HOCKEY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12068, 25 July 1917, Page 3

HOCKEY.

NOTES BY "CENTRE HALF." Playing Christchurch may be likened to buying a surprise packet, as ono never knows what sort ol : prize one is going to get. Sydenham struck Christchurch as on e of their surprise flays on Saturday, and the latter signalised the occasion by piling up three goals in quick tinic-i in the first spell and added yefc another in the second half, while the old timers could only break it heir duck.

Ohristchurcii have now the honour of heating two out of the three leading teams so that Addington-Techn ; cal will have to be on their behaviour lest- they share tho same fate. Certainly Sydenham did not hav e their full team out, as Harrington and Jacobs were away from the forward line, Duflield from the halves and .Berry from tho backs, so that a -t'c-'am with four new players could hardlv be expected to lie at its best. The Sydenham selectors, in their attempts to strengthen their Seniors unlontunafei.v have got into bad odour with tho promoted Juniors, who have- had to take a turn at standing down to make room for the more experienced players whom the selectors have brought out. Two of-these Juniors were standing on the line on Saturday, and although both had been chosenTo play they let their feelings get tlie better of their sportsmanlike qualities and preferred to see their team take tho field with etnle players rather than sink their own little, personal views. I It is not surprising that this particular feeling of self interest should bo manifest rrt the younger players as it is but an echo of the spirit ithat is unfortunately growing between some players and referees. There is an ever increasing number of players who study their own particular pleasure first and always, and give no assistance to the referees or to tho officials of itheir club and of the association who generously giye their time and experience for the benefit of tho game. It is tins o ass or player who makes all the trouble, reduces the ranks of the Rolerees AssociS and generally disgusts all rair and broadminded sports. . The lack of interest this, kind of individual takes in the welfare oi the pnnie was emphasised, at the meeting.ot the Referees' Association which ias specially called by that body on featm- £ night Inst, as, although every ;>p-S-unfty was given for the everlasting crumbier to come and openly an m grievances, he was conspicuous by his absence and the definite object of the meeting was defeated to a certain exMr Hatch presided over about thirty, including half a dozen ladies. The rules were rone into in detail, and many ot the finer points wer« brought out and illustrated. I cannot say that .1 agree altogether with tho chairman when he considers that a man should be debarred from taking a flying hit at a OaJl from a corner when it has gone beyond the circle, as I ccrtend that when a ball has travelled thus far the pace is slackened and the element of danger is ' lessened. The play practically goes on as general, and surely he would not penalise a flying shot at a hall in the ordinary course of the game except be eavo -'sticks." Again, his ruling about stopping with the pads will tend to make the game slow and not at all what, it should be. The essence of rrood hockey is to obtain all the benefit from the stick and the stick only, and no plaver should be able to obtain any advantage from any other source except the goal-keeper, who lias the right to kick in- the circle. While in Auckland lately the president, ilr Simpson, spent an afternoon at Ucmuera to watch the northern iinckev competitions, and he stated to me that he was very favourably impressed with the exhibition, as it was superior io ours. And why 5 Because, as he said, thev played with the stick and did not use their bgs for stopping the hall, and so long as the Canterbury association adopts the attitude of allowing nlavers to gain an advantage by the use of their pads, hockey will never improve. While speaking of referees I should like to point out to some of them that whilo I commend them for their enthusiasm and sporting qualities I would suggest that' they make themselves quite up-to-date with the', niies as T frequently notice referees sit'ill! working on the old rules of some four years ago. Since then the rules have been revised, and as important alterations were made all referees should have a copy of the revised code. 'Io get back to 'the Christrhuroh-Sydcnham .rame. From 'the way Christchurch Parted it looked as if they could have get into two or t-hreri figures, as tho Sydenham team appeared absolutely at sea "With Ballinger and Buttorfield in the forwards there was little or no combination, and the Christchurch backs hustled them all tho time. Hall took Duffield's place in the halves, but considering it was his first game he could not be expected to show tip-top form. The Christchurch forwards, especially Beaton, lmesoi) and Williamson, gave the Sydenham backs all they wanted. Luxton and Hincksman had a merry time, and Snooks appeared to be offcolour in sympathy with tho rest of the team. . . Jones had an easy time for Clinstchurch, and becoming desperate lefitl his goal open while he went up for an isolated hit. This action allowed Snell to push one into the net. Aekroyd unfortunately hit his knee and had to retire. 1 meson came on in his stead. Beeves went back to the three-quarters. The Christchurch half line is the mainstay of the team, and Blackwell, as skipper, keeps his team on tuo "°- i i » i The game between Selwyn and Ad-dington-Teehriieal was disappointing as regards good hockey, as both teams we're, wild and a, good deal of reckless hitting was indulged in. B. -Morns ! was. perhaps, the worst offender, as he indulged in a lot of flying shotw, spoilin"- what was otherwise a good game. Tlie Selwvn forwards were not up to their usual form, and their passing was very erratic and often so fast that it gave the wings no chance. "W. Bell took Downs's place at left inside, and. although be made-the mistake of passing too straight or backwards in the fir.v; spell, be improved in the second half, and played a line game, tackling bis man well. fie is certainly worth considering ar> a permanent Senior player. Morris spoilt the half line by Ins flying shots. Crawford and Evans played a good game, but had to do too much covering "f the centre half. E. Smith and W. Hay were very good in tho three-quarter line, both playing a fine defensive game. Robh was a failure in goal, as lie showed an utter want of judgment Selwyn had D. Smith, of the combined team, marked right through the game, and gave him no chance to get away, but' S. Moms ;>ut -in some useful runs, scoring a goal from one of them. The combined forwards missed some chances of scoring by over-eager-ness in the circle The half lino is as good as there is about this season, taking them as a whole, and Sepie is the best of an excellent trio.

Packman has all the qualities of a

good three-quarter. Considering tins is his first season in Senior hockey, he does well, and is very consistent. Moroton has regained all his steadiness, and is greatly improved from what he was Pttie. beginning of the season. Bellamy badly missed one. from \\ • Bell but'was pretty safe otherwise. In the Bible C'lass-Cranford match 1. hear that the referee had a- very uncomfortable timo right from the start. 1 lie trouble was caused most by an irresponsible set of hoodlums who had nothing else io do but indulge in senseless liarracking and giving silly advice to the members of the ('ranford team. Ac St Albans Park is a public reserve, the association has no power to deal with the public, but f would advise the club to make an attempt to control these followers for the club's own benefit. No one objects to harmless barrack, but the referee must be protected from unfair remarks and criticisms from irresponsible onlookers. B'ut lor this unfortunate element tho o-ame might have been a- good one, as the Bible" Class put up a, good contest and the score at half-way through the second spell was one-all. Woods, in goal, played a great game and stopped many hot shots, while Bix is a host in himself, and with CJlossoni is the mainstay of the hacks. The forwards are a very raw lot still, and want a deal of coaching, although thev deserve to be congratulated for turning out as they do every Saturday.

Giles. Harland and Quartennain are the best of the Crauford forwards, while Lucas is very tricky and plays a consistently good game every wecK. Eric Harland is tricky, but is hardlv strong or experienced enough at half. Sopor showed a weakness for taking the ball right ur> to the forward line, while Mat Templeton is rather slow in getting in his hit. Next week the game between Sydenham and Addingfoii-Tochnical, at Elisor's Road, should be Avorth watching. Should the latter win, they are pretty well assured of the competition. The following are the matches for Saturday next: SENIORS.

Svdcnh.im v. Addhigton-Tcchiucal, Elisors Road (Messrs W. Simpson and P. Pydc): Christchurch v. Craniord, at Sydenham Park (Messrs If. Mofn-idjro un d .'I. H. Jones); Selwyn v. Bible Class, at Sydenham Park E. Ballinger). JUNIORS.

Oxford Terrace v. Christchurch, at St Albans (Mr J. Forrester); Bible- Class v. Green's, at North Park (Mr N. B. M'Callum); Technical v. Selwyn, at Ensro's "Road (Mr 11. Hatch). THIRD G-RADE.

Technical B v. Christchurch, at St Albans (Oxford Terrace ground) (Mr It. Henley);

Crauford v. Oxford Terrace, at St Albans (Mr Y\\ Rogers); Sydenham v. Technical A, at Ad din,", ton Reserve (Mr J. Scott); Selwyn v. Bible Class, at Addiiigton Reserve (Mr I. Davey). FOURTH GRADE. Oxford Terrace v. Technical, at Elisor's Road (Mr P. Pvde); (Jranford v. 'Whnr-enui, at, North Park (Mr W. K. Cook): Schvyn A v. Christchurch, at Xorth Park (Mr u-. Mounsey); Sydenham v. Selwyn 15, at Addington Unserve (Mr I. Davey). LADIES. Seniors. AVaimairi A v. Oxford Terrace, at Papanui (Mr A. J. Towns); Digby's v. Waimairi B, at North Park (Mr 11. AVykcs); Knnjriora. v. N»nio, at Kanjriora (M'r M. E. Ku?jr); Sydenham v. YVharcnui, at Sydenham (Mr J. J. Adams).