NOTES BY "BULLY."

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 8 September 1908, Page 8

NOTES BY "BULLY."

On Saturday last Auckland were again successful in proving their right to the N.Z. Hockey Association's Challenge Shield, when they defeated Wellington by two goals to nil. Auckland has only one more shield match to play this season, that being next Saturday, when they will be called upon to defend their title against Wariganui. ' The Wanganui team will be considerably strengthened, some alterations having.been made in the team that played a drawn game agaiiist Wellingtdn last Tuesday. It is very fortunate that Gurr can make the trip, his inclusion in the team, will make a great difference. The half line is completely, nlteted, none of the play era who played in tho Wellington match bemg selected. Gurr replaces, Bannister, Mill replaces Fear and; Bassett has been selected in Haase's place. Of-the three Bassett is the weakest, and has done nothing this season to. justify his inclusion. He has only played three games in the past ■ two: years, and is not up to'representative ■ form.. Haase whose; place Bassott Has filled has undoubtedly been disappointing, his exhihitipn last Thursday " being /one' of the. worst games he has; played this season..; Fear or Bannister should have filled his place. I might here mention that one of the selectors,1 ?fas nob seen Bassett playing. % single / jptamothisvseason. This isjto beiiregret- ' ted; for !pn such an occasion" as ;this it is essential, that the very best men should be selected. la, my opinion the selector referred to has not done the position justice, and should have resigned long ago. Such methods of selecting teams will not-meet the approval and' I trust that next season the Association will decide to have a sole selector::;.. --■:''■■■'■_ . •: ■ : ■:. ~ . . ■•

Getting back, to the: team, with the exaaptipn of Bassett the team is practically the strongest that can b? got together in Wanganui, and should put ilp a great game when they meat Auckland next Saturday. -■;' ■:-• The hockey season is just about over, the five-asside tournament which conclud«3 the season, will take place the first Saturday after the return of the representative-team. frqml>Auckland. No :dbiibt-Kockey has prospered in Wanga- :. mii during the present season. The en'thusiasm; shown by players, gives Jpro-

- hiise that hockey will coiitiiaue to grow, and next season we may rest nsu^ed. vi?jll r be a record one. The standard of the "game 3a Wanganui vis very high ; ; and xm an even footiiig, with the best \ teams in the Dominion. I :-. -.•; ■^■■•i

No- doubt the

talk this week will

b^ about the shield match at Auckland. Who will win?, It will be a great eftm^, and should drawn a lars;> atteudjinc<». For the present we wish our boys "Gdod Luck." : ' .;.-.