HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 16, 16 July 1910, Page 14

HOCKEY.

In a letter published in the "Weekly Press," an Auckland correspondent suggests that the referees controlling shield matches should be presented with a blazer or some other distinction in recognition of their services. The suggestion appears to be an excellent one, as it is only fair that the referee who gives up his Saturday afternoons for the benefit of the players, and not infrequently receives little but abuse for doing his best in the interest of the game, should be treated in at least an equal manner to the players. If they receive rep. caps, surely it -would not be out of the way to accord the referee some similar acknowledgment.

As a number of erroneous reports are afloat concerning the referees who have controlled shield matches played in Auckland, the following table will be interesting:—

1908. Jirly 4—JAuckland (3) v. Taranaki (1), Mr E. E. Madden. July 11—Auckland (2) v. Canterbury (1), Mr Robertson. August B—Auckland (3) v. Nelson. (0), Mt W. E. Robinson. August 22—Auckland (5) v. Thames (0), Mr E. E. Madden. September s—Auckland5 —Auckland (2) v. WeHiDgton (0), Mr W. E. Robinson. September 12—Auckland (9) T, iWanganui (1), Mr E. E. Madden. 1909. August 7—Auckland (4) v. Taranaki (1), Mr E. E. Madden. September 6—Auckland (2) tc Wellington (3), Mr E. Hay. The Auckland Hockey Association bold their annual "At Home" in the Choral Hall next Thursday, and it will be carried out on a most elaborate scale.

T,ftT>lES' NOTES. The final round of the ladies' cham-pion-ship was played last Saturday, and resulted in the position TDeing unaltered, Rangatira A for the second successive season annexing the championship. Tho following table gives the position of the various teams in the competitions:—■ n - I § * cj *j fc S .2 * I S 2 g g 6 •— i-? Q v O o Rangatira A l> o 0 5S 2 18 Arawa 8 1 0 (JO 1 10 Moana 7 -J. 0 20 11 J 4 Kopana t> 3 O 2S 9 12 Training College 5 4 0 21 13 10 Ivawhiti 4 5 0 12 2S S Unitarian 2 6 1 9 39 5 Kangatira B U 7 0 7 35 4 Ao-tea-roa 1 7 1 2 30 ;i Mokoia 0 9 0 U 02 0 Kangiitira A, as the result of good all-round hockey, have maintained their position at the head of aii'airs. Their cliampioufihip record of nine wins is one well to be proud of. Only two goals have been registered against them, by Moana, while they have 58 to their credit. Their greatest struggle was with Arawa, and notwithstanding that the game was greatly in tlieir favour,

it was not tintil the second, spell was -well advanced that the winning goal waa scored.

Arawa, runners-up, although a new team, are not exactly a new combination, for mose of them played for Rawhiti last season. Although not such a solid eleven as Eangatira they possess some sterling players, but there was not enough system in their play. Their record of goals beats the champions, and a continuance of play and careful methods must bring its reward.

It would be idle to suggest that lEoana were up to- the strength of former years. They Host their cap-tain early in the season, ai*d through illness and other causes did not have the services of several of last season's players.

Kopana, like their old rivals, have suffered the strain of many losses, yet have performed creditably. They have busied themselves recruiting, and their players show much , promise.

Training College have abundant reason to be satisfied with the result pf their debut into the hockey world. Thanks to some careful coaching and a good centre-half they sneeeeded in gaining fifth place in the -competition. Against Arawa and Moana they put up a couple of exceedingly good fights, and had their ranks not suffered, in the way of absentees, might have seenred farther honours.

Then follows Rawhiti, sixth on the list. This club received a great setback upon the formation of the Arawas, yet despite the difficulties under which tliey laboured, ba.ve performed wonderfully -well- 2sV.merico.lly strong, tlie teams lia-ve often 'been to allow players a eliance, hence sic Suability to adopt a systematic and elective style of play. Unitarian is art entirely new combination, and possesses a couple of players above the ordinary. Like the remaining teams lcrw down on the list they were out of their class, and were given few chances to show their aggressive tactics. The play of Raagatira B is a marked contrast to tha-t of the first eleven. With such a line A team it is only natural to expect the BSb to Lave a similar style of play. l>ub their tactics, on the other hand, are tibose of a new team. The great redeeming feature was, however, that the players kept their places, ■but their hitting was weak and not well directed.

Ao-iea-roa given the promise of being a good team. A team that at the beginning of the season possessed* but one member that had previously handled a stick, they have mad-e rapid'headway. Being fortunate in securing a coach, they entered into the game with much enthusiasm, but while able to display a fine defence their attacking powers have been spoilt.

Mokoia, last on the list, have stuck very gamely to the task they entered upon, bnt were hopelessly baiten from the start. With a big membership, the same team has never entered the field twice. Thus all combination was immediately ruined, and this club will have to consider the advisability of forming another team.

What has greatly hampered the majority of the teams has been their inability to secure proper coaching. The material is there, but enthusiasm without method will not Jead to success. Generally speaking, the players have not known their places, for "it was no uncommon occurrence to see several players of the same team bunched together in endeavouring to get the ball. The hitting was weak, and lacked direction, and with a little attention to the foregoing facts, the last cix teams will be in a position to put up a sound fight with the leading four.

The Rawhiti Ladies , nockey Club held a successful "At Home" in the Druids' Hal] last nigM. Despite the inclemency of the -weather, over eighty couples were present. The floor was in splendid order, and the light fantastic was tripped until an early hour this morning. The supper-tables were 'tastefully decorated with the club's colours (red and white), pot plants, and arnm lilies. JTTMXQK, NOTES. On the Domain last Saturday College Rifles defeated St. George's by 5 goals to 1. University defeated Pimpernels by 4 goals to 1. Pimpernel's forward line has suffered the 1063 of Gilfillan at centre and Murray left wing; consequently, those line forward rushes were not so' effective on Saturday. McDonald showed up prominently and scored their only goal.

Training College, after a strennous game, beat United by 3 goals to 2, two of their goals being the result of bullies against United's full-back. For Training College, Vause and West offered a stubborn defence. Johns and Crawshaw were most prominent in the forwards. Dry.land, at full-back, made a good debut for the whites. Treanor, who is a player of 'the heady order on the right wing, showed plenty of pace and centres well, as also did Clark on the left.

No less than four gamee in third grade last Saturday were won by the narrow margin of one goaL V.M.C.A. were well extended by Training College, who were only defeated on the call of time by 3 goals- to 2. Two very exciting games were those between Mt. Eden and Ponsonby, and Parnell and St. Andrew's, Mt. Eden just winning in the last few minutes. The form shown by a couple of Mt. Eden backs was worthy of a higher grade. This grade, which ie mainly composed of the younger playera, is marked by a good deal of enthusiasm, as shown by the numbers of supporters some of the teams have.