WANGANUI HOCKEY

Wanganui Chronicle, 24 June 1948, Page 8

WANGANUI HOCKEY

NOTES AND COMMENTS AUSTRALIA V. WANGANUI.

Eight weeks from today, Wanganui will be called upon to Held a hockev team to play Australia on Cook's Gardens. What has been done about it? Well, the three selectors of the Wanganui team have been on the job watching closely the club games held every Saturday at Gonville Domain They have picked out two teams of probables and possibles and they are planning to have a representative match against Feilding on July 3. Is this enough? Well, 1 don't think so. The association should be considering this fixture far more seriously than they are. After all, the future of hockey in this area for the next few years will depend on the success or otherwise of the match on August 19. First of all, the names of the probables and possibles should be published. Then they should get down to both serious training and solid practice (but not after club matches). And finally they should be pitted against other provincial teams to weed out weaknesses and strengthen combination. While it may temporarily weaken the present club competition, it will give in this city the name of hockey (and the clubs themselves eventually) a real boost that will further the interests of the code here for many years to come. It is to be hoped then, that those lesponsible will knuckle down to tne job and make of it a real suc-

Hockey in th, Schools. Has anyone recently approached the schools in Wanganui who do not play hockey regarding taking up the code? If not, then they are starving the game of future players. Foster boys’ hockey in both the primary and secondary schools and you can be assured of full eluos in the years that lie ahead.

Did You Know? When taking a bully, the following points must be observed: (1) The players’ taking the bully must stand square; (2) all other players must keep five yards away from the ball; (3) the flat sides of the sticks must touch three times over the top of the ball before the ball is touched. Watch it next Saturday. Correspondent Picks Rep. Team. Following upon “Keen Supporter’s” letter of last week here comes another—this time from a correspondent named “Sideliner." Like his predecessor, “Sideliner” has also picked a representative team. “Sideliner'' writes:— Sir, —On seeing your notes about a captain changing his team, well that stands for selecting also. The two previous unofficial selectors have not taken this point to full advantage. This is my team (commencing with the left wing): B. Hughes, A- Borich, N. Mclntyre, J. G. Keats, W. Spicer, K. Moodie, D. Cate, M. Goldsbury, R. Palmer. F. Smaller and P, Williamson. B. Hughes is fast, has pretty good ball control, and, if he uses his inside a little more, will have combining ability as well. His only fault is not having quite enough evasive tactics. A. Borich has improved greatly, back tackles well, and is dangerous in the circle. Because we lack good forwards, I have brought in as centreforward, N. Mclntyre, who usually plays centre-half. He has beautiful stickwork, great scoring ability, and would be a great leader to the forward line. J. G. Keats has the art of combing speed and good stick work W. Spicer has an excellent knowledge of the game, speed and evasive actions. K. Moodie is a half who has no equal in Wanganui. He has quite a number of tactics up his sleeve, as opposing wings well know. D. Cate has improved immensely. He is worth this position of centre-half, uses strategy when placing the ball, has good ball control and positional play, and never seems to be ruffled. M. Goldsbury has no equal in the competition for unwearying play, and although he has been playing full-back and forward this season, I believe he would make an excellent half. R. Palmer and F. Smaller are our safest full-backs. Either of them could give justice to the right position because of their knowledge of the game. The fullbacks are a hard position to pick-as there are several others with few merits between them. P. Williamson is undoubtedly the best goalie we have at present, but he could improve as he is not up to last year’s standard. For reserves I have chosen: •L. Cave, C. Hughes and H. Dyson. “Sideliner."