HOCKEY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20625, 28 May 1935, Page 13

HOCKEY.

Notes and Comments. The selecting of a team to represent Canterbury against the world-famous India team was indeed a difficult task, and tbe selector. Mr Bellamy, is to be congratulated on his work. Last Saturday’s trial match proved that be had a wide choice, and that if quality was lacking there was any amount of good material. The position of goalkeeper is the only one not definitely filled. The choice has been narrowed down to two candidates. H. Rhind (Sydenham) and D. M. Hall (Varsity). Some years ago Rhind showed promise in the Sydenham juniors. In fact, his capabilities were such that IT. Snook, the ex-New Zealand ’keeper, dropped out to give the lad a chance to prove himself in the senior team. Rhind only requires experience to bcome an outstanding player. Hall, who is more experienced than Rhind. is slower in getting to the ball, and his clearing is not too certain. R. Thompson (right back) has been knocking at the door for several years. He played in the Canterbury touring team last year. He possesses a good eye and should prove a sound defensive player. C. Rogers is tlie veteran of tbe team. He has represented the province many times, and has captained the Canterbury Shield team for several years. With his brother, Ben, he has turned out for Trinity for some years, and has been one of the mainstays of the Port club. W. Bowden (right half) is a solid player, and Is always on the ball. W. Cole (Technical) is well worth his place. He Is an excellent centre half. C. Hore, who played in the test against Australia at Dunedin last year, is a brother of Bert Hore, who was the Canterbury left half for many years. He is very experienced and plays a heady game. N. Bowden (right wing) is the “ baby ’’ of the team. Although tills is his first season in senior ranks he has proved

himself to be of the right stamp. Nippy and fast, he has the knack of centring smartly and at the right time. Both he and D. McCormick play for Trinity and have been together all the season. R. Rusbridge, the Sydenham centreforward. is in that position in the team. He should go well, although he has not the experience or uncanny knowledge of S. Bell, and is inclined to nurse the ball instead of initiating combined B. Duffie'ld (Varsity) is a son of W. Duffield, the well-known Sydenham left half of pre-war days. Duffleld’s strong points are ball control and wristy stick play. U. Moir (left wing), who is probably the fastest man in the team, plays for Technical. He is inclined to bore in more than a left wing should. Perhaps the unluckiest man in the Possibles is L. Silver (Technical), who came from Dunedin this year. Quick off the mark and a clever stick player, he is a great circle man and undoubtedly unlucky to be among the emergencies. S. M'Donald is also worthy of selection. He 1 played a great game on Saturday, and 1 lias been consistently sound in club games. WOMEN’S HOCKEY. Aranui, who have played all of their matches, still lead by li points, Hornbv being second and Rangiora third. Pukaki may move into second place if they win all of their outstanding games. The Aranui-West Christchurch game was a close one, although the standard ot play was disappointing. Aranui’s forwards did not show up as well as usual till late in the day. M. Turner (right wing) gave only occasional glimpses of good form, an injured hand hindering her. The inside forwards combined well at times, but lacked finish. Mortimer (left half) gave her best display this season, while M. Miles (right half) continued to show improvement. Roberts < (centre), who went well on attack, is not so sure on defence. West’s forwards did not have the penetrative power pf their opponents, but they gave the Aranui defence some anxious moments. B. Wormald was the pick, but

I*. Robinson and P. Bell also went well. M. Hillsdon was the best of a hardworking half line which tackled solidly, and gave the Aranui forwards the hardest opposition they have met this season. Both sets of hacks were evenly matched. Playing at Hornby the home team defeated Digby’s rather easily. Technical B went down to Southbrook. Next Saturday no senior A grade games will be played in order that the Canterbury representatives, who will play Ashburton in a curtain-raiser to the India-Canterburv game, may have a practice match against a team picked from the rest. However, one or two matches that have been held up by the holidays will also be played.