HOCKEY HITS.

Observer, Volume XXXI, Issue 48, 12 August 1911, Page 22

HOCKEY HITS.

[By Line-Out.]

THE sole topic of conversation in hockey circles is the Shield match, and the prospect of our team. The final opportunity of seeing the Shield-hunters at work was given on Saturday, when they met the rest of Auckland. The ground was very soft and slippery, but the display given by the chosen eleven was one that should raise the hopes of the most pessimistic. There is no necessity to enter into a detailed criticism of the individual players, but the opinion of "Line Out" is that the team is the best chosen since 1906, further proof being shown in the send-off given on Tuesday night. Another striking factor with the departure was that the eleven players were travelling as a team with the best of friendship prevailing, and with the confidence of all hockey ites. Wellington's team is the best ; ours is the best ; and on the historic ground of the Empire City next Saturday should be witnessed the greatest game of hockey yet seen in the Dominion. May no element of luck attend either team, and while my sympathies are naturally with the blue and whites, may the side by the execution of superior tactics win the honour so keenly sought after. A fine choice has been mnde in Dick Mason as captain of the Auckland team. Next Saturday can justly be termed "foreign day," as the following, in addition to the Shield match, indicates. Auckland B. reps, play Thames at Thames ; Auckland Junior Reps, play Cambridge at the country township ; Mt. Eden B. section journey to Hobsonville ; while 'Varsity A. section visit Hamilton to try conclusions with the local eleven.

The junior selectors (Messrs Malcolm, Collis, and McKenzie) in their initial effort advanced a team that, While not only representative of the clubs, has met with much approval and reads :—Goal, R. E. Fawcett (University) ; full-backs, H. Vause (Training College) ; R. G. Sloman (College Rifles) ; half-backs, C. Jacobsen (University), J. McKenzie (Training CoDege), Parker (Unitarian) ; forwards, C. Mark (College Rifles), N. <J. Snedden (University), O. Bartleet (Mt. Eden), B. Hobson (Unitarian), W. Johns Training College). Emergencies — Simpson (Unitarian) Reunie (University), Rotherham (Mt. Eden), Langdale (Pimpernel). The team will leave by the Main Trunk on Friday, with Mr H. Culpan, treasurer of the Association, as manager. The B.rep. eleven for the Thames will travel with Mr T. Wrigley as manager. Training College secured _ wins with the three teams in their respective competitions. The hockeyites' commandments : 1. Thou shalt not "stick." 2. Feed thy wings lest they sleep. 3. Humour and obey the referee. 4. Thou shalt not get the "Nettle Rash." 5. Thou shalt not shoot thine enemy's goal-keeper. 6. Thou shalt not " brand " thine enemies' calves. 7. Thou shalt not "damn." 8. Remember thine "inside." 9. Thou shalt not " gambol," neither shalt thou covet "The Challenge Shield." 10. Remember thy "shins" will find thee out.

According to " Bully-Off," in the "Free Lance," the Wellington team as it now stands' is the best selection made this season, and consists of : Goal, Dwyer ; full-backs, Hickson (captain), McEldowney ; halves, Parton, Campbell and Thompson ; forwards, Salek, C. Strack, G. Strack, G. Davies, and Loader. The inclusion of Davies . has undoubtedly strengthened the forward line, and now he is in his accustomed position we are waiting for something of his best against Auckland. "BullyOff" further states that the match is being looked to with more confidence, and the Northerners may take it that the Shield will require more lifting than when Manawatu, Canterbury or Hawke's Bay ' made their respective efforts. Should Wellington retain the Shield, the remaining matches for the property are : Nelson, August 26 ; Otago, September 9th. Prior to the Auckland-Wellington Shield match at Day's Bay, a game will be played between the Y.M.C.A.'s of Christchurch and Wellington. A very noticeable feature about the nominations forwarded by the Wellington Referees' Association for Shield matches so far this season is the omission of Mr H. V. Walton's name. It really appears as if a certain amount of jealousy is involved in the appointment of representative referees. To avoid this, would it not be advisable to give the challenging association the names of all the available senior referees ? I have it on good authority that the Auckland-Wellington match will be played under two referees, and Messrs Falconer and Gendall have been selected by the Auckland Association. The Auckland Association proposed the names of Messrs Gendall (Wellington) and Baddiley (Auckland), but the Wellington Association declined to go outside the four Wellingon names submitted— Messrs Falconer, morpeth, Gendall and Carver. The Mt. Eden Hockey Club intend holding their second annual "At Home" in the Society of Arts' Hall on September Bth. Among the hockeyites who journeyed to Wellington for the Shield match were Mr L. H. Norton, secretary of the Auckland Association, and Messrs J. land P. Lepine, of the Auckland club.

LADIES' HOCKEY

The meeting of Training College and Ao-tea-Roa decided the championship for 1911 ; o"lv it was most unfortunate that the -.vorst of conditions prevailed. The heavy rains had left the playing areas in a treacherous state, and play had not been long in progress before the ground cut up in an atrocious manner. After Ao-tea-Roa's display in the mud the previous week, many favoured their chances, and I was inclined to the belief that if College were to win it would only be on a good dry ground. The unexpected happened, for the Collegians, after a highly scientific display, gained an overwhelming victory by 5 goals to nil—.a good indication of the game— and thus secured the championship and banner. The Areta Club's annual "At Home " will be held in the Society of Arts Hall on 30th August. Play had not been long in progress when it was only too clearly seen that a marked difference existed between the two teams. College were working with combination ; Ao-tea-Roa without. The College stick work was clean and very clever, in marked contrast* to their opponents. The greatest cause of Ao-tea-Roa's downfall was the half line, which almost invariably was to be found among the forwards, hampering them. This left the great space to the full-backs, who should have come up, but they preferred the circle edge, consequently leaving the opposition plenty of room in which to set their machinery in motion, • Once under way, they took a power of beating. Another great fault was the ten-

dency to hit across the field ; and evidently the opposing centre-half appreciated it, for she was enabled to initiate many fine openings from both left and right, and little wonder Ao-tea-Roa became so demoralised. The value of in-and-out passing, which is fast becoming a lost art, was clearly demonstrated by Misses Baxter and Mactier on the left of the winners' vanguard, and was responsible for most of the scoring. Ao-tea-Roa left too much to two foryards, and although their individual efforts raised their supporters' hopes, the flash disappeared when the strength of the defence was met. Space will not permit of a lengthy description of the play, and although they were quite unintentional (proved by the manner in which the players stopped) a couple of kicks were more suggestive of a football match. In fact, when that forward is tired of the position, her advent (on footwork alone will be a sure recommendation) in goal-keeping will be welcomed. There was no necessity for a few disappointed barrackers to vent their feelings in calling to the College not to play football. There was a referee on the ground, and their remarks were suggestive of laxity on that official's part. The College full-backs (Miss Hewitt and Miss Silvester) were not called upon often. The last-named received most work, and checked the attacks of line hitting. To realise the value of Miss Western as centre-half is to see her play. Whether in defence or attack, she was the life and soul of the division, and her absence from the rep. team is a very serious loss. Undoubtedly, Miss Dames and Miss Baxter were the best of the vanguard, and

it is difficult to understand why the last-named is missing" from the reps. Miss Wylie, Miss Mactier, and Miss Lepine are the trio that completed the vanguard, and assisted in no small degree to achieve the victory. Miss Whitaker, as the right fullback of Ao-tea-Roa, was sound, and although Miss Blackburn had only just recovered from an illness, she offered a defence that was very effective. In the half line, Miss C. Norton worked like a Trojan to save the situation, and her non-inclusion in the reps, compels the question Why ? Miss D. Bennett (left wing) was against a tough proposition; but was very prominent. Miss de Launay deserved to meet with success, for her efforts were untiring, and Miss Whitaker, who received an injury early in the game, made, like the centre forward, fine openings that lacked support. Mt. Eden tasted defeat at the hands of Technical School, the result bringing the two teams level, necessitating a play off for the second grade championship. The following table gives the position of the senior ladies' hockey teams at the completion of the championship :— Goals Ch. P W. L. D. Bor. Ag'st. P"ts. Training College It 8 2 1 31 6 17 Aotearoa 11 7 3 1 29 14 15 Ranstatiri 10 6 8 1 IS 8 13 Arawa 10 4 8 8 19 14 11 Rawhiti 10 1 6 3 2 18 6 Kopana 10 0 9 1 0 86 1 Congratulations to Training College, the champions.