, Jacobsen (Hawkes Bay) 'fills' the right > wing position. He has represented several associations, is fast and heady, and qentres well. A. Alexander (Auckland) is inside left. He 'has represented his province several times, is clever with his stick, and is a good shot. W. Bell (Canterbury), -inside left, is a . very steady, determined player. He has represented Canterbury and •thfe South Island. • The left wing, Grice, of Auckland, is easily the most brilliant winger m New Zealand. He is fast and a splendid shot. ' . • .■ 7 r . „,• C. Whitwell : (Nelson) is the extra forward. He usually plays centre. He is a steady, strong player.. Since the above team was announced, Grice, of Auckland, has been injured and is not -available. Watchman, of Wellington, takes his place amongst the selected. The selectors will make a final choice from the above thirteen on the day of the match. Altogether it is a strong team, and "Follow- On, picks N.Z. 'to carry just too many guns for the Aussies, although the latter may be depended upon to put up a strong fight and a fast and interesting game should result. 1 • , ■