HOCKEY.

Wairarapa Age, 1 June 1921, Page 6

HOCKEY.

The match on the Park Oval on Saturday is expected to be one of the best matches of the season. Post and Telegraph and Excelsior have always had a hard tussle for honours. On Saturday these two teams meet, and, judging by the form displayed in the first match played this season, a fine exhibition will be given. The two teams have met for the last eight years, and there has never been more than two goals scored in a match. Practically every match has been won by one goal to nil by one side or the other.

HOCKEY NOTES . (By “Bully.”) Well, the North v. South match is over and won. The result was no surprise to the followers of hockey in Masterton, and I feel I must congratulate Mr. L. Nicol, the selector of the North team. His was no easy task—only 11 could get into the team —and, although at first it appeared that some good men had been left on the line, Mr. Nicol’s judgment proved correct. The game was very fast —at times thrilling—and some brilliant play was witnessed. South opened by attacking vigorously, and from the line it looked as if a goal must be scored, but at the critical moment one of the North backs would save. Person, at fullback, played a splendid game, clearing time and again. Dixon seemed right off his game, but fortunately Person was right there on the job. Webb, the' goal,keeper, at times seemed rather puzzled what to do, but managed to get his goal cleared. The North halves —Barr, Livingstone, and Hanley—played sterling games, and, although the South forwards came and came again, they nipped in the bud rushes that looked dangerous. During the first part of the game it looked as if South must win by a fairly good margin—in fact, I hoard one spectatoi offering another two to one South would win and giving two goals in Of the halves it is hard to single ow any one for special merit, and, al though at times each was out of hi: place, they played a hard game. Ii my opinion Livingstone showed ti most advantage and was always when danger threatened. As a whole, the forwards played i worse game than I have seen then play in ordinary matches; they coult not get going. Nyhane was fed most and played better in the second spell but has not the finish one would ox pect. Davis played hard, but not u| to his usual. Foster was the least of his game, and stuck to it well. Thomp son was right off his usual game, am it was only at times he seemed, tremember he was playing. Flemini has the" making of a good wing, bu will not keep his place—lie boxes ii on the other forwards, and was realb out of his place when he shot hi goals. A wing must keep out. In the first half South certainl; had the better of the game, althougl they came off at half-time one goa down. North had the better of thgame in the second half and came t< light with the goals. Both teams ar< very evenly matched, and when the? meet again a real good game shoulc result. There is one failing in both teams —hard hitting. The backs hil too hard when clearing or feeding their forwards, and give the forward? c lot of unnecessary running. The forwards also hit too hard and theii passing is erratic. Because a forward centres on passes he is not necessarily playing a good game. He must pas* in such a way as to enable the player to whom he is passing to obtain the ball. short, quick passes are necessary, and until the forwards learn that the Norden Cup will be no nearer Wairarapa than it is now. Now, forwards, take the tip—pass in the right direction, quick and always in front of rhe one you are passing to, and don ’t hit so hard. The representative team to play Manawatu was selected after the match. It is a pity the sole selector has not witnessed some games on the Park Oval, which is faster and truer than the Carterton ground. Only four of the North team have been selected; one wonderjs why. Surely, on last Saturday’s piny, Livingstone and Person should find places. Person played a much safer game than Dixon, and Livingstone a better game than some of the South halves. Reputation seems to be a good thing when playing hockey. I agree with the selector that Dixon is worth a place, but if he can get in when he has a day off, why cannot others get in who did not have a day' off? In my opinion another team could be selected to play the pre sent rep. team and fully extend it. It is to be hoped this can be arranged and played on the Pai’k Oval. Take the seven North men who were not selected and add to them Shaw, Davenport. M. Hanley, and White, playing, M. Hanley in the forwards, and you will find an even-monev bet.