HOCKEY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2535, 23 June 1909, Page 2

HOCKEY.

(By “Circle.”) Hockey players have been extremely fortunate in tegard to the weather so far this season, and have- had, almost without exception, ideal conditions. The slight rain of last Thursday prior to the matches made the ground somewhat slippery, and but for this a much better game would have been witnessed between City and Kia Kaha. As it was there was a noticeable improvement in both teams since, their last meeting. City played their best game so far, and seem to improve every match. ■ The forwards, apparently, gaye effect to my suggestions of last week to pass aoross-field more, instead of hitting hard down-field, and also played “on-side.” In fact, both teams seemed to endeavor to prevent off-side play, and I only noticed four instances during the whole game where the referee had to penalise players for this offence. This cannot be said of the players in the West End-Civil Service match, and I was particularly sorry to see West End as the worst offenders, as I had noticed in several of the?r previous games what appeared to be an effort to keep on-side. There were at least two goals more they' would havo. registered but for this” easilyremedied bad play. I hope all offenders against tho off-side rule will take a lesson, and realise the necessity of keeping on-side. It was most annoying to see a good piece of concerted play by hacks and forwards utterly spoilt simply by some over-anxious player neglecting to take, tho precautiolita keep on-side. With an active referee it is almost impossible for such a player to escape observation. Reverting to the City-Kia Ivaha match, I must admit that the Kias were off-color. There seemed to be no confidence or combination amongst them, excepting occasional periods between tho forwards. Taking into consideration the past performances of this club and the merits of tho players individually, it is hard to account for the display they have so far given this season. The main weakness lies in the back division, as the forwards gavo the City backs some anxious moments, yet could not find the net. Of the City team, Armstrong played splendidly, and got his team out of many a tight corner. Bull and Fox showed up prominently also, their powerful hits to the line being of much service, and Grinlinton, Day, and Ccekerill played well together in the forward division. Garrett and Maclean were the only safe, ones of Kia Kaha’s backs, and Grant and Pollock of tho forwards. The wings of this team were very weak, in fact the wing players of all clubs are weak this year. They would do much better if they kept further out, instead of crowding into the centre of the field, which is not their place. As was expected, West End had an easy victory over Civil Service. The latter club lias members who should become capable players, but the lack of experience and knowledge of the game is a severe handicap to them. Payne (their captain) plays very ’ hard for victory, and notched their only score on Thursday. No attempt, however, is made to get up passing or combination, and until this is practised, individual play, however good, will ho almost ineffective. West End gave a very good exhibition, ami but for the failing mentioned previously, should have left the field with a larger score. The state of No. 2 ground for hockey Alls for eom* attention. It is absolutely- impossible for the game to bo properly played as it -is, and I think the Association which pays a pretty good fee to the Rugby Union for the use‘of it, could reasonably ask for the ground to bo levelled up a bit. The popularity of the gafne has greatly increased this year all over the Dominion, and has justly earned for it tho title of ’‘the game that grows.” The increase is especially noticeable in the formation of ladies’ clubs, and it is pleasing to seo that in this part of the Dominion a new club has come into existence —viz., “The Patutahi. Ladies’ Club.” A team From this club played a match on. Thursday against the Gisborne . Club’s team on the only ground available —a rough paddock of the Borough Reserve opposite tho Domain, and were beaten by 2 goals to nil. , . „ . The need of more grounds for hockey matches is becoming more urgent, and I hope to see something done by the Borough Council to supply this need. With the advent of the Patutahi Clufi, one may ’expect to see clubs developing in other country districts, ami X am sure it would bo of much benefit

socially and physically to tho young ladies or mon if such were the case. I havo' Heard', that an effort is to be mado to stort tho game at Tologa Bay and trust it will succeed, as it-is well known what good sports the East Coast people'are. . Tlie Auckland Association expects to be able to send a clinking combination on tour this season, and it is almost certain, after promising tor tour years, they will visit Gisborne. As tney succeeded in beating all other representative teams last year,, and are holders of the Challenge Shield, the match between the. local men should provide an interesting game, and enable them to guage their strength. A conference of hockey referees is being held at Wanganui this week, and it is unfortunate the local Association could not send a delegate, as most of the Associations in the North and South Island are represented. Much good should result from the conference, and the ultimate formation of a .New Zealand Hockey Referees’ Association. The rules of tho game should now bo hotter understood and universally adopted by the respective Associations. The. following new rules, have . just been passed by tliei English Association, and will, no doubt, receive consideration and adoption by the conference: —•

i Penalty Bully.—ln all cases where a “penalty bully” is awarded everyone, except the two players participating, must be beyond the 25yds line, and if tho ball goes over the back lino or outside the circle, a “bully” on tho 25vds lino must be given. Penalty Corners.—lt was agreed that penalty corners must be taken on a point syds from- the nearest goalpost. ■ The following questions relating to the interpretation of rules were recently handed to the Auckland Association by one of the Auckland clubs. For the benefit of local players they are given herewith: (a) Ail attacker 'is standing syds from goalkeeper, and ahead of the three defending players necessary to.be on side. The ball is hit by another player of tho attacking side, the" ball is kicked by or rebounds off the goalkeeper; the first-named attacker then takes the ball. Is he off-side? Answer : No; the ball having been struck by a defender throws him on-side. Rule 11 says: No player . . shall be off-mde . . if the ball was last touched or hit by ono of his opponents (subject to the syds rule). (b) Can a player stand inside the syds line, he being syds from the player throwing in? Answer: No. The rule distinctly says no player shall stand (himself or his stick) inside the syds line. The only time when play is not stopped for an infringement Oi this rule is when a referee considers a player is standing inside the line to gain time. ,