HOCKEY

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17831, 27 April 1926, Page 3

HOCKEY

NOTES AND COMMENTS

Fine weather and ideal grounds favoured the continuation of the competitions on Saturday last. St Albans played their first game this season and were unfortunately ■two men short when the game commenced, the full team being completed bv the presence of two fourth grade lads. Technical had the better of the game against Sydenham and should have won. SELWYN (3) v ST ALBANS (0) Only nine of the St Albans senior team turned out against Selwyn on Saturday at Uagley Park, and combination was somewhat conspicuous by its absence. The first part of the game was by no means one-sided, St Albans having their lair share of the attack, and more accurate passing by the wing forwards on one or two occasions would surely have led to a score. Quartermain put in some good work on the right wing and his after play was good but his centring was too hard to be turned to account. Franklin at inside right worked hard but there was a lack of coolness and science in his circle -work.

The centre forward position was filled by W. Williamson whose play was somewhat quieter than in former years, and lacking in combination and leadership. Brown, a new player, filled the place of left inside but he was evidently strange to the rest of the team's style of play. lie will improve with practice.

The .veteran, Harry Hale, was in old position on the left wing .and while he has lost none of his cleverness. he is not as fast as in former G. Graham played a good game at centre half, and his fitness and speed siiouid- .very nearly, get him into the representative team this year. W. Lucas, a fourth grade lad, completed the half line, but he could scarcely be expected to keep up to the game. ,J. Soper turned .out as right back and while he has not yet struck his proper form he put up a good defence on many occasions. A. Luxton, a fourth grade boy, deserves a word of praise for his work as goalkeeper. In the first spell he was obviously nervy; but ' he recovered during the spell and although only a lad of fifteen he made a few good saves and displayed pluck that would not have disgraced a veteran. All the Selwyn team went fairly well but there was an easy feeling prevailing throughout and the team were never seriously extended. The front line were solid, and will be hard to.beat when they have played a few matches. S. and W. Bell undeistand one another’s play perfectly. I heard it mentioned the other day, that the only fault with the Selwyn team is that there are too many brothers in it. viz. two Bells,, two Richmonds, and two Hore brothers. As there have l>een three Bells in the forward line for some years with considerable success the brotherhood cannot be a serious penalty\Y. 'Richmond has played better games oil the right wing, and has evidently. itot yet struck form. Mahoney, F. Squires, and M. Hill formed a very fair half line, but wbiie be went well. Mahoney did not repeat his wonderful performance of the jirevicruF week. Both Hill and Squires went fairly well, but not ' fast enough for the dashing .St Albans forwards. and C. Hore were pretty sound.' mt the former got himself into troubl* ~fi>r sticks and he is inclined to drp|j> his shoulder when making his khot. i J Robb, in goal had little to do. TECHNICAL (1) ▼. SYDENHAM Cl). Technical registered their second drawn game of the season on Saturday. ‘They bad rather the better of the game and a little more dash would have given them the victory. The game started off at a good pace and Sydenham were the first to attack. Technical defended well and scored late in the. spell. They had the letter of the second spell, but Sydenham equalised with a neat piece of work. J H Snooks, in goal, proved the salvation of Sydenham, and he brought off some great saves. M. A. MacDonald was the best back on the ground. He has the advantages of great pace and a good reach and he was frequently called upon to use these assets to get his side out of difficult, positions. D. Ward was the best of the halves. He was as clever as Usual and fed his forward? well. E. Dash, at right half, gave a fine displav and is the most promising plaj-cr an the position in the competition. The forwards need a good general to lead them. Larson, the ex-West Coaster. went well, though his centres sometimes were badly directed. C. James was energetic, but he was off his game and N. Pragnell also did very little. Atkinson and Rush bridge on the right were always dangerous. The Technical forwards were very ragged until near the end of the game, when they started some good movements. The team should improve a lot as the season progresses. L. Scott, on the right wing, failed to pass soon enough and was usually beaten before he could centre. Hill was useful, but a tendency to give sticks lost chances for his side. H Teague, though not on his game, kept the; opposition busy. Coffey- gave a much improved dis piav. He was much more confident man in Lie previous week's match, and had hard luck in not. scoring. A tendency to stray was his only fault. \ Hahn, on the wing, was weak. He did not get to his man and usually lost the l>a*. B Rogers and W. Turner were the l*cst of the halves and gave solid displavs. Wear wandered toward the centre

too much and neglected to watch the wing. Ilitchen was the safer of the backs. His stopping and clearing were very sure. Rogers was good in the close work, but he was not too sure at stopping the ball. Archer, in goal, had little to do. Mr C. Bellamy is to be congratulated on his strict and impartial refereeing. M M 35 JOTTINGS. The need for a re-shuffling of the senior and junior grade teams was freely mentioned amongst hockey players last week, but the management committee are evidently satisfied with the position as the matter was not mentioned at last night’s meeting. The Grounds Committee are to be congratulated upon the excellent condition of the playing areas this season. They have never been in better order. An insurance scheme that should appeal to all hockey players is being organised by the Wellington Hockey Association in conjunction, with a wellknown insurance company. The Canterbury Association, it is to be expected. will shortly circularise clubs in connection with the scheme.

The holding of the annual five-a-side tournament on June 3 was discucsse.d at last night’s meeting of the committee. A motion that it be held on the last playing Saturday of the season in place of on Jtme 3 was carried. The large number of entries received for the Philpott’s Competition Cup from the various Wesley Club throughout New Zealand has compelled the management to amend the rules under which this cup is to be won, and in future it will be known as the Philpott's Challenge Cup, says “ Right Half ” in the “ Dominion.” This cup was donated for the purpose of assisting and encouraging the formation of Wesley Clubs in New Zealand and is at present held by Auckland, it having been won last season from Christchurch arid Feilding, who held it jointly. The rules, governing the cup were redrafted at a recent meeting of the Wellington Wesley Club.

CANTERBURY EXECUTIVE HOLDS MEETING. The management committee of the Canterbury Hockey Association met las t evening; present—Messrs L. L. Smith (chairman), H. Armitage, H. Lamb. J. H. Williamson, P. Hill, A. K. Harvey, V. Hahn, A. Mahoney, E. Cumings, I. Davey, A. Graham, P. Campbell, L. Cumings, L. Coffey, G. PI. Franklin and H. R. Sampson. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs W. Williamson and J. H. Jones. The Auckland Association wrote asking for 3000 posters, which are part of a dominion advertising scheme organised by the Canterbury Association. The secretary reported that the request had been acceded to. The Rugby Union wrote granting the use of Lancaster Park for hockey on the same terms as in previous seasons. Mr W. I>. Kirkpatrick wrote forwarding his resignation from hockey circles, on account of his resignation from the Education Board. The resignation was received with regret, and it was decided to place on record the coinmitb%ork appr,f ' ia . ,ion of Mr , Kirkpatrick's She referee in the Rang*iS?a v. Wesley Junior match reported having cautioned a Rangiora player for rough play and on the motion of thf chairman a letter of caution was forwarded to the club. Accounts amounting to £4 IPs 6d were passed for payment. The ppferee in the Technical v. 'Selwyn Senior iGrnde match reported a Technical player for questioning his decision on and off the field. ‘AS the report came to hand too late according to the association's rules, it was decided to severely reprimand the placer The grounds' committee reported that all grounds were fully equipped and were in excellent, ord*>r. A lengthy discussion took place on the reinstatement of players. The secretary reported that app.l i«;a t Urns for reinstatements were not'to hand accordno reinstatements be considered unless forwarded by Tuesday in each week. Only six entries wffe received for the Primary Schools Competitions and it was decided to hold the matter over until the secretary had interviewed several other schools that were likely to enter, with the object of commencing the Primary Schools’ Competitions quire as to the particulars of an insurance scheme submitted by the Wellington Hockey Association. The holding of the Five-a-pida Tournament on June 3 was discussed and a motion:—"That the Five-a-side Tournament be held on the last playing Saturday of the season,” was carried unanimously. A motion of sympathy was passed with Mr and Mrs P. G. Martin in their recent bereavement.