Hockey Seniors Win First Game

The general impression gained from the practice held at Northland Park on Saturday, 6th, was that Varsity, in both Senior and Junior, have excellent chances in the competition this year. With 70 to 80 players the committee has had to find sonic method of selection that will ensure fair appraisal of each player. To this end they have enlisted the "Two Georges." Junior grades. George Stacey; and the Senior selector. George Shaw, both old members, Further in this connection, the committee would impress on all players that they have the right at any time to interview the selector regarding promotion to a higher grade.

The Junior play on Saturday showed some promising players, but was characterised by wild, dervish-like rushes and milling. 1 would point out to young players that speed in hockey comes not from wild careering, but rather from quick interchange of the ball between players. Make your game more deliberate. Watch your position, and play in it.

The Senior Game.—George Shaw's task is not easy, but I feel that the A team will not be a revolutionary one, and that the majority will be members from last year. The necessity of deliberation before playing the ball applies also to players in this grade. Saturday's efforts were complicated by long grass and rain, but it is more necessary under such conditions to play calculated shots.

As a final note: this applies to both grades but more so to the lower grades. The supplies of halves in Wellington is very limited, and those unable to make high grades in their usual position would be well advised to learn this position.

Saturday 13th. Another practice was held. Criticism is hardly fair so early, but the competition begins on 27th. . . . Remarks are confined to the forwards. At present they are playing into the full back's hands. A straight forward line giving hard long passes are things a full back dreams of. Short diagonal passes near the circle, and a better method of changing play in mid-field are needed. Towns and King, both representative players, should cease busting tactics which confuse their halves.

The teams have not been finally selected yet. The choice of senior team will be further complicated on the arrival of Harry Scott. Ted Breech. Roy Ormond and Graham Speight. It seems that the social team will be pretty strong this year as a result.

Saturday, 27th: Out of six games Varsity had five wins.

Senior Firsts: Varsity v Wellington: by Varsity 2-1. Victoria though having by far the better of the game were unlucky in their shots at goal and were opposed by an excellent goalkeeper. Halves and forwards played very well, stopping of balls being incredibly good at times. Fullbacks and goalkeepers lacked mutual understating, and it was, this weakness rather than Wellington's strength that was responsible for penetration. Goals: Penalty bully, Ivor Ting; penalty corner. Win Smlier.

Senior 2nd's: v Wellington, lost 3-4. The game showed some fine forward play with a good understanding between forwards even so early in the season. The game was lost mainly through the faulty positional play of the fullbacks—over-keen they were apt to wander out of position. Speculating among halves and fullbacks especially on the left was also obvious.

Social Team: Win by default.

Third Grade. 1st Div.: Lost to Training College 3-2. I am told tin-game was scrappy and both sides lacked any unified in-field team-Work.

Third Grade. 2nd Div.: v Wellington—won 5-1.

Fifth Grade. v Wellington Coll.—won 5-0.

Note:—Thursday evening practice 7-45 gymn.