HOCKEY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18914, 27 June 1931, Page 17

HOCKEY

NOTES BY “SHINTY.” The following column will be devoted to notes and items of interest to hockey on Saturday of each week. “Shinty” will be pleased to receive any news of interest on the game, and will answer any questions relative to rules, etc. All communications are to be addressed to “Shinty,” O/o “Herald,” and to reach this office not later than Thursday of Mich week.

Quite the best display of hookey given for some time was that by Oralghead School in their match with Stafford B last Saturday. Their combination and positional play was a treat to watch, and should be an object lesson to other teams. “Shinty” was greatly impressed with the “follow in” principle when shooting goals. For instance, when the centre forward had a shot, both the inside right and inside left rushed straight for the net, and on three occasions caught the ball on the rebound from the goalkeeper’s pad, scoring good goals. The star performer of the Craighead side was the centre forward, H- Fitch, who played a strong attacking game right through the match. The two “inner” players, J. Shlrtcliffe at right and J. Johnstone on the left, also gave a splendid exhibition, the la6t named scoring two goals. N. Orbell on the right wing played well, her centreing being all that could be desired. She was greatly encouraged in this respect by the fact that the forwards never failed to be in position to accept the ball.

All the backs in the Green side played good hockey, but the outstanding player was the goalkeeper, J. Savill, who made full use of the goalie’s privilege of kicking the ball, and frequently aroused the spectators to enthusiasm by stopping some hot shots.

H. Weir, playing centre for Stafford, played well, but lacked support from the rest of the forward line, who, with perhaps E. Lindsay as an exception, were never in position.

Flaying for South End B, D. McKenzie showed himself an improving player. A bad habit of giving “sticks” at present robs him of many opportunities, and he should endeavour to overcome this fault.

A. Cowles played well on Saturday against Trinity, but would do better by keeping his place on the field.

Trinity fielded a good side in last Saturday’s match, V. Hahn making a big difference to the forward line. I. Hamilton, also played good hockey, and is fast developing into a firstclass player.

The South Canterbury Association has decided to accept the invitation of the Otago Association to send two men’s teams to Dunedin, and July 18th has been suggested as a suitable date. It is to be hoped that sufficient players will be available to make the trip —quite a problem these times.

The Introduction of the Saturday half holiday in Invercargill has been a boon to Southland hockey. Previously two competitions were held on Wednesday and Saturday respectively, but these have now been merged into one competition. In the ladies’ senior grade eight teams take the field every Saturday.

As “Shinty” prophesied, the New Zealand Tournament has been allocated to the Auckland Association, and will commence on August 28th. Considering the distance that most teams would have to travel, and the expense entailed, it is doubtful if many South Island teams will participate, although from a report appearing in the “Southland Times" the Southland Association are endeavouring to send a team north in an attempt to win back the K Cup which they lost at last year’s championships.

The New Zealand Men’s Hockey Association have received four challenges for the New Zealand Shield—Waikato, Buller, Poverty Bay and Otago Associations having expressed a desire to contest the trophy. The first match in which Canterbury (holders) will defend the shield will take place to-day when they meet a team from Otago, and from reports the match should be a good one. The writer would not be surprised to see the southern team emerge victorious. If so, Buffer's challenge will automatically lapse, the entry being subject to Canterbury, the shield-holders. The New Zealand Association has issued a notification that referees for Shield games must be nominated not less than seven days before the game, and that managers and selectors are debarred from carrying the whistle.

The important event to-day will be the game Cambridge A. v. South End A. In the last round, the Light Blues were victorious after a good hard game. However, South End are confident that they can reverse the decision to-day, and spectators should be treated to a good exhibition.

The South End forwards will find G. Annear a hard man to beat In to-day’s game. He is probably the most consistent player this season, his fielding and placing being without fault.

F. O’Connor is at present playing good hockey, but robs himself and his side of many goals by giving “sticks” in the circle.

A notable feature regarding the Craighead team was the absence of infringements, the side being rarely penalised. It was rather unfortunate that one of the few decisions given against them, “a penalty corner,” led to a goal for the opposing side.

J. Arbuckle, though new to the game, gave a good exhibition in Stafford’s goal, and considering the strong attacking side, the shots that past her were no disgrace.

"Shinty” noticed with regret that the old habit of commencing games late was in evidence. This trouble had been practically eliminated so far this season, and the Association should take steps to prevent a reoccurrence of this trouble.

Whoever was responsible for the conveyance of the nets last Saturday, neglected to carry one net in. The writer understands that teams take it in turns to attend to this matter, and it is the duty of Club captains to see that it is carried out. m the past the Association, and incidently the players’ property, has been damaged in this way, and it behoves all participants of the game to help to avoid