HOCKEY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18534, 17 July 1922, Page 6

HOCKEY.

SATURDAY’S GAMES. The Junior match on Saturday resulted in a draw, three all. Kia Tea's scores were made by Hay, Mailman and Hovey; and Dowling, Harkness and Smith scored for Technical Old Boys. There was only one senior game —Hindmoa v. Kia Toa— and Hinemoa won by two goals to one, a.fter a good fast game. Kia Toa were the first to score.

In the other senior fixture —R.S.A v. Phoenix—,R.S A. forfeited.

THE WANGANUI-TARANAKI MATCH.

Commenting on the recent contest tor the Norden Cup, tor which the scores were two all, the Hawera Star indulges in some mild home truths regarding the hitting, the combination and the style of play. It is very likely that tie criticism was justified. It is quite certain that Wanganui were unlucky in not winning the cup, for they had very much the better of the second spell. The Star says:

“The match between Taranaki ane Wanganui for the Norden Cup. played on King Edward Park grounds on Wednesday, was not productive of very brilliant hockey; in fact, it was by no means up to representative standard. Slogging the ball without any definite plan is not hockey, and one-man efforts are not hockey. The game consisted main, ty of haro hitting, but combination was poor on both sides. Taranaki’s goalkeeper and the two full-backs played a fairly sate game, but the halves were poor and often out of position. The forwards may best be described as live very fair individual players, but lacking in combination That the game ended in a draw was lucky tor Taranaki, and Wanganui narrowly missed capturing the Norden Cup. "If the local players are going to defend the trophy successfully they will have to become faj- more united in their play and reach a belter understanding regarding their plan of action. Against a really strong irepreSentatKe team—.and no >doubt such a team will be met before the season is over—the type of game played by Taranaki' on Wednesday w'ould be quite ineffective.. The writer has always held that hockey is more than anything else a game ot position. Given two teams of equally fit players, one may safely say that the side which keeps in proper positon, works as a team and not as eleven separate an,d distinct units, must defeSit those who think that hard hitting, anywhere and everywhere, will prove successful. It is not necessary to bang the ball wildly about; it is, indeed, an entirely wrong method. Every hit should have its purpose, and should not only be properly (directed, but the speed of the propulsion should be gauged by the player. To drive the ball straight down the field for 50 or 60 yards is really giving one of the opposing backs of a gooji team a free hit.

“Taranaki’s team is fit as far as running and lasting powers are concerned, but it is very weak in combination and team work, and on Wednesday’s showing a lot of combined practice will be necessary if the several challenge matches which are to take place this season are to be won and the honour of holding the Norden Cup is to be retained by our representatives.” FEILDING HOCKEY ASSOCIATION. NORTH v. SOUTH. In the ladies’ match on SaturdaySouth won by 3 goals to 0. It was an even game, although the North forwards failed to follow the ball in the circle and lost several chances. South scored two goals in the first spell, and although North played better they could not penetrate the defence, and South added another goal.

In the men’s game South won by 7 goals to 1, and had all the best of tho game.