HOCKEY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19196, 12 June 1924, Page 4

HOCKEY.

By Wagges.

Sporting enthusiasts were favoured with very congenial .conditions for their game last Saturday, and in common with kindred bodies, hockey players enjoyed the fine weather and dry grounds on the Oval. This popular playing area has of recent years been vastly improved, and is at present in very fair order for "the game that grows.” Each succeeding season should see a still further improvement as the result of filling in and top-dressing carried out by the City Council. The two University teams were st-fll absent from the competitions by arrangement with the Match Committee, but the programme has not been disorganised in any way, as their A and B teams con meet on some midweek afternoon. Next Saturday should see the “Blues” in action again, when the A team will try conclusions with City, whilst the B eleven’s proposition will be the rapidly-improving Albany team. Technical Old Boys meet Gymnastic and should add to their series of successes this season. The result of the University A and City match may put the competition in a particularly interesting state. On present form, and with their full strength City should prove themselves the victors, but one dare not reckon without considering the talent of the students and their ability to play har<j until the final whistle. I commend this match to the interest of hockey enthusiasts, and expect to see the area well lined with spectators. A peculiar feature of the two First Grade matches on Saturday was the uncertainty up to half-time in each game as to what the issue would-be. In the City v. Gymnastka game there was no score at half-time, and at the interval of the Technical Old Boys and Albany match the score was two aIL The second spell in each contest proved tlie superiority of the respective winners— City and Technical Old Boys. ‘ These two teams are still oq top of the list with an equal number of points. The Albany boys are to be commended for the solid and stubborn game they put up against their more experienced opponents. With a littlq more knowledge o£ senior hockey this Team will he hard to stop, every player having keenness and en. thusiasm. They show . signs of consistent training. The contest was conducted in the best spirit, and was controlled by Messrs T. S. Mitchell and M. Gardiner. Technical Boys’ forward line has suffered by the departure of Seelon, and one notices the lack of combination when he is absent. Their new line' may develop some understanding, but not while one or two possess the idea that “solo” work is effective. Harris played his usual hard and' safe game, using his speed to some purpose. Munro, at full-back, is rapidly improving, and moving himself a serious obstruction to tho good intentions of'opposing' forwards. Probably the best player iri senior grade last week was the calm and always cheerful Vin. Fleet. His performance as full-back for .Gymnastic was outstanding. Time and time again he broke up tile consistent attacking of City front line, and cleared strongly. His form as a full-back-may help to solve one of the selector’s problems—i.e., to collect two safe arid dependable fulhbacks. Patterson, in .goal, was called upon to prove his courage and skill again, and in doing so gave a brilliant display throughout. Some of the goals notched would have dazzled any goalkeeper, and Eric may be excused for being outwitted a few times. With the exception of these two the Reds are not playing up to senior form—the half line is weak and the forwards are not much better. Mercer is a hard-working centra half, but. docs not consider direction whan, getting rid of the ball. Don plays anything but good hockey. He is far too careless and indiscriminate in the use .of his stick, and unless ’ lie adopts better methods will, I fear, seriously injure someone. He was observed last Saturday to smash wildly at one of his own clubmate’a legs, fortunately without injuring him. Now, Don, if you will please use a little more discretion on tho field you can materially help to strengthen up your side and bring credit and honour to yourself. ' City took a long .while ,to penetrate the defence of Fleet and, Patterson, but the ricmbination.ajld persistency,of the forward lino eventually had its reward. Mayston was missing from the left wing. His substitute (a jiunior) did very well, but of course lacks experience. The thorough understanding existing between MTvor, Woodfield, and Duncan, gave them heapsof opportunities iri the circle. . These three forwards played beautiful hockey, their passing and repassing being of a masterly order. The second goal was very cleverly manoeuvred by short passes, ending in Woodfield following up Duncan’s shot after Patterson had partly saved. City halves backed up the forwards, all three displaying clever work. Mayston (left half) is improving rapidly. His accuracy of stick play is of great advantage , to his side. I expect to hear more of this young player within the next year or two. Owing to injury- Gardiner stood out of City team, his place being occupied by Guri. junior (a promising colt). He and Len Ireland were more than equal to chock the Reds’ rushes, while Randall, in goal, had nothing to do. His only view of the ball was from a distance. Why is it that many junior players, particularly the High School boys, are able to stop the ball with their feet without knocking on while senior pi dyers are not so expert ? Several of these Lads stop the bail dead with their feet and clear quickly without even a suggestion of infringement In my opinion their play in this i-ospect ia superior to that seen in senior hockey. I would like to know whether our players study the rules of the game. From some of the infringements it would appear that they have no definite knowledge of what is wrong, being content to leave themselves entirely in the control of the referees. How many have read the rules? There are several points which should be common knowledge to all in the game without appeal to the referee. Some of these are: exact position of a bullyotf on the 25 yards’ line, long and short corners, and on which side must a corner be taken, roll in, five yards’ line, etc. A thorough knowledge of the game by those participating will materially assist the referee, and surely improve, the standard of play-