HOCKEY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 106, 6 May 1936, Page 4

HOCKEY

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"STICKS.")

The Wanganui Hoekey Association officially launched its 1936 season on Gonville Park last Saturday. Boisterous weather affected the at' tendance of players and supporters and only two competition games were played. The ladies’ fixtures were postponed until next Saturday. 3he postponement committee had no option in the matter. Those associated with it required to make a decision shortly before 2 o’clock in the afternoon, when weather conditions were at their worst. Owing to Old Boys being unable to field a full team for their fixture against Y.M.C.A., the only senior game played was the Wesley v. Hinemoa contest which resulted in a win for Wesley by live goals to four. The Technical A V. Technical B fixture in the B grade series was not played and the onlv junior fixture decided on Saturday was the Katana v Technical C which resulted in a win for Katana by two goals to nil. Old Boys’ inability to field a team was a disappointment. Last year this club had a strong combination of keen players and emerged from the , 1935 series of competitions with the highest points and the cup donate*! for the men’s senior section. On Saturday only six Old Bojs players were avail able. Boisterous weather may have been partly responsible, but it is under stood that* the club has been experiencing difficulty in obtaining a full team It will be a great disappointment to hockey enthusiasts in Wanganui if last year’s leading club cannot compete this season. Should this eventuate only three men’s teams will be available for the senior section. Much of the competition spirit will be lost and only one senior game will be played each Saturday. Popular belief has it, however, that in the near future Old Boys will be able to , field a complete team, though whether last year’s talent will be available in its full strength is another matter. Hockey enthusiasts fervently hope that Old Boys will again be up to last year’s strength. Senior teams available for play last Saturday were Wesley, Hinemoa and Y.M.C.A. Y.M.C.A. players were dis appointed when they found that a game with Old Boys, as scheduled, would not be possible. This club seems a likely combination and some good players were ready to wear the Y.M.C.A. colours on Saturday. Last year the team played good hockey and was a factor to be reckoned with in all competition fixtures. Several nf last year’s players are taking the field this season, but like all other teams in the men’s senior section some new players will be participating in the competitions. Following the Wesley-Hinemoa match on Saturday a scratch team was arranged to meet Y.M.C.A. in a friendly game. A cosmopolitan selection faced Y.M.C.A., but tho match was good practice. Apart from the inclement weather and circumstances not encouraging for the opening of the hockey season in Wanganui, two unfortunate accidents occurred. In the Hinemoa Wesley encounter two of Hinemoa’s best players were compelled to leave the field with rather severe injuries. R. Chisholm, an ardent Hinemoa supporter and secretary of the Wanganui Hockey Association, received nose injuries which necessitated his removal to hospital. It is hardly likely that Chisholm will be available for play next .Saturday and his services will be missed. Chisholm has done much to help his club and the association. He should uot be indisposed for any lengthy period, however. J. Breed, the other Hinemoa player who had to leave the field, received an injury to one of his knees, but should be on deck again next Saturday. Technical College is providing three teams for the men’s B grade section this season. They will be known as Technical A, B and C respectively. The only other team in the men’s junior division will be Katana, which' very sportingly journeyed to Gonville Park last {Saturday in spite of the weather. After a good encounter, Ratana defeated Technical C by two goals to nil. Play was of a rather indifferent standard, but the general rawness of players was inevitable so early in the season. No real opinion of the relative strengths of the sides could be formed on the day’s showing, it being too early to judge with any degree of finality. Actually, there was not a great deal of difference between the two teams last Saturday. Technical showed more finish to its movements, but Ratana had the weight and perseverance. It was apparent, however, * that these teams showed good promise for tho future. Although ragged in places, .Saturday’s junior game was worth watching. On future Saturdays it is hoped to stage two junior games. One Technical side will engage Ratana, while the other two will be matched. Although provided by Technical College, each Technical side is a separate unit endeavouring to gain a place on the competition ladder. Last year Hinemoa supplied a B grade team. It contained many promising players and this season several of them have been deservedly promoted to A grade. Hinemoa will not have a B team this year. The game between Hinemoa and Wesley was fairly even and for so early in the season was of a comparatively high standard. If anything, the balance of play was in Wesley’s favour, as is indicated by the score. Both teams played a full line of forwards, but were one man short in the backs. This caused a good deal of offside play, which was due mainly to players being over-keen. Busby, who played centre forward for Wesley and made his first appearance on Saturday, appears to be an acquisition. Hp combined well with Thrush and Tizard and these three players w'ere responsible for Wesley’s score. Hinemoa put a fairly strong team on the field, but was unfortunate in losing two of its best players. That old veteran of hockey in Wanganui, A. Atkins, went to the assistance of Hinemoa during the second half.