HOCKEY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 153, 30 June 1934, Page 6

HOCKEY

NOTES AND COMMENTS (By “STICKS.”) Owing to the lateness in starting some cf the games last Saturday one of the senior games was prolonged until an unduly late hour which resulted in it being played in semi-dark-ness. It is essential that the games set down for 2 p.m. should commence punctually at that hour or the time of the game be reduced by as much as the teams are late. It is suggested that the early games be set down for 1.45 p.m. until the days lengthen somewhat. This would give the teams at least 15 minutes’ grace, but should a team be not prepared to commence at 2 p.m. the umpire should be empowered to award the game to the opposing side. If neither team is prepared to p l ay a forfeit should be recorded against each team. It is noticed that the side-lines, etc., are becoming overgrown with grass in some places. Owing to the mildness of the weather the grass and weeds have made rapid growth on grounds 4 and 5, but it is understood this is being given attention this week. Taken on the whole the grounds were in fairly good order. In the case of men’s games the stick must not exceed 28 ounces in weight and shall be of such a size (inclusive of any surgical binding) that can be passed through a ring' with an interior diameter of two inches. In connection with the above it is noticed that some players have the now obsolete rubber ring on their sticks and these must be discarded if the above-quoted portion of the sticks rule is to be complied with. Ladies are still allowed this privilege, however. “Barging” and wild hitting is frequently indulged in when there is keen rivalry or the teams are not particularly friendly and umpires cannot. be too firm at the beginning of the game to put down any tendency in this direction, otherwise it will resolve itself into a regular ‘‘Donnybrook.” Players soon recognise a slack umpire and they are ever ready to take full advantage of his weaknesses. Striking at sticks and forcibly raising an opponent’s stick ■when he is about to play the ball is again becoming prominent and for the benefit of | umpires and players alike some comment by a prominent critic should not I be out of place. A stick hooked must be within striking distance of the ball. Now when a player is about to strike at the ball an opponent may only place, his sue underneath the striker’s in such a mariner that the stick will pass over the ball and miss it. The striker s stick may not be forced upwards as this constitutes “holding”; nor may the tackler strike it upwards Ho is onlv allowed to place his stick below the" striker’s stick, and, by pouching it, cause it to be deflected sufficiently to miss the ball. Far too much force is sometimes employed than is necessary to cause an opponent to miss the ball by hitting at his stick and flowing it down with such force that it is forced, from his grasp. Throughout this season the Umpires Association has experienced great difficulty in securing sufficient umpires for Saturday’s matches. It has been necessary to call on senior playeis to help out each week, but even with this assistance numerous complaints have been received of games not com mencing to time owing to the shortage of referees. The various clubs could assist materially if each could induce one member from their suppoiters to take up umpiring The Umpires’ Association would welcome recruits and would assist in instruction in both theory and practice.