HOCKEY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22058, 14 September 1933, Page 4

HOCKEY

By Centbe-hau. FIXTURES September 10.—Otago v. North Otago, at Dunedin; Otago v. H.M.A.S. Australia, at Caledonian Ground. September 23.—Otago v. South Canterbury, at Timaru. September 30.—Otago v. Southland, at Dunedin. JUNIOR. September 23.—Otago v. South Canterbury, at Timaru. September 30. —Otago v. Southland, at Dunedin. LAST SATURDAY’S TOURNAMENT The big surprise of the tournament held at the Oval last Saturday was the failure of the Albany team, the winner’s of the competition. They won only one game, and were second bottom on the list. Another surprise was created, by the success of B.alclutha, who performed exceedingly well, notwithstanding the fact that they were involved in a motor accident while coming to Dunedin. As the result of this, however, they were late in arriving and the three members who had come to town earlier were supplemented by University B players for the first two games. Both of these Balclutha lost, but when the full team arrived they went through without a loss, and must have been close contenders for the premiership had they been able to contest all the games at full strength. Technical fully deserved their win. and they were closely followed by High School Old Boys A, who scored three more goals than any other team, and had only one scored against them. A WELLINGTON RECORD In addition to winning the five grade championships for which its teams were competing, the Karori Club (Wellington) won the club championship and the five-a-side final. This feat has never been accomplished previously in Wellington (says a writer in tlie Evening Post), and it is likely to remain unchallenged for a very long time. SOUTH OTAGO TOURNAMENT The popular annual seven-a-side tournament was again held at Milton, and city clubs represented were Otago, Momona. University, and Dunedin. It is a pity that more town clubs could not see their way clear to attend, as it is usually one of the best conducted functions in Otago, and the country clubs always do their utmost to increase the entries at the Otago Association’s annual seven-a-side. To those who this year did not make the trip I can thoroughly recommend the outing next year. In the A section Bruce, after hard games, with both Momona and Otago, won all their matches and the section. In the B section Milton had hard games against Clutha and University, but came through unbeaten to win that section. The final between those .old rivals, Milton and Bruce, was a well-contested one, and Milton were all out to beat Bruce by one to nil to win the cup. In the B Grade it was found impossible through darkness to conclude even the sections, and further play will be necessary next Saturday. Up to the present; in section 3, the youthful Toko High School, coached the capable ex-repre-ssntative Maloney, did very well to come through unbeaten, and the Taieri Club annexed that honour in Section 2. Interesting play should mark the closing stages of sections one and four, after which section winners will play off. Altogether, it was a most enjoyable afternoon and the keenness. of the play, the public patronage, and the high standard of their work sets the seal on the undoubted strength and organisation of the game in the country districts. HINTS TO YOUNG PLAYERS Perhaps the greatest and gravest fault in school and Third Grade hockey is with regard to the position of players—boys as full-backs, yet having all the qualities of brilliant forwards, and vice versa, halves as forwards, and so on. As a result of studying younger players of promise in the light of their build and of the many varied hockey qualities, the; writer would like• to make a few suggestions which it would be well for those concerned to consider next year. J. Torrance, primary school representative, left full-back, who is new to hockey, and who was considered the best of the four in the challenge match in Christchurch, is strongly advised to continue the game as an inside forward; he has all the qualities . necessary for brilliance in this position. J. Galland, secondary schools’ representative, left full-back, is also advised to continue the'game as an inside forward,. A. Alldred, secondary schools’ representative, left wing, has-already been advised to play left inside because of his bad habit of crushing his forwards, and also because of his clever stick work and accuracy in the circle. But when one recalls that Eric Green, perhaps England’s greatest left wing, had all these bad habits when young, and was very similar in size and stature, one is compelled to advise Alldred emphatically to play as a left wing and not as he has been playing this season. He must stick to the outside line, swinging the ball hard to the right for the circle attack. At top speed, Green was able to shoot the ball across by developing a half right body turn from the waist. , K. Hayward, secondary school’s representative, left inside, should study the position of centre-forward, remembering that successful combination is easy when the leader is using his head. He is the most dashing of all the Third Grade forwards, and experience and stick work will make him a player of whom more than Technical Old Boys will be proud. R Wedlake, secondary schools’ representative right wing, is advised to play inside right. He also has plenty of dash, the factor that is not easy to cultivate; but he must remember that successful hockey is not selfish hockey.