HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 184, 3 August 1908, Page 6

HOCKEY.

MANAWATU V. AUCKLAND. AN EXCITING GAME. The interprovinclal hockey match Mana>tatu v. AucLiaiju, pluyeii at the Polo Ground, Reniuera, this afternoon, attracted a great deal of attention. It has long been known that this would prove the hardest game of the season, aud an exciting contest was anticipated. Spectators were not dis appointed, and a really strenuous struggle was witnessed. Favoured with glorious sunshine, aud ground in first-class condition, it Is difficult to conceive more ideal conditions for this growingly popular game. The playing space was roped off, which obviated any crowding on to the ground. No less than 2000 spectators were present, and the great est interest in the game was manifested. Play throughout was characterised by very hard hitting. The visitors were considerably less in avoirdupois than the home team, but they showed some excellent form, hitting with great judgmeut and stopping well. The home backs, Speight and Shirriffs, and the goalkeeper, Howell, were mainly respousible for the visitors not scoring more goals. Mr. E). Madden refereed the game in his usual efficient manner. During the afternoon tho ladies' committee provided all players and visitors with afternoou tea, doing yeoman service In tending to the comfort of all. The following are the teams:— Manawatu team (colours, green and white).—Goal, E. Forsaith; full-backs, J. Walkley, Pretty Kerslake; half-backs, H. Sorensen, 11. McGregor, D. Simmonds; for wards. Stevenson. W. Crump. R. Fraser (captain), R. Waldegrave, A. Webb. Auckland team (colours, blue and white! —Goal, C. W. Howell; full-backs, F S Shirriffs (captain). H. D. Speight; halfbacks, J. C. Badham. D. K. Porter, V. C. Kavanagh; forwards, N. R. Jacobson, K. B. Young, F. K. Mason, R. W. Barry, W. Brooke-Smith. From the bully-off the visitors secured the ball, and rushed it into the home 25, where from a scramble Fraser nearly succeeded in finding the net, but Speight interposed and sent out. lfroni the throw in, Auckland carried the ball well down the field, and n desperate rush resulted in Brooke-Smith finding the net: Auckland ] Manawatu 0 The visitors returned to the attack hotly, but Shirriffs, stopping well, sent the ball to half-way. Resuming the attack, McGregor, Tait, and Waldegrave, in a passing run made the pace very lively; but Badham ran to the rescue, and scut to midfleld. Another rush saw the ball over the line near Auek land's goal, a corner resulting The visitor* made a fine effort, which was nullified by off-side play, and the ball shortly after again hung round the visitors' goal. Fraser Wai deprave, and Webb carried the ball to the v enemy s territory, whore SMrrlffs proved a stumbling block, and, after a lot of give and take play in mldfield. the visitors pressed hard, and Webb found the net, thus equalising: Auckland 1 Manawatu 1 A fine drive by Shirriffs took play to the visitors' 25, where a good deal of congested play took place. Kerslake stemmed an Auckland onslaught. Brooke-Smith and Mason bombarded the goal, bu l . Forsaitb stopped well, and a line hit resulted Free stirk play by Kavanagh brought play to the circle. Waldegrave spoilt Shirriff's return, and play hung In Auckland's half. A lilg hit by Fraser sent tho ball out in Auckland's circle. Stephenson stopped an Auckland «u----slausut. driving oul close to Auckland's line. A free hit relieved Auckland from a danger ous position. Kerslake stopped a rush" by Auckland, "Walklcy returning the attack. Mason. Young, and Jacobson carried play to the visitors' 2T>, Stophenson saving well. Some fine passing by Waldegrave, Fraser. and Webb nearly resulted in a score, but Kavanagh saved, sendinc well to midfleld. A fine pass by Barry gave a flne opportunity, but Kerslake saved a line hit. Webb iind Waldegrave took play right to Auckland's goal, where a Qne hit by WcliTi was well stopped hy nowoll. Passing between Waldegrave and McGregor put Auckland on tho defensive. Howell clearing a hot shot wlht a line hit. AuekInnt] tlion stormod tlio odcdiv's citjidel, Kavanagh nnd Walkley exchanging. A fine plow of work by Porter compelled Manawatu to i-onco'lo n corner. Sticks gave Manawntu a free hit. but they pained HttJe ndvantnge. Bodham nnd Porter returning to the visitors' 25. Yonng crossed Mason In a hot attack, nnd spoilt a fine chance. Mason dribbled from the bully at 25, and scored Auckland's second goal: Auckland 2 Manawatu 1 A few minutes after the whistle blew, leaving the scores:— Auckland 2 Manawatu 1 In the second spell, Mauawatu were first away from the bully. Mason and Porter took the ball Into the visitors' circle, Manawatu saving by hitting across the line. A free hit for "sticks" relieved Manawatu at a crucial moment. Crump broke away, and Speight interveued In the ulck of time, sending Uie ball to midfleld, where a lot of open play followed. Simmonds curried the ball to midfleld, and reinforced by [ Sorensou and McGregor, a remarkably I rush was uuHitied by Auckland's goalkeeper I (Howell), who removed the danger, passing; to Speight to Rodham to Kavanagh, who, cleared with a line hit. From a bully near; Auckland's circle. Howell was again called i upon to defend the net, which he did in line I style, semnng toe ball out at half-way. From j ihe throw m. cue Auckland vanguard carried I the ball well down the lield, and a score ! seemed imminent, when Kerslake Inter-1 posed smartly, a corner resulting. Brooke-! Smith broke away and carried the ball ! three parts of the field, beating one man after another. Walkley came at a grcui pace and spoilt the chance. The ball travelled rapidly up the field, aud the goalkeeper, apparently thinking It would go past the post, let it go. Barry rushed. !u, saved, and centred, and Young scored: Auckland 3 Manawatu 1 The Manawatu vanguard broke away, Howell speculated and missed. Speight rushed in and saved by inches, Badham, playing a brilliant game, repeatedly saved tho situation. Young made a fine spurt aiid passed to Mason, who skied over The bar. From a scramble in Auckland's 25, Frasor scored Manawatu's second goal with a fine hit: ' Auckland 3 Manawatu 2 Auckland then put all their energies Into the work. The ball travelled rapidly up the field, and from a good centre by Jacobson, Barry found the net: Auckland 4 Manawatu 2 Mason relieved a congested attack with a magnificent hit, sending the ball the full length of the field. Manawatu returned hotly to the attack, and a determined rush resulted In Fraser again hitting thrrngh: Auckland 4 Manawatu 3 THE VISITORS ENTERTAINED. After the match, victors and vanquished adjourned to the Savoy Cafe, where the visitors were entertained to a dinner, at which Mr Coleman (President Auckland Hockey was provided, after which the evening was devoted to harmony. Songs were sung by Messrs Rees George, Stephenson, and Smith. The following toasts were honoured during the evening:—"The King," "The Manawatu Boys," "The President," "The Referee," "The Ladies," and "The Press." JUNIOR MATCHES. The junior competitions were continued. St. George's beat Epsom by two goals to one. V.M.C.A. beat North Shore by four goals to one. AUCKLAND V. ELLERSLIE. In the junior matches, Auckland gave Ellorslie a surprise, a drawn game resulting, each side scoring a goal. Only iv the latter stages of the game were Ellerslie able to equalise. PONSONBY V. 'VARSITY. Ponsonby won from 'Varsity by three goals to nil, after a hard and fast game. THAMES V. WAIKATO. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) THAMES, this day. Thames defeated Waikato by five goal 3 to one. The game was well contested, and the play good.