HOCKEY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19497, 4 June 1925, Page 4

HOCKEY.

By Centre-Half The two University senior grade teams under ordinary circumstances would have engaged in their first conflict in this year’s competition last Saturday, but owing to the students’ vacation the match has been postponed until their next term. This arrangement lias not interfered with the fixtures being carried out to time-table, as the draw of matches is made to fit it with their holidays. The absence of tlieir A and B teams from the arena last week robbed the senior competition of a litt I>> interest, but tin* meeting later on may be worth waiting for now that the B’s have tasted the sweets of success and are determined to extend Leonard and Iris men to the utmost. I expect to see a firstclass exhibition of hockey in their game. During the vacation the A team will play its annual match with Victoria College, the fixture this year being at Wellington on .Tune 11. Naturally all Otago players wish our University team to repeat last year’s performance, when they won after a line game. The Blues’ C team is keeping its engagements during the vacation, although it finds a difficulty in filling the vacancies caused by (he absence of regular players. Bert Mitford turned out to help them again City last Saturday, and played up to his usual high standard. The senior match Technical Old Boys versus City, on No. 1 ground, was controlled by Messrs K. U. Calde.r and K. Brown. The game taken as a whole could not lie regarded as par excellence, although at times there were hashes of brilliancy. Too much “bnllocking” and obstruction spoilt what might have been a spectacular exhibition. The play in the first spoil ended in favour of City with a margin of one goal. C. Mnyston’s goal being the finish of eleven play between him and Duncan. Davis, in goal for Old Boys, was bard put: to it to keep the Blacks out of bis net. and it was mainly due to his excellent defence that City did not net a double-figure score. With more experienced forwards in his company some of Hinton’s onslaughts on City’s goal may have been successful, as the defence on the City side was in verymoderate form. The absence of Lea. Ireland for the day appeared to disorganise the rear division. Burr, jun.. filled the vacancy, but was not a success in company with Leu Ireland. The Tech. Boys gave City a gruelling time in the first, stages of the second spell, and practically walked all over (lie defence with the addition of two goals to (heir score. thus gaining the upper hand for the time being. But a marked change came over the City men, arid almost before the Old Boys’ supporters had finished cheering (heir third goal Woodford ami his line flashed in three more goals in very quick succession, and from then on to the final whistle controlle 1 tie- attach. Harry Burr sprang a surprise on the defence by smartly taking advantage of a thin opening, and banged in a sixth goal, leaving City winners by fi goals to Cndonbtedly the City strength is in its half and part of the forward, lines. The three forwards- - Woodfield, lUinean, and Cyril Mayston (all Otago rep. players)--may be classed as the best combination on

the loft that Dunedin has produced for yours, but the right needs* strengthening, and Smith (right wing) is now playing bettor (ban over, and is Quite all right in his position. The Inside right (Anderson) il* not quite up to senior rank yet. and I think Burr, jun., could fill the bill there to (lie advantage of his side. But probably the selectors know better. One could not overlook the skilled work of the Blacks’ crack forward trio. The understanding achieved between thorn was most marked hist Saturday, and enough to disorganise any opponent. Cyril Mayston's performance throughout the game was a. verv masterly one. / The half 1 ino appears to have degenerated somewhat as compared with last season. Butler has lost some of his cleverness, and is not; nearly so deadly in his lidding and slick work. Burr is always “on (op,” while. 11. Mayston (until he. got injured on (he head by a slick) displayed advancement on his lust season’s form. ' Hinton was the outstanding forward in (ho Old Boys’ line. One of his goals was (ho outcome of a good solo effort. The opposing full back (Ireland) is perhaps still wondering how he was outplayed. C. Sew Hoy again played his usual good game. Henderson, Jory, ami Pethorick were hard workers all through, and held on through a trying time. Last hut not least was Davis in goal; lie saved time and, time again in brilliant fash ion, and was greatly instrumental in keeping the score down. The pleasure oi the game for some was marred by accidents of a minor or major nature, (lie first, occurring to IT. Mayston by being struck on the forehead by an opponent’s stick. He was dazed for some time, but carried on a/ler treatment, though not with his usual dash. The-other was a more serious one, Watts (Technical Old Boys’ full back) coming info violent contact with the handle of another player's stick. He collapsed and was carried off the held, later receiving medical attention and convoyed (o id’s homo by Dr .Stuart Moore. Watts will now ho compelled (o lay up for a week or so, ami will bo unable to take part, in any more games this season. I am sure all players wish him a speedy and sure return to good health. For the. information of ' country clubs, etc., the secretary of the Otago Ladies’ Association is Miss M. Hill. 6 Sheen street, llosiyn. But any mc/tiiries re hockey generally in Dunedin may be addressed to ■■(,'einre 'Half." care this newspaper, and will receive attention. I am pleased to hoar that the referees are taking tome interest in their duties by holding meetings and_ dismissing knotty points and problems of the rules. These meetings a.ro held m conjunction with tho ladies, and are productive of much e.ltici .la - tion and information for all who attend. Flayers will be pleased to learn that a higher standard of refereeing is being achieved, and that a complete under;!adding and uniform interpretation of the rules is being arrived at.