HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 170, 20 July 1910, Page 7

HOCKEY.

I The third serie6 of matches in connection with the final round of the seni ior hockey competition, were played last ! Saturday. J The return match, between University and United was played at Remuera, when the latter were considerably surprised at being beaten by three goals to love. However, 'Varsity deserved every credit for their victory. They playbO a smarter game, and their defence was sounder. To a very large extent the game was spoilt by the treacherous state of the turf, and strange to relate this appeared to affect the losers more ! than it did the winners. In conae- ! quenee, play was not of the high order 1 expected, slips were frequent, and combined play among the forwards was almost impossible. 'Varsity entered the field fully prepared for a strenuous struggle, and this enabled them to outstay and outspeed their doughty opponents. The students' back division fairly rose to the occasion, and gave the finest exposition in that department witnessed this season. Speight was just a shade uncertain at the start, but when once warmed up played brilliantly.

His partner, Robinson, shone most in stopping. The half-line played a most prominent part, and in no small measure were responsible for the success of the side. Richards was perhaps the pick of this trio. His pace was of great service, and he used great judgment in hitting. Pierce (centre) played a very solid game, and tackled the opposition in. a most determined manner. Rowe cleared well when anything came his way, but was not called upon to do a great deal of tackling. N. Jacobsen outshone the remainder of the line. Besides doing an immense amount of clever work, he made three brilliant runs, and on each occasion, a Score resulted. King showed the form displayed in the earlier matches, but nullified a splendid opportunity to score, by trying to hit too hard after his great run. The change of position in the United forwards was not so beneficial as in the match with Auckland in the first round. Parton got through a difficult afternoon's work with credit. Munro seemed at home in the heavy going, and was always conspicuous. Diekeaon and Yon Stunner were the only backs who showed anything like form; the remainder did not play up to the mark, probably the suddenness of the opposing forwards somewhat upset their calculations. Contrary to expectations, after their fine display against Auckland on the same ground, St. George's were compelled to strike their colours to North Shore. It is hard to account for their reversal of. form when one remembers their doings against the three leading teams in. the competitions; even taking into consideration the shocking state of the ground, and minus the services of a half-back, they gave a miserable exhibition. The saving feature was tlie display of Njilmour in goal. He suffered considerable bombardment, and at one time saved four shots in quick sue-

North Shore improve every week, and now that they have abandoned the liithard and follow-up tactics, are rapidly settling down to orthodox hockey. Farquharson was the mainstay of the seasiders, and his recent games rank him as a full-back of note. The two wingers, ■Little and Weston, played clinking games apd were mainly responsible for the goal scoring.

Auckland journeyed to Victoria Park, and, as anticipated, did not experience •much trouble in overcoming Ponsonby. Now and again there were glimpses of good hockey, but generally play was of a scrappy nature. The winners had the best team available in the field, ibut I am afraid they will have to show much, 'better form against 'Varsity next Saturday. Whitley (full-back) did well, although some of his speculators •were not quite a success. Kavanagh and Lepine performed with credit in the first line of defence. Murdoch evidently appreciates Victoria Park. Although out of position ihe gave another slashing display. His tackling was very deadly. Welham made some clever runs, but hangs on to the ball far too long. For Ponsonby, Davis had a busy time in goal. Alison Tβpeatedly broke the Auckland attack, and •showed fine form throughout.

Forward Ponsonby were not very strong, and failed to put a finishing touch to their work. Hay and Alison were about the best.

The fifth annual "At Home" under the auspices of the Auckland Hockey Association will be held in the Choral Hall tomorrow night. The floor is being specially prepared, and a strong committee have been actively engaged making the necessary preparations to ensure a most successful and enjoyable function. In another part of this issue cars are advertised to leave the Choral Hall for the various suburbs immediately after the dance. JUMOR NOTES. Some very exciting hockey was -witnessed in junior competition last Saturday. Unitarian defeated United by 3 goals to 2, and College Rifles drew with United. Unitarian are now level with College Rifles, while University are just a point ahead. So matters are decidedly interesting in the second grade A section. Unitarian deserved their win over 'Varsity, the play being full of that nippiness which is so characteristic of their recent games. Among the forwards it is hard to discriminate, but Hobson again showed good generalship. The backs stopped well,"and fed the forwards judiciously. Snedden and Brook were the pick of the Collegians' forwards, and Rowe and Armi tage in the back division. Against United, College Rifles only averted defeat just on the call of time. The former had the best of the first spell, 'but towards the end of the game the terxitori als pressed hotly and managed to equalise matters.

Scott-Smith, a new arrival from Nelson, notched both goals for United, 'both being examples of what fast following up ■will produce. Howarth and Treanorwere also prominent. Gafr played a good game at full-back, and the halves catered well for the forwards. Sloma-n stopped rushes in good style, but was rather liieky in speculating. Mark and Marshall were the most prominent in the College forw-ard line, and sent in some Jrot snots, -which were well stopped. Another drawn game was played between Training College and St. Andrew'e. The latter have improved in their combined work,and had hard luck not scoring again. Irwin played his usual cool game, and was well supported 'by Strange and Colbeck. Campbell McLean and Horepool were most conspicuous in the forward line. Crawshaw and Johns gave a good exhibition, of junior forward play. The former is one of the headiest players in the grade. The halves rendered good services, and \%use and West continually dislocated the St. Andrew's attack.

IiADIES' HOOKEY. As the championship has now finished the various teams will arrange interclub matches for the rest of the season.

Great interest is being taken, in the New Zealand Ladies' Tournament, which will commence at Nelson on August 3lst. The Auckland representatives will probably leave on August 26th, and 'be away ior a fortnight at least.

With five weeks to practise in, and taking into consideration the standard of hockey generally among the ladies, Auckland should have a good chance of bringing home the cup this year. Mesdames Culling and Cooke -will act as chaperones while the team is on tour.

Rangatira B will play a match with the Technical School team on Saturday next, at Kemuera. Several other matches have also been arranged between the dubs.