Notes.

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 424, 11 July 1905, Page 2

Notes.

(By « Shoot ")

Interest in hockey latt week oatcr«Uv centred in the meeting of the twr oldest clubs—Pioneers and Old Boys. The latter won comfortably enough in the second spell, but they had an anxious time in the first, which witnessed repeated Pioneer' Attacks -attacks which promised so much and accomplished so little, because there wasn't a shooting man in the forward line. In this speM the.-;.Pioneer-* backs played splendidly, the exhibition given by the half line being mainly responsible for the investment of the Old Boys' twenty-fivee. Bight through this spell the Yellow backs put up a fine defence, but tb» forwards never got going. „ Play in the second half wai* linage reversal of form, for the Old Boys, combining well, had the game in band from tho resumption. Only on twoocoaeione were the Pioneers dangerous, Mid then the attacks fizzled out because of. irresolution in the circle. f" "■ Stevenson, Cameron, and Short wei» the best of the Pioneer backs. Th* others played well in the first spell, bufc fell away in the second. Of an uneven forward line,- Scott and Skelley were the pick. ■ ' ■■ ■'■ - ■:■ ■'«-,.*, ■ ■ ,

All of the Old Boys' forwards worked well in the second half, and it would be unfair to single any out for special mention. Walkley, JK. Drew, and B. Frwer were the mainstays of the back division. Successive defeats fail to damp she ardour of the V.M.0.A., who ;week after week come up smiling fore* fretb gruelling. They're an enthusTasHoVlol of sports, and certainly deserve a at&ile of the fickle goddess. ThY :weakne«7 of the team at present is the halfback line. The forwards have the dash and stamina, necessary for an insistent attack, but they are not served intelligently by the halves, whose hitting generally lacks direction. In a lesser degree thi» remark also applies to the full backs. When the rearguard substitute v, feeding" tactios for indiscriminate biffing, and the skipper speaks severely to the man who speculates, the red and bluei will be top dog occasionally. Although playing a man short. Awapuniwere too good for the team men-' tioned in the foregoing homily. Th* backs were very safe, and the forward* particularly Jim Slack, pnfc in a lot of solid work. H. Sorensen i« one of the best fielding backs in the competition.

The; following will represent ft, PboennrHockey Club against fcM.C.A. on Wednesday next:—Lircomb, Goff, Tucker, Ekstadt, Liswtaan, Thynne bimpson, Hodgins, Watchorn, Taskerl McGregor.