INTERPROVINCIAL HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 167, 15 July 1907, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL HOCKEY.

OTAGO V. AUCKLAND.

The meeting of the representative* of tbe two provinces took place on tip no enthusiasm from spectators who braved the elements. The ground was ve-v soft isfaction. Messrs Begg lOt-i-m and t«~ sup (Auckland) were The llSe umpires' ti-a was dispensed by the !adMoore and Rybnrn stemmed the attack and Goodman, coming across, sent the sphere well clown the field, and set his forward took a hand in the attack with a "ucces^ sion of short quick passes, Rutherford an d Gower doing excellent work which tran" ferred pla.v to Auckland's 23 \ «„,; »% S? P-s^^B^n^sp^r/t.'c him. aWa Th P aSa i';;,.Var ( i K vl aila;rll St °9* d .'jwar. and Mather looked oangerous. but offside play brought relief A smart dash by Madill set the VwSS forwards going. SMrriffs interrupted and with a Jong shot sent the ball into the Otago 20. Goodman and Thomson stemwuh plenty of combination, and repeatedly got in some fine work, but did not seem to be able to make good use of their opportunities in the circle. Mason hit ta Poy><», who centred nicely, but Ryburn intercepted, and Calder and Cuttle got well away with some nice combined work, and Jiamil centring nicely. Otaso looked dangerous, but Tinsley saved well. Doyle. Mason, and Mather invaded their opponents territory, and a nice centre by the former looked bad for Otago. but Johnson, the ex-Thamesite, proved the obstacle Matner whipped the leather hack asain.' hut both Thomson and Goodman were in the way. and the latter hit to midfield. and the forwards carried play into the home team's 25. Speight and Shirriffs repelled the boarders, but Cuttle. Madill and Calder were away again, and Kavanagh found i-efuge In the line. From the roll in Barry and Doyle got away, and Mason had his first shot, which just missed the net. Auckland, by dashing forward play, kept up the pressure, and Barry almost scored, and then Mason nearly obtained the desired result. A determined rush by the Otago quintette was brilliantly stopped by ShirrifTs and Doyle. Goodman and Ryburu cleared their lines, and a strong attack of Otago was nipped in the bud by Porter. Rands and Doyle returned play to Otago's quarters, where Auckland obtained a corner, and Rand's shot went wide. Some fine passing by Madill. Calder. ;ind Rutherford shifted operations to Auckland's quarters, but Shirriffs hit out. A good shot by Calder was brilliantly saved by Kavauagh. Mason got away, hnt was unsupported, and Moore nullified the effort. A god hit by Porter was well intercepted by Goodman, but Rands, coming up quickly, spoiled the return and passPd across to Mather. Thomson got to the ball first, and the vauguard took up the attack, which was well turned by Shirriffs. Play then became more exciting, botn teams striving hard to score. Barry dribbled down the field, but was cleverly stopped by Johnson in his own 23. Madill and Rutherford, on the wings, made every effort to come round, hut the opposition was too strong. Doy'.e tried hard to stap a fast one from Barry going out, bnt it jnst beet him. iladill and Calder sot away from the line with a nice dribble/and. going through the Auckland defence, the former centred beautif-nlli-. Cnttle made a terrific slam at the ball, but it bounced, and he failed to get properly "n to it. Speight came through the ruck and cleared. Again Otngo carried play !nto Auckland's territory, bnt Tinsley saved splendidly. Shortly afterward "half-time was called without any score.

\fter the interval Otafro were first away. Cuttle. Colder and Rutherford getting amonc the Auckland backs. Spelsht came to the rescue with a big hit, and Mather and Mason removed play Into the visitors' The Auckland forwards made some Rood individual efforts, but Johnson and Goodman kept them at bay. Auckland were called upon to take the defensive, but Mason and Rands were instrumental in renewing the attack, and from a scramble in front of the goal Mason whipped the leather out to Mather, who had a clear shot, aiid banged the leather into the net. (Auckland 1. Otago nil.) This seemed to rouse the visitors, and Thomson. Madill, and Calder carried the leather into Auckland territory, but the attack was only temporary, as Shirriffs relieved immediately. Auckland renewed the onslaught, but the Otago hacks were playing a good defensive game. Johnson, and Then Moore, being conspicuous in clearing. Auckland were baring much the better of the game. Hard hitting by Barry spoilt one or two chances. Goodman started an invasion, and his forwards after a bout of passing got f-ell into Auckland's territory, and the ball seesawed across the home team circle, but again their weakness was apparent, as no cne seemed able to take the shot. At last Caldc-r had a hit, hut Kavanagh saved well. Madill sent the leather back, hut Porter stopped the onslaught, and a free hit brought relief to Auckland. Barry and Doyle transferred play into the Otago 20. where it remained for some time. Itoore was noticeable in clearing, and Rutherford and Gower carried play into the home circle. Brown spoiled their efforts, and Mason gaining possesion. got well away, only to see Goodman return. The Otago forwsrds took up the attack, hut were quickly again placed on the defensive by Shirriffs and Speight. A good run hy Bairy looked fruitful, but Rvburn stopped him. From a hit Doyle ce-atred beautifully and Mason, eventually scored, almost hitting the ball out of one of th? Otago backs fc.rnds. (Auckland 2. Otago nil.) Anckland kept up the pressure, and the forwards, with Mason and Mather in the van, bombarded the Otago citadel. Thomson and Johnson shifted the attack, and raider and Cuttle reversed the positions. Gowcr had hard lurk in not scoring. Tinslev saving splendidly. Rutherford stopped, 'and the ball went across the line. The Auckland forwards broke away, ant! Doyle centring hard. Barry just managed to turn the ball into the net. from a very awkv-ard position. (Auckland 3. Otago nil.) Auckland still kept up the pressure, and were again on the attack, but Kyburn and Moore stopped, and the latter set the forwards ia motion. Porter cleared, and just afterwards Pairriffs hit across the line from his own 25. Mason and Rand led a sally into the Southerners' goal, only to he stopped by White with one of his characteristic kicks. Otazo now took a hand in the attack: MadiU cpntrerl. then Rutherford and Cuttle dashing in scored for Ot;u:o. (Auckland 3. Otagrv l.i After a little give and take play the home team were again goal-bunting, and Mason getting into the circle, notched his second goal, which just fell under the bar. (Anckland 4. Otago l.i The visitors were first away from Uie bully, and assumed the offensive, but Porter stopped, and play was once more removed to the Otago half. The Aucldanders broke away, and were again after points, but White proved the stnmbling 51oc£. and -was compelled to give Auckland a corner. Another attack was well repulsed by Johnsnn. Mason and Doyle put in some fine work, but Moore jnst cleared, and Thomson was responsible in saving another likely chance of scoring. Time was called with play in Otago's half.