HOCKEY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10367, 17 June 1901, Page 1

HOCKEY.

NOTES BY "UMPIRE."

A match was played on the Racecourse last Thursday afternoon between teams picked by the captain (Goss) and the secretary (Bell), and the "whites" came off victorious by. s goals to 1. In the absence of the captain of the "reds," Larking had - charge of this team. "- Willis Avhites) and Larking (reds) bullied off. The reds were soon in difficulties, and after a smart bit of passing between Ryan, Bell, and Perrett, the later scored. After this the ball was up and down the field, and at the call of half-time the whites had placed 3 more goals to their credit. The reds had a certain amount of hard luck, having three or four shots at goal, but failed to score, the ball on one occasion striking the cross-bar. At the beginning of the second spell the ball was confined to tho reds' tvontyfive, when another goal was scored against them. Larking then rallied his team, and after a considerable amount of Opposition, the whites scored their first and only goal. It was impossible to say who was responsible for the goal, as it was shot out from a confused mass of humanity. Up to the call of time the ball travelled up and down the field without any further score being registered. For the winners, Bell, Parker, Malone, Harvey (2), Ryan, and Perrett played a good game. Wilson mode a splendid goal-keeper, once jumping up and catching the ball, thereby stopping a certain goal. For the losers, Chapman, CaTrell, Larking (2), Loftus, Olhvcr, and Carey showed up conspicuously. D. Howe had charge of the whistle, and as Mb decisions were never questioned, . tho players were evidently satisfied. "Umpire" respectfully suggests that he should keep more in touch with the -ball, as at times he was- too far down the field to judge accurately. The absence of the usual "chuffing" was ono of the best features of the game. There sre voiy fe^ic men. who have not some sort of recollection of the old game of "shinty," the total outfit being a crooked stick (a good gorso ono for

preference) and a jam tin, and Hie' duly rules bearing on the game being to crack a man on the shins if he obstructed or played "off side," this boing a gentle reminder not to offend again. Such was the old gamo of "shinty." There is a distinction, with a yaSt deal of difference, between this old game afld tile modern hockey. Like noarly all out-d36r ganleS, there is a certain element of danger, but by strict observance of the" rules this can be reduced to a minimum. . , On the Ilaeecdurse on Thursday last the game at times was -too much like "shinty!:' Hard-hitting ("bashing," as fcoine of. "the players called being indulged in wh'en quite unnecessary. These tactics should be put down with a firm hand. . . Players, in the forward ranks shonld acquire, the art of passing, and play with a little" more combination. It will -then be found that short, sharp wrist strokes are -more effective and. useful than hard hitting. • Players have certain positions allotted to them, and should as near as possibel keep in their "places. When the ball is being tackled hard in the centre the wing forwards should keop well out and up the field, so that when a ball comes out they arc in a position to tf>fcf it from the backs or inside fdrwiird. Tliis would make the play more open, and avoid the scrambles which have been so much in .evidence.

Knocking the ball indiscriminately up and down the field will "not prevail against visiting teams who* play tho game with combination. . Players have a tendency ,to lose their heads when the boll gets inside the striking circle. This is accounted for by each player being desperately anxious to score, good chances of scoring being thrown, awnv just for the wani of passing the ball out and allowing some undefenccd player to "shoot" at goal.

The above suggestions are not made with the view of' fault-finding, but with the object of appealing to the true ■sporting instincts of the players. "Umpire" invites correspondence on matters bearing on tho rules, etc.