HOCKEY MATCHES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13941, 29 June 1909, Page 7

HOCKEY MATCHES.

To the Editor of i.he "Timaru Herald." Sir-I think "Hockey Player" rather misses the point in his letter published in this morning's issue of v-our paper. JSo one will <teny that too much talking is indulged in during matches, and last Thursday's matches were very had m this respect. The case mentioned where a player was ordered oft' was, however, due to a mistake on the part of tlie referee, and Vas not owing to the player talking. The trouble is caused, not by players being ignorant of the rules, but by the very peculiar interpretation put on them by some of the referees. For instance, 1 have joticed, in several matches this season, cases where a player has been in a good position to score, and has been obstructed by the defending backs, and on players appealing, a free hit has been given to the defenders. Is it any wonder that players sometimes have too much to say when they arc expected to play against- this kind of thing? Of course some of the South Canterbury referees are new to the game, but as "Hockey Player" says, the rules are simple enough, and a careful study of the rules dealing with obstruction and offside play would make all the difference. We would find that, with a referee able to give a prompt and intelligent decision, the talk would soon disappear from the field, and the games become enjoyable to all concerned. On

a recent Thursday a game on the Athletic ground was controlled by a wellknown Cliristchurch referee, and although one of the teams has a reputation for talking, hardly an unnecessary word was heard, just because the decisions could be relied on. —I am, etc., „ ANOTHER HOCKEY PLAYER. Geraldino, June 28th, 1909.