HOCKEY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21648, 19 May 1932, Page 5

HOCKEY

By Centke-iialf. LADIES' HOCKEY Secretaries of ladies’ hockey clubs in Dunedin and officials of country clubs ami sub-associations are invited to contribute items of interest to this column. Contributions should reach this office, addressed to “ Centre-half,” not later than Tuesday of each week.

ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT "Interested.” —Section 2 of rule 10 indicates that a ball must touch the stick of an attacker in the circle before a goal can be awarded, and this was considered by an authority to whom the query was first submitted to answer the position fully. It may be noted, however, in rule 16, that, if the ball goes off the stick or person of the offender over the goal line, between the posts, a penalty goal should be awarded to the attacking team. This would appear, though the rule does not actually say so, that rule 10 is to be disregarded under the circumstances described, but, at the same time, the wording of rule 10 leaves it sufficiently wide for the referee to be acting legally in refraining from awarding a goal. The application of the “ advantage rule ” would be at the referee's discretion, and, in the circumstances outlined, it is, in my opinion, debatable whether it should be exercised or not. SENIOR COMPETITION Each of the teams engaged in the Senior Competition has now played three matches, but only one team has been successful in the three—University A. Saturday’s games were played under rather uncomfortable conditions, the grounds all being in decidedly poor order. As has been remarked before, the association has cause for complaint in regard to its grounds, for it is rather remarkable that the comparatively small amount of rain experienced immediately prior to last week-end should have been sufficient to do the damage w'hich was apparent when play was commenced. University A had a rather one-sided contest with City, which did not succeed in getting past the Blues’ defence once. University’s defence is decidedly good this year, and the same can be said for the manner in which the players in the forward line w-ork together. Albany also had something of a runaway victory over Balclutha, though the visitors put up a plucky defence in the face of the stronger attacks of the more experienced Albany players. Several individual members of the Balclutha team showed very promising talent, but the side has not yet attained the cohesion necessary for successful match play. Training College played something in the nature of a surprise game to win from Technical Old Boys by a margin of two goals, and it was a game which was seldom lacking in interest. To some 'extent it was a forwards’ game, though both sets of backs had plenty to do. The attacks were frequent and dashing, and there were a few solo efforts which served to add to the interest.

The High School Old Boys-University B game suffered as a result of the state of the ground, and fast play was not frequently in evidence; Old Boys appeared to have the better team bnt the game was not one to display the relative merits of the players to the full. UNIVERSITY TOURNAMENT The annual interimiversity hockey tournament is to be held in Wellington on June 2 and 3 culminating in a match on June 4 between a team representing the four colleges—Auckland. Victoria, Canterbury and Otago—and a Wellington eleven. Last season’s winners of the tournament which is played alternately at Christchurch and Wellington were Canterbury with Victoria runners-up. It appears at the time of writing (says the Evening Post) that the tournament itself will be played at Newtown Park, where it is hoped to have two full-sized grounds marked out. and that the New Zealand University-Wellington game will be played at Karori Park, when all local senior A club matches will be postponed. Men’s and ladies’ teams from thd four colleges will be taking part in the tourney. No definite request has yet been made to the Wellington senior selector, Mr H. Hatch, to pick a team, but no doubt ho has already noted the players who are showing form, and this season he has some promising material from which to make his choice." ’ THE ROLL-IN The roll-in is a much-neglected point, and applies not only to beginners, but to players of experience (says a northern writer). The times the game is held up and chances are lost owing to faults at the roll-in are far too numerous. Usually, it is the player rolling the ball who is at fault. Carelessness, over-eagerness, or rashness will produce the most common error—throwing the ball through the air. The first point to bear in mind is to release the ball with the hand close to the ground so that it is rolled along the ground, not thrown through the air or bounced. Of course, occasionally a rough ground will cause the ball to bump, and referees should make reasonable allowance for this. When taking the roll-in the half should stand back clear behind the line—otherwise he is likely to be penalised for stepping over or haying his stick over the line infield. Both points are easily remembered, yet the neglect to observe them results in almost all the unnecessary holdups at the roll-in. All that the other players have to remember to avoid penalty is to keep outside the seven yards line until the ball has left the hand of the half-back throwing in. One more point for the player taking the roll-in. Always send the hall to the player on your own side best placed, but when in doubt send the ball ns far upfield as possible. Of course, when on attack a quickthinking half-back often secs a chance (from a roll-in) of sending the ball right into the circle from the sideline, and this is a good move if the forwards are alert enough to take the chance offered.

SENIOR COMPETITION Goals Cup P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. University A 3 3 0 0 14 2 6 Tech. Old Boys 3 2 1 0 16 11 4 Albany 3 2 1 0 13 6 4 H.S.O.B. .. .. 3 1 1 1 12 9 3 City .. .. Training College 3 1 .1 1 6 10 3 3 1 2 0 11 17 2 Balclntha 3 0 2 I 5 18 1 University B 3 0 2 1 0 9 1