THE GAME OF HOCKEY

Taranaki Daily News, 10 June 1930, Page 7

THE GAME OF HOCKEY

PLAY IN SOUTH TARANAKI. GAME IMPROVES IN QUALITY. (By “Old Player.”) There has been a remarkable improvement in the quality of the hockey played in South Taranaki thia season and if the improvement continues the selectors will have a difficult task in selecting a truly representative team. In the game between Manaia and Alhambra some good hockey was seen. This year Manaia has a good team which is strengthened by the inclusion of such old and experienced players as Winters and Albott. More improvement could still be shown were some of the older players to give the learners a few hints. It was noticeable that the forwards were prone to bunch when charging. This is a bad fault, easily remedied, as one good back will always beat two or more players charging him. If Manaia’s half-backs were to keep closer to their forwards they would not hamper the activities of their fullbacks as they are doing at present. If it proves necessary to assist the backs the most efficacious way is to tackle the opposing player from behind by hooking his stick. However, it generally pays to keep close to the forwards, as there is not so much ground to cover when feeding the front division, and few chances of interception. In its choice of full-backs Manaia is .fortunate as both are reliable and safe and able to capably look after their positions. ALHAMBRA’S IMPROVEMENT. . Evidence of careful coaching is shown by the wonderful improvement in Alhambra’s team. When playing Manaia the team .was not up to full strength, but in another match the writer witnessed, it showed great improvement, the forwards passing the ball about in a manner reminiscent of a representative game in the days when hockey was taken more seriously. A few of this season’s players are showing great promise and with more knowledge of the game the team will make its presence felt. Circle work and shooting practice are evidently needed —the team has not had much opportunity of practising' that side of the game in its matches. While the centre-half has shown good form he appears to be rather slow in getting his hit away. His fielding is safe, but he would be more useful to his team if, instead of hitting straight up the field fed his wings. The righthalf is a new player this season, but should develop into a good player with some experience. He has all the qualifications of a good half. Little has been seen of the left-half as yet, but the left full-back is playing an improved game this season, although he has been criticised for roaming. There is, however, a method in his roaming. The right full-back is an old and experienced hockey player and one who can still teach the young fry many things. We have not seen the best of the goal:keeper this season, but his game should improve as the season advances.

THE ORIENTAL TEAM. The writer would suggest that the Oriental team should request the Rev. .Dobbs to act as coach. His knowledge of the game would be of great benei .fit to the team. The centre-forward is still playing his usual dashing game, but is prone to debate with some of the opposing players. If a player informs him he is offside he should take no notice of it but leave such matters to the referee. It is a pity the team could not find another man to replace the inside-right, as lie is much too good a winger to be playing inside. . The right wing is not being fed by •Iris right wing half. The left inside can show much better form than he did against Manaia. Only a new player season, he shows promise. If the "left- wing were to settle down and take play more easily he 'would do better. Considerable improvement is shown by the centre-half, but he is inclined to wander. The left half is only a new player this season and although his tackling is ; bit weak he shows promise of developing into a good player. The right half is off his game this season and one is inclined to think it is due to want of practice. The right fullback is playing good hockey, but should (keep the ball down more than he does. Sooner .or later some referee will admonish him for it. The left full-back is improving with every game and if he keeps going as he is his place in the team will be hard to fill. The goalie is a new player this season and has Stopped some very worrying shots.

ORIENTALS-MANAIA GAME.

One of the finest and cleanest games witnessed in Hawera for some time was that between Orientals and Manaia. Particularly noticeable was the sporting manner in which the referee’s decisions were taken, and the entire absence of talking between players. The game was fast at times and apparently too fast for the referee, who seemed to be short of training. So impressed was the writer with the quality of hockey displayed that on arriving home he delved into a .cupboard and produced his old. stick. His wife anxiously watched him seize her machine oil and polish up the 1 stick. As he swished it about the room her curiosity got the better of her and she anxiously inquired what his intentions were. “Show me a little more hockey like that to-day,” he said, “and I will soon be back in the game.”

. Evidence of careful coaching is shown in the play of the Hawera team, but it is reported that the club has lost its coach. Hawera is to be congratulated on entering two teams in the competition. Both teams are of equal strength and each plays good hockey. The writer has not seen Otakeho play this season, but later on hopes to have that pleasure. One step in the right direction is the formation of a referees’ association. The manner of appointments of referees is considerably advanced as a result and it is a pleasure to see the elimination of the old method of. picking up a referee from the sideline.