HOCKEY

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18546, 21 August 1928, Page 12

HOCKEY

j. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Saturday saw the final of the knockout and the last of the senior competitions for the season, and Selwyn have added to their already lengthy list of honours by annexing the championship of the second competition this season. On Saturday last, their opponents (Sydenham) never looked like winning, and Selwyn’s goal-keeper was rarely troubled.

The most remarkable fact regarding Selw3>-n’s long list of successes is that no team has made a serious attempt to adopt the champions’ style of play, which is entirely different from that of any other team. No team has mastered the art of the short pass to the same perfection, although some of the senior teams have been together for a number of years.

Although Selwyn played a couple of junior players oii Saturday, the old hands went so well that there was scarcely any appreciable weakness in the team. With B. Morris and S. Bell in the front line, the attack is always varied and puzzling, and time and again on Saturday these two and W. Richmond brought off baffling tactics. J. Squire, on the left wing, is more of a soloist, and put in some good runs, turning one to account. E. Getson, a junior player, was on the right wing, and, while he could not be expected to play up to the .standard of the senior players, he showed that with experience he would make good. F. Squire was absent from the half line, which consisted of B. Here, C. Hore and. A. Newth. The first-named played right up to his form as usual, and stopped the opposing forwards in great style. C. Hore is not far behind, and only lacks the experience of his mate. A. Newt.h, a junior player, was very fair, and a game with the seniors will teach him much. M. Hill and T. Morris formed the rear line, and worked hard, and with J. Robb managed to keep the goal clear. The work of the Sydenham team was disappointing, and, allowing for the fact that they were playing against a stronger team, their stick play was crude, and their clearing without purpose. To sec a senior player hit straight to an opponent when taking a free hit is not encouraging. In the earlier part of the game, the Sydenham forwards repeatedly lost ground through giving away free hits for absurd breaches. The front line sadly needs a leader, one who will guide the attack. XV. Rushbridge, who promised well at the commencement of the season, is not playing up to his proper form. J. Langridge was the most promising player in the line, as N. Spiers missed far too much. J. Anderson, L. Cummins and T. Upton made up a half line that was totally incapable of dealing with the varied attacks of the Selwyn forwards. E. Dash and C. James had a hard day in the back line, and both were stubborn in defence, and, with 11. Snook in goal, were responsible for the comparatively low score. In all, the Svdenham team were outclassed in every department of the game. TI. Snook certainly played a great game, and saved time and’ again. Jotfatogs. .u ln „? e n eat L ng on Saturday the Wellington Association gained nossession of the challenge shield. Povert>: , e " ter ? d a challenge, but it is doubtful if the match will be played. Unfortunately Canterbury did not forward a challenge this season, so that Wellington should remain in possession till next season. The secondary and primary school ,

teams left for the West Coast this morning to play friendly matches against the boys in their respective schools at Westport to-morrow, returning to Christchurch on Wednesday. There is a probability of a trial match being played on Saturday next in order that the selector may sec the players in action before making his final selection of the team to meet Otago on September 1. The arranging of the latter match makes the holding of the annual five-a-side later than usual, and it is a pity it could not be arranged for Saturday next. The policy of the primary schools’ team selectors in bringing in an outsider is one that is not likely to meet with approval, and it is hardly fair to boys who have been competing in primary schools competitions all the season. Apart from the injustice to the boys playing regularly, the selectors are taking a big risk in including a player whom they have seen in only one game. A Visit to Ashburton.

The Canterbury side which visited Ashburton on Saturday had an easy victory, but the home side played a willing game and are evidently very enthusiastic. Prospects for starting the game at Ashburton appear to be bright.

There are several enthusiasts in Ashburton who are well known in Christchurch, including Mr C. Bishop, who was selector for the junior representative team which successfully defended the Junior Challenge Cup in 1921-22-23, and Messrs S. Gower and S. Truman, who played for Varsity. 11. Pearce, who pla} r ed for Technical some years back, was one of the stalwarts of the team which played on Saturday. lie has lost little of his skill with the reverse stick.

There is a possibility of Ashburton sending up one or two teams to the five-a-side tourney in Christchurch. If the Canterbury Association give the proper support, there appears to be every prospect of starting a comin Ashburton next, season.