HOCKEY PROSPECTS

Taranaki Daily News, 20 April 1935, Page 3 (Supplement)

HOCKEY PROSPECTS

NEW PLYMOUTH CLUBS STICKS FOR RECRUITS It is somewhat curious that hockey at New Plymouth commands so small a following. As a ( game for those who are too light to play in the Rugby scrum and yet too slow for the back line, hockey can hold its own with any. It is regrettable that so few men realise this and prefer to watch football rather than to get on the field with a stick and provide their own amusement. The difficulty seems to be that since as a rule hockey is not played extensively in schools many young men have no idea whether or not they will like it if they do take it up. Consequently they are unwilling to spend a pound or two buying a stick which they may not want to use. The New Plymouth clubs this season, however, have come to grips with this problem and ‘arc purchasing second-hand sticks which can be lent out 'to players until they decide whether they will become members permanently. The move should meet with a good response. Another question that is troubling New Plymouth club-men is the uncertainty of getting a suitable ground. They hold high hopes, however, of persuading the Taranaki Jockey Club to allow them the use of two fine areas at the racecourse and it is considered unlikely that the Jockey Club, which is always sympathetic towards the players, will refuse their requests. Hockey enthusiasts at Nev/ Plymouth are an energetic group and arc quite ready, although funds are very low, to offer the club some return for its compliance. In regard to players this season, the New Plymouth club has been weakened by the loss of L. H. Page, the Taranaki representative, who is living at Strainford. G. L. Ewart, formerly an Otago University representative, and W. i Groombridge, who played many excel- j lent games as a forward last year, ha/e ! both been forced to give up hockey, I and their departure will serlmisly weaken the line. S. Tiplady, another | fine forward, will probably be unable ■ to play at the beginning of the season. | However, there is apparently some I good talent coming forward and the test; of a few games will probably show; what the quality is. ; The different days on which Taranaki i towns take their half-holidays causes considerable confusion in forming divi-

I for play, With Urenui withdrawn froth tho 'tinltirdn;/ diviti'/n Nev/ Plymouth |ia conf roofed v/ith th bwk of forming ! four ft k hop*//, however, that, ] TurrlU/t Uls will pot l/z/o in the field. I Trio O/O/tii ri''& fr»io. ‘//h)ih led Tarn- ■ tiak'i Usi the provincial «chwipp/nzthip «//) the Ko/zhai Cup, »pro/rzi.«es tz/ 'f,/‘ nt fotfe'i'M/fe a coml Mnafir/r, s? *7*r. ft has lost to Urenui J Mrs.- if. Yta'tfii tfif- 7'osatile Taranaki r if'ti'/ v/itb equal facility £ pi'ays art forv/nrd or a solid (fcfensivrt ga-rne. (otherwise its personel is urta&h*«T 'chon'gh there are rumours I that fl. fhmriiog, a former North Island ' representative, may be included. I So far as Saturday matches for the ! Gilmour Cup are concerned the position !is not yet clear. Probably the same i arrangement as last year will be adopted, J and nine-a-side games will be played | between four teams, one from Urenui and three made up of players from I the Y.W.C.A. and New Plymouth clubs.