HOCKEY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11762, 28 July 1916, Page 7

HOCKEY.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. (By HALF-BACK.) On Saturday last it rained so persisitently that tho Competitions Com-raitte-e had no alternative but to postpone all matches. An effort was made to play off the Third Grad'o final match between Techuical College and "Woolston, but owing to tho fact that ona of the players in. tho former's team was under doctor's orders not to play in tho wet, this game also had to be postponed. This has proved to be very unfortunate, as two members of the Woolston team have since gone into tv&uung at lreiitham. Under ■ tho present circumstances, it would not be fair to the Woolston Club to compel them to . play off tho filial while two of their men are in camp. The best way out of the difficulty is to award a tie, and havfc both clubs' names engraved on the cup. 1 understand that this is tho recommendation that the Competitions Coninut-t-no is making to the next meeting of the Management Committee. It should readily commend itself to those concerned.

In place of tho usual games on Saturday last a "hockey talk" was held fin tho Y.M.C.A. rooms. Mr W. Simpson presided over a fair of players and referees. The Technical College and Selvvyn Clubs were the best represeutd at tho meeting. Mr N. Goldsbury gave a short lecture on certain aspects of the game. The meeting then developed into an argument concerning various points of tho obstruction rule This argument concerning rules was not the intention of those who first suggested holding, these "hockey talks Tho original idea was to have lecturer to instruct younger nlayers on how to play the game. With this obiect in view I append herewith some, comment concerning the half-back's position. Tlie halves form the backbone of the team, and' are worked harder than other members, since they must bo equally active in attack and in defence. Their duty is to follow. closely behind' tiro forwards in attack, intercept passing between the opposing forwards, ororcise judgment in passing to their own forwards, fall back when tho latter lose the ball, and generally be on the alert from start to finish. They must tlierofore, bo vei'y lit and active, and should ho able to uso both feot and hands in intercepting. It is seldom necessary for them to hit very hard, but rather to uso their brain in achieving accurate passes. They should always remember to pass as soon as possible, and should hardly ever dribble, unless it is absolutely necessary to get clear. Should they b<> unable to take the ball from an opposing forward, they must endeavour to compel him to pass, so that another half-back or back may have an opportunity of intercepting. They shoukl never leave an opposing forward alone, but should continue to worry him, as nothing upsets n forward more than to feel that he has never shaken* off the half-back, who is still Tunning at his heels like a tiresome terrier. The centre half carries the greatest responsibility. He must be always endeavouring to break up the combination of the opposing forwards. Immediately < he receives the ball he must judge as to which of his forwards he can to the best advantage pass it. • Ho must be prepared to feed either wing as occasion'demands; and at times his centre forward. He should endeavour to keep tho game free and disentangled, thus avoiding congestion in any part of the field. If the players have become crowded on the left he should_ pass as soon as possible to tho right wing, who may thus be able to get a clear run. He must especially remember to carefully rrwirk the opposing forward. A really good centre half may often prove the pivot on which a gamp turns, since ho is to a great extent the custodian of tho key to the position of attack.

Included in the ranks of the Nineteenth Reinforcements which left for Trent-ham on Wednesday night wore three well-known hockey players—H. W. Wilson, C. Albiston and J. M. Snelling. ' H. W. Wilson for several years has occupied the right-wing position of the Addington Club's senior team. He has proved himself to bo a high grade player, and on three occasions has represented Canterbury in interprovincial matches. C. Albiston is also a member of the Addimrtori Club, bnt has not played this season. Last year he was elected to a position on the Management Committee' of the Canterbury Hockey Association. J. M. Snelling is a member of the Wooleton Club's second grade team. He has been very successful as a player this season, proving himself to be a prolific goal scorer. If he proves as adept with the aa ho is at shooting goals, ho should soon make good as a soldier.

At tho meeting of tho Management Committee of the Canterbury- Hockey Association f held last week, a deputation was received frqm the hockey section of the Red Cross bandage classes, asking for the association's _ help in securing more workers for this deserving cause. It was decided to bring tho matter prominently under tho notice of players by instructing each of 'the referees, in the games on Saturday next, to read a circular letter stating the urgent need for further volunteers to take up the good work. It is to be hoped that- this procedure will hear fruit. Those of us who for various reasons are unable to go to the front, can surely spare one night each week in helping to provide adequate supplies of bandages for cur mates in the firing line. - The class meets on Friday evenings in the Red Cross rooms, at tho corner of Manchester and Worcester Streets. # »

Tho military authorites are holding a compulsory lialf-day parade on Saturday, August 5, for all members of tho Senior Cadets. In consequence of this all matches in tho second, third, fourth and fifth grades sot down for this date will bo postponed. The Competitions Committee has ascertained that no Senior Cadets are playing in the Senior competition, so that the Senior games will all be played. A number of the Cranford and Selwyn Seniors who were in the Senior Cadets were transferred to the Territorials last week. ' # »

SATURDAY'S GAMES. Tho following is the <Liw for to-c.oro'.v's games: First Grade. —Sydenham v. Adding ton, Lancaster Park; efcrees, Rev. G. S. Bryan.Bioivn and Mr XL H;Ueh; Sehvyn v. Cranford, Svdanham Purlc, Miesis W. Simpson and P.'Ryde; Christchurch it bya Second Grade.—'Technics,! College v. Belfast, Elisor's Road, Mr E. Bollinger; Chr'"-!-eburch Sydenham, Sydenham Park. Mr F. Turnpenny; East Belt v. WcolsUm, Woobton Park, Mr 11. Kogcrg; Sehvyn a bve.

Third GrnJo.— c <s!v:.\ti v Oxford Terraca, A'Jdiiistor. Re-serve, Mr J. Fenoster; Cbrotohurcfi v. R.cc.arton Guild, Polo Ground (f.'iristchurch Ground). Mr A. Dicla-rson; Technical Csllogo v. Addington, Polo Ground, Mr J. Scott. . Fourth Grade. —Selwyn v. Sydeniiam, «. ddineton Eesorvc Mr J. Davics; Crawford v. Technical 'xdlogc, Knnor's Road. Mr F. Gallon; East Bolt v*. Hiccarton Guild, Po ,- > Ground, Mr A. Cotton; Chrisiciurch a byi. F'ith Grade, at I.HO p.m.—Sydenham v. Sehvyn, Addington Reserve, Mr A. Turnpenny; Wharomii v. Technical College, EnForV Koad, Mr J. J. Adams; Christclitirch v. Opioid Tcrricc, Polo Ground, Mr J. Scott. • * LADIES' IIOOIvBY. Tho New ZA;aland Association has, at last, definitely decided to hold this year's tournament in Christchurch. Tho series oi frames will commence on Saturday, September 2, and continue till Saturday. September 9. As the proceeds of the tournament are to bo devoted to the Patriotic Fund, thero shonld.be no difficult in securing Lancaster Pp.rk. Lc now ohlv a ;.;eod entry from tho Tiiricus provincial teams to miike tlii' competition a sue-

csss. It is not expected, however, that anything in tho nature of a record will be created by the number of entries received. Owing to the money from the tournament going to the Patriotic Fund, there will bo nono available to pay the travelling expenses of tho competing teams. Tho smaller associations, which are separated so mo distance from Christclrurch, will consequently find it somewhat difficult to finance the trip. It is fully expected, however, that tho various associations will rise to the occasion and send forward teams of sufficient strength to make tho tournament an interesting one.

The Canterbury representative team this season will contain a good percentage of new blood, as a number of last, year's players aro not now available/ If the Senior competition is not furaher interrupted by wet Saturdays, the selectors will have sufficient time to play a number of trial games with a view to securing tho very best to-am available to do baltlo for' tho province. •

The folio-ring is the draw-for tomorrow's Senior?.—Ngaio v. Waimniri A, at Woolr.lcn Parle, clcrce Mr W Strange; liangiora v Wtvimairi Ij, Bapanui Domain, Mr H. Mojr/idfio, AVhareimi v. Cambridge. »t Cutler's Ivoad. -Mr.,o. K'X. Technical Ccl'cga v. Dig'oy's, at Ensor'3 Itoad, Mr J. J. Adams; Svdeaiham a byt.

JnrJors.—KantT'Orft Oxfcxd Terrace at Hanporct, Mr W. Wilson; Riue.ir'.on v. IMsbv's, TJiccarton Domain, Mr W. Ha'l; Technical v. Sydenham, at Sydenham Park, iir 0. Biilteriicid.