HOCKEY. TO-DAY'S MATCHES.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12805, 28 May 1910, Page 4

HOCKEY. TO-DAY'S MATCHES.

Men's senior: Nelson v. V.M.1., at Reserve; Federal v. Stoke, at Stoke. Last Saturdaj-'s games resulted: — Nelson 4, Federal 2 ; Stoke 3. Y.M.I. 1; Motueka 4, Wakatu 1; Thistle 5, St.-" John 0. ' The last-named gamo was the first played at the Resorve, hut was uninteresting throughout, and Thistle had an, easy wiu, and evidently did not bustle themselves. A noticeable feature was the amount of talking and screaming which went on. Between the two games at the Reserve a presentation was made to the 'retiring president of the Association, Mr H. R. Duncan. A full report of the pToceedings has already appeared. Motueka defeated Wakatu iii the ladies' .championship at Motueka by 4 to 1. This is tha first defeat the latter club has sustained in any 11---aside game in the district sfnee its inauguration. Tho team has had a wonderful run of success, and to some extent this continued success took tlie interest out of tho ladies' gamcis. Their defeat cannot but help to create more interest in the games, as teams have generally gone on tha field beaten before they started. For this reason the defeat of the champion team is the best thing that could have, happened. Y.M.I, journeyed to Stoke and were defeated hy 3 goals to ono. Stoke havo improved wonderfully during the last year or so, and 3 to 1 is by no means a bad beating for tho new club, in the socond round they should make a better showing. The Federal-Nelson match as usual was a good game to watch, and was fast throughout. The Nelson forward line was not so prominent as was ex- ! pected, and as yet lack, combination. Spear and Smythe at full back wero again in good form, and it is a big holp to a team to have such reliable backs. The Federal forwards do not seem to be able to "finish up" wlien they get the ball near the circle, and howover good the backs might be a team cannot hope for much till tho forwards improve. Last week's remarks- in connection with the Thistlc-Wakatu match are evidently not approved in certain quarters. If "One who does know" 'will look again at the notes in question, he will not, I think, bet able to find anything about "the Thistles not . being allowed to claim the _ match." Association rule 46 provides that any postponement mpst l?o posted up not later than oho o'clock on the day of the match. At one o'clock the Committee ordered all games to be played. The weather cleared, no more rain fell, but because one hour later a team could not fulfil, its engagement the match was postponed, after liaving just been ordered to be played. It is news to learn that the Associa--1 tion could not do anything in the matter because tliere was no protest beforci tlio meeting, for rule 17 distinctly states that thp Association may deal with any matter "of its own motion." In this case the matter should have been dealt with, and the rules adhered to, and in any case a governing body should not he prevented from observing its own rules because its attention is not directed to. them by means of a club's formal protest. 'This is obviously where the wording "of its own motion" comes in. What the correspondent says in rogard to Thistle's views on the matter is no doubt correctj but that is no reason why consideration of the matter should have heen put aside. The. Association meeting was tlie proper place, for Thistle's willingness to play to he made known, and the Association would then have acted accordingly. It is said that those who view the matter in this light arc an "irresponsible minority," and are allowing partisanship to overrule good judgment. Why it should bo partisanship and bad judgment to advocate everyone's being treated alike, it is difficult to understand. Certainly tho.se who do advocate this in the Association arc jn a minority, lint they are certainly ppt '-'irresponsible" for a few home truths, ■-..,. Tho Wainui- Wakatu game vi the ladies' senior championship was played at the Reserve on Wednesday, and after an interesting game resulted in a draw, ench team scoring two goals. Misses Parsonage and Louisson (Wainui) and Miss WUftwcJ! (Wakatu) wore ttie scorers, Wainui established la load in the first spell, but tiring towards the end tho champions drew level and made a draw. This result makes the competition more interesting than ever, and as Wakatu defeated College by only one goal, there should be plenty more good games with tho remaining teams. Wakatu are undoubtedly not so strong a s they have been in the past, but no doubt they .would prefer to battle along without having excuses made or goals disputed for them. From last Saturday the games are played on a slightly different area at tho Reserve, and the field now runs -straight dqyyn the ground. - Nelson's protest in company with its delegate's. protest to t'het New Zealand Association does not appear to Jiave been received very favourably, and tho- "meeting is reported to have decided to ask for the name of Nelson's, president. This look's as if the head body has ignored our nomination and -subsequent protest, and has decided to* appoint ft Nelson rosident or no ono at -all. ■■■'„,-, <-,_. . ±„ In ihe same, Federal v. Stoke, to he played at Stoke, the Federals v-m bo represented by .—Harford, w«nsett, Colo, Burns, Webley Millar, Neal, Dee, Holland, Cook ©fabamThe team will meet at the Post Office at two o'clock. ,