HOCKEY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21980, 15 June 1933, Page 4

HOCKEY

By Centre-half. THE SENIOR COMPETITION High School Old Boys A came out ■winners in the game with Balclutha, and, considering various disabilities, probably played best game to date, the forwards especially working well as a line by adopting the short passing tactics. K. Feidler, unfortunately, received a bad knock on the nose just before half time, while D. Gurr strained a muscle in his leg and was forced to take the goalie's position. The full-backs, Brebner and Penny, played their best- games to date. L. Gurr as usual was the pick of the halves. Smith, the centre-half, played a much-improved game, but did not support his forwards enough when the latter were in the circle. Martin was the pick of the forwards, although the whole line played really well. For Balclutha Brebner at full-back, played a good game, while Baxter and Wilson in the halves were a hard-working pair. Baxter, however, gave sticks with practically every shot, and was prone to undercut. This player, too, would probably be of more service to his team if he would restrain himself more. His continual " harping on" to almost every man in his team is not the encouragement that these new players need. White, the goal-keeper, has the making's of a really good custodian, and stopped 6ome good shots on Saturday. The forwards for the most part are rather apt to use their weight, and in doing so they invariably lose control of the ball. Most of these players are, however, comparatively new to the game, but they are showing improvement with each game. The game at Oval No. 3 between University A and Technical Old Boys was for the greater part a disappointing one, and the winning team did not perform nearly as well as might have been expected in view of its achievement the previous week in carrying off the New Zealand University championship. , A very ragged display was given by both teams during the greater part of the first spell, in which practically the only bright feature was Teclmical's goal, but the game assumed a more interesting aspect in the second spell, when University did most of the attacking. Botting was always prominent on the left wing, and was ably supported by Caukwell, these two causing the Tcehnical players a-good deal of anxiety. The circle work, however, was not so good, and they always had a formidable obstacle in Pickup, the Technical goalie, who cleared many almost impossible positions in characteristically brilliant fashion. For Technical Harris again did yeomen service at full-back, and spoiled many a dangerous looking movement, being well assisted by Bond. Although Technical do not win many matches they have the satisfaction of knowing that they are a hard team to beat.

SECOND GRADE COMPETITION The Second Grade competition Ms becoming more interesting after each Saturday. Presuming that C win their postponed game against University D the four top teams are now separated by only one point in each case, the order being:—University C, Cavcrsham, Albany, and H. 5.0.8. Caversham had goals scored against them for the first time on Saturday, when Old Boys beat them by 2 —l, both School’s goals being collected from good corner hits. Only one more Saturday is needed to complete the first round, the University C v. Albany game for next Saturday probably being the most important from the point of view of affecting the position of the leading teams. THIRD GRADE Although only five teams are competing in the Third Grade, the competition is if anything much keener than in previous years. Technical College Old Boys seem to be the strongest team, and it is a pity that some of the other clubs could not find the playei’s to enter teams in this -grade. A club with young players in all grades will eventually come out top in the higher grades. It is thus hoped that the Technical College Old Boys’ Club can keep tbese juniors together and so have sure recruits for future years. The Technical College and High School A teams are very much on a level, while the Primary School teams is certainly much stronger than in previous years, being ably looked after each Saturday by Mr A. If. Smith. In connection with the junior grades, especially the .Third Grade, it would be a sound policy on the part of the Men’s Association (or the individual dribs perhaps) if special efforts were made at the end of the season to keep trace of boy players who leave the primary or secondary schools. For about 10 years the number of teams competing in the Third Grade has rarely, if ever, exceeded five, and these comments are made to point out that the game should be progressing from the bottom, if it- is to be said to progress in the real sense of the word. With no hockey in the primary schools a few years ago, the position was very difficult, but with the game now, it seems, firmly established among the boys, some really strenuous effort should be made to build up the lower grades. It would be a fine thing for the game if next year as many clubs as possible could enter Third Grade teams and see that each Saturday such teams were in charge of some capable person. With a little recruiting work, it should not be a very difficult job. THE LADIES* COMPETITION The whole six teams in the ladies’ competition were engaged on Saturday last, the big match of the day being Otago v. University. * The result of this game gives Otago a substantial lead at the end of the first round, and, though they thoroughly deserved their win on Saturday, if is quite likely that at their next meeting University-may take the-points. In the other games, both Momona and Technical Old Girls deserved their wins over Dunedin and High School respectively, Technical Old Girls in particular playing especially well, and showing much improved form. Dunedin were unlucky in the first half of their game against Momona, the latter scoring three .goals during the time that Dunedin waited for the appearance of their juniors to fill the ranks of the seniors who failed to put in an appearance. In the game between Otago and University, Otago owed their win to the magnificent play of the half-line, of which Miss A. Mackie was outstanding. She was easily' the best player on the field. Miss B. Mackie was very good at centre, and the left-half was very consistent. Miss B. Blagdon, making a welcome reappearance, did well at inside left, but in the latter stages naturally hung back, thereby proving that her place is in the half-line and not in the forward division. Miss E. Kean-' was a consistently good left wing. Miss R. Morton was the best Otago full-back, making a number of good saves in the face of determined University attacks. For University, Misses Raihe and Graham were a thorn in the side of the Otago defence, but found the Black and White rearguard Oh the job. The half-line suffered by comparison with Otago, the tacking and positional play leaving something to be desired. The backs. Misses Campbell and Mitchell, got through a heavy afternoon’s work in Splendid style. Otago thoroughly deserved their win by .1 goals to 1. The game between Technical and High School showed that Technical lacked combination, but their style of play completely upset the defence of the School backs, and their forwards could do nothing against the determined tackling of the Technical Old Girls’ rearguard. As predicted, Technical have improved their play; and if the members of the forward line could show a better understanding of each other’s play, and indulge in short, quick passing, they would reap greater reward for the work (hey put into their game. Given a good coach, provided they took notice, they would be much higher up the competition table. School played disappointingly; the forwards were not

up to the work, and at times their tackling was weak. Technical scored a deserving wjn fay 2 goals to nil. In their game with Momona, Dunedin started short, and, owing to this lack of backs, the Momona vanguard got offside continually. Later, they did better, but Dunedin took a turn at attack and sorely troubled the Momona defence. The game was fast and interesting, but it was by no means first-class hockey. The Dunedin juniors, who filled the ranks of the absentees, played very well for their club considering that they had just finished another game. On the run of the play, and taking everything into consideration, Momona were, perhaps, fortunate to win by 5 goals to 4.

PRIMARY SCHOOLBOYS’ GAMES The first round of the Primary Schoolboys’ competition has opened with two days of play. The third day was unfortunate in that the grounds were not fit for play. The Normal A team has had two wins, the second one being a very decisive victory against the Caversham A team. Shrimpton, the Normal centreforward, is playing very well, hia form being up to secondary school standard at least. Caversham have also a good centreforward in J. Maxwell. The remaining players do not come up to A Grade standard at all. The Forbury team should do well, as they have a number of experienced players. The Albany Street team has two good wings in D. Stewart and B. Graham. The round should prove a very interesting one, a® all the teams are on a par at present. ••FLICK” FIOCKEY A hockey enthusiast forwards details of "flick" hockey, * ganje new to this country, and which he describes (say a a writer in the Evening Post) as a fine game for members of gymnasium classes. A team comprises six players—one back, two halves,, and three forwards—but where floor space is limited a smaller number may take part. The ball is to be flicked throughout—that is to aay, it must be lifted off the stround with tlie stick—and hitting the ball is not allowed, nor is the scoop stroke permissible. The hands and feet must not be used to stop the ball except by the hack when defending hia goal within the circle; he may then use his feet to stop a Shot. The offside rule operates with only one player instead of three ae in field hockey. The end and side walls are used for “behind ” and side-lines respectively. When the ball goes behind it is flicked into play again by the back from within the circle, and when St goes over the sideline it is flicked in by the half standing about a yard in; as an alternative the ball may be played off the side walls which speeds up the game. The rules governing corners and other situations are the came as in field hockey. To prevent crowding on the bull when floor space is limited, the backs and halves should not be allowed to cross the halfway line; this line and the circle are marked out with chalk, the si*e of circles being reduced from the standard if necessary. The goals are made from Sin by 2in timber in the form of a frame with wire netting at the sides and 'backs. Sft high and Sft 6in wide, and the circle is six yards out from the goal line. “ Flick 1 ’ 1 lackey i« a fast game giving excellent practice in the particular stroke used, and making for speed and combination.