HOCKEY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1307, 13 May 1915, Page 20

HOCKEY.

The final general practices prior to the commencement of the championship fixtures eventuated last Saturday afternoon. Fine weather prevailed. and although the grass was a trifle long conditions were generally favourable. The grounds did not seem so severely taxed as on previous Saturdays, nevertheless more plavers were assembled. The hanny state of affairs was due to the wisdom of the Association in using the grounds system at’ call v. thereby giving each team an opportunity of practising under match conditions. There is not. the shadow of doubt that +he ground at Remuera has been cons’derablv improved since last season, and when all work is completed there should be little complaint concerning the state of the turf. Unfortunately, a considerable portion of the area has not had sufficient time for the preparation *o be properly devei.oned. and unless the weather is fine would suffer considerably if any games are plaved uoon it. Areta had another big muster, and it is a treat to chronicle the enthusiasm disnlaved by its members. Besides giving the members practice, the officials of the club had another mission to perform, and that was the selecting of teams for next Sa+urday. The senior eleven was practically decided. with one exception, and the position in the balance is the left wing. The two candidates for the position are Doble and White. The rest of the team consists of: Goal, Bandon; full-backs. Ellison and England; halves, Richards, Sims and Stainton; forwards. Preston, Mogin ie, Whittaker and Thomas. Sims haili from, Cambridge and was given a trial in a representative practice match at Remuera last season.

On the whole Areta showed good form, and it will not be a surprise to see them performing prominently in the championship fixtures again. The forward line worked excellently, Moginie and Preston being conspicuous. The former still has a tendency to one-hand play, and Preston wandered in occasionally. Whittaker and Thomas showed some cohesion, and a goal by the latter was a sample of how players can work together. England and Ellison appear to be as safe as ever.

Ponsonby and Mt. Eden are evidently partial of one another, as they again practised together. The former’s front line were more scientific than that of Eden, but the dash of the latter almost compensated. Fletcher, of Wellington, should prove a valuable acquisition to Mt. Eden. One shot in particular, although it did not materialise, was a centre forward effort par excellence, and brought back memories of the shots in the early days. Still there were many indifferent shots to be over confident of a great discovery so early in the season, but there are hopes. King, full-back for Mt. Eden, did some good work, but did too much chasing the ball into the opponents’ territory. Johns (half) is more of a dashing order than scientific, but when he is after the ball something has to shift. Little, late of North Shore, should prove a useful member, but was inclined to “knock on.” Manning was dashing enough, but wants to establish an understanding with Malcolm and Fletcher.

Osborne did a lot of splendid work in the field; it was ideal at times, but in the circle he' is not quite the “handy man.” A tonic he requires in the circle is “abandon.”

A full-back that was doing some good defensive work and hitting was Mills, and he seemed quite at home in the position, but it was hardly the right place for a half-back to obtan decent practice. Snedden achieved no small measure of success as link between Kirk and Osborne, but the opposite side was not nearly so strong. Simpson, at half-back, was feeble in hitting, but the want of condition told the tale. Auckland had ho muster of reputation players; nevertheless they seemed keen and enthusiastic. Baker made his first appearance, and notwithstanding that the company was not altogether first-class rendered some of his. artistic touches, and intends preparing for a very* busy year. C. Richards, brother of the secretary of the Auckland Hockey Association, is showing fine form for his club at Invercargill. The Otago Hockey Association commence the competition matches next Saturday, May 15th. Six teams will take part in the senior competition. An impression prevails in Dunedin that Auckland is in possession of the New Zealand Hockey Challenge Shield. Anyway, that was the idea ga ned at the meeting of the Otago Hockey Association, and it appeared as if Auckland wanted to hold the shield for another twelve months without competition. Unfortunately for Auckland they do not hold the shield, as Wellington captured it towards the end of last season.

Great interest prevails in hockey circles in Invercargill, and despite the war the outlook is most promising for a successful season.

The Poverty Bay Hockey Association is in a splendid position financially, having a credit balance of £26. Many complaints were made concerning the ground at the annual meeting, although the association had paid the Council £35 last year. Mr. D. J. Barry is president of the Poverty Bay Hockey Association. Two Wanganui hockey players, Messrs. G. Barton and T. Long, have keen recommended as officers in the Imperial Army. The Wanganui Borough Council has promised the Association three grounds on Laird Park for this season.

A promising forward in Wellington this year is Webley. W. H. Coltman, wounded in Turkey, played left wing for Areta last year. The new secretary of the Otago Hockey Association is Mr. J. Hogg, and the position could not be in better hands, according to the opinions expressed at the annual meeting. Auckland is also fortunate in having an energetic secretary. Hockey still continues to grow in the country, and word comes that another club is forming in the Bay of Plenty district.

Jacobsen, who played for Ponsonby a couple of seasons ago, is considered the best full-back in Wellington this year.