HOCKEY NOTES.

Wairarapa Age, 4 July 1929, Page 7

HOCKEY NOTES.

uJMII.J REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. VISIT OF AUSTRALIAN TEAM. (By “Offside.”) The Wairarapa Hockey Association will have three representative matches this month, Wanganui on the 11th, Feilding on the 13th, and the Australian touring team on the 18th. A good deal of speculation is going on as to who will don the Green jerseys this year. A glance through the form of players to date, makes the work of the sole selector (Mr. J. Fisher), a fairly hard one. Goal-keepers are very scarce in the Wairarapa this year, but Ryan (Carterton) has been showing good form in that position. Y.M.C.A. have a new one in 'Shepherd, who has not yet been out. However, the selector will have a chance of seeing him in action next Saturday. The full-backs this year are very fair. S'. Smith (Carterton) is a certain rep. but for the other at least three are in the running. Burgess (Dalefield) would be a certainty if he is available, but a bad leg may exclude him. W. Everett (Greytown) next takes the eye. Wally has been playing a very safe game as full-back this season. Not much has been seen of C. Bannin (Greytown) this season, and the selector will probably pass him over. Watts and Moore (Y.M.C.A.) are a good pair of backs and must be given a chance. The centre half position will probably go to W. Bannin (Dalefield). C. Whitburn (Carterton) has been producing the goods this season, but has a very hard man in Bangin to Whitburn, however, would make a sound left half. C. McDonald (Y.M.C.A.) will take a lot of shifting from the right half position. He is playing better than ever and is always fit. Todd (Dalefield) has also shown good form and also Osborne (Mauriceville).

The forwards will take a lot of picking, as there are quite a few showing rep. form, but the selected ones will probably come from the following:— Brooks, Finlayson and Foster (Y.M.C.A.); Riggs and Goodin (Carterton); Brazendalc, S. Gallon, L. Gallon, M. Ticehurst (Dalefleiu). The most promising forward seen out this season, however, is Sid Gallon, of Dalefield. He is playing a great game and' is worth consideration in any Wairarapa team, either as bully or right wing. The most important match will be against the Australians, and the selector will ensure that Wairarapa will not disgrace themselves on that day. With two rep. matches he will have a good chance to select one of the strongest sides Wairarapa has had for several years.