HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 126, 29 May 1911, Page 8

HOCKEY.

GRADE CHAMPIONSHIPS. WINS FOR AUCKLAND, 'VABSITT. PONSONBY AND NORTH SHORE. The weather, which had been unpromising enough all the morning, cleared sufficiently to permit of the hockey championship matches to be played under fairly favourable conditions, although tlie grounds at Remuera, Where two of the senior and most of the junior matches were played, was on the slithery side. At Remuera Auckland and 'Varsity had wins, North Shore defeated Christchurch at the Domain, and Ponsonby won from Grafton at Victoria, Park.

NORTH SHORE V. CHRISTCHURCH.

Prom the bully-off Shore commenced the attack, and after some good passing by the i blacks got near the latter's circle, where a 'shot went wide. From the corner Christchurch got .the ball, and relieved pressure, but soon Shore again made things hot, and la score was barely missed. For a time some 1 lively play was kept up iv Christchurch's I territory, but at length .Adams got in a fine! dribbling run, and successfully dodging thej Shore backs gained an "outside." Goodl passing -then gave 'Shore the advantage, audi the Christchurch twenty-five was once more | the scene of operations. Several times the I blacks got the ball into the open, Adams j , again pat in some clever work, but the Shore backs in each case managed to relieve before play became close. Shore, how- j ever, kept closely ou the ball, and soon got, ■their opponents into serious difficulties, i Several hits within the circle were barely | stopped, and eventually Christchurch were \ ,awarded a free hit for obstruction. This] loosened play somewhat, and for some min- 1 urtes a sort of give and take game was kept! up in midfield. From a penalty bully Shore ] had things their own way, and got across. the line on two occasions, but the second ] corner enabled Christchurch to better their position, Klngsland making a good save just outside the circle. In the course of some indecisive play in midfield Christchurch were awarded a free hit, but quick hitting by the other side spoilt their chances. The combination shown by the Shore forwards kepi the attack going pretty briskly, when half time sounded with no score. On resuming Christchurch had the advantage from a 'bully but soou lost it, Shore taking the ball cleau through them and right up the field, where Manning had it all to himself with the goalkeeper and scored. •North Shore 1 Christchurch 0 Shore then put some more heart into it, and would have scored again but for a man off-side. This seemed to liven the blacks up also and they pressed once more. After a 'brief interval when Shore was once again in the ascendant, a rush by Christchurch from mid-field enabled Adams to score the first goal of the season for his side. North Shore 1 OhrlstchuTch 1 Some lively work made the Shore twentyfive the centre of interest for a while, Wrigley, at goal, putting in some good stopping. Adams, the Christchurch captain, had a shot a few minutes later, but narrowly missed. Similar play on the part of the blacks Just spoilt an almost certain score, but Shore -were now on their mettle, anil got the ball clean down to the Christchurch I goalkeeper, who saved cleverly with his pads a few yards out. This did not relieve the pressure toy any means, and In a few seconds Duncan got In a shot. ■North Shore 2 Christchurch 1 Christchurch now made desperate efforts to score and some rather wild hitting did them no good. Shore 'managed to keep cool for the most part, and looked like increasing their lead, getting repeatedly past the opposing backs. Little had a good chance to score, but the goalkeeper was clever enough to spoil It. Honours were even during the next few minutes, until Shore again made themselves felt in 'the loose, breaking awiay in fine style, and Little missed the shot .by a few inches. Christchurch were unable to free themselves before Shore had missed several fairly good chances. The •whistle sounded with play in the Shore twenty-five, the game having been close and interesting throughout. North Shore 2 Christchurch 1 In the absence of Mr Cummings, Mr F. Worsop, a Wellington visitor, gave every satisfaction as referee.

PONSONBY V. GRAFTON.

This match was played in the Victoria Park. It created little interest, and indeed, it was a one-sided match. Ponsonby having matters all their own way. Right from the slart Tonsonby got into Grafton territory, and a passing rush between Young, Hay, and Stone resulted in the Inst named scoring. The Ponsonby forwards were showing fine combination, and getting away again, they enabled Young to score. From a penalty, Parton added to the total and that player was again successful from a penalty at the corner. Parton added a trick more before ihe spell ended; the score so far being Ponsonby 5 Grafton 0 On the resumption of play. Grafton attacked and nearly scored In the first few minutes of play. From the 25 bully, Ponsonby took the ball back and added goals rapidly, scores being scored by Stone, Young, and Tarton. Just before the call of rime. Whyman got away and scored Grafton's first and only goal. The game ended Ponsonby 11 Grafton 1

AUCKLAND V. PARNELL.

From the bully the leather went Into Auckland territory, but a free hit for obstruction enabled Auckland to clear, and Mason set his forwards in motiou. After a brief 'bombardment Page goaled. Auckland 1 Parnell o Parnell retaliated with a strong attack on the Auckland citadel, but the red defence was too sound, and play gravitated back to ueutral territory. After a brief interval of indecisive play the Parnell team set to work in earnest in chase of their opponents, and following a hot attack 'lmiins fouud the net from a fast centre, and scored the first goal against Auckland for the season. The red aud blacks did not allow matters to remain long balanced, however, for a quick bout of passing among tne torwards ended in Mason finding the net. Parnell again rose to the occasion, for within three minutes a long straggling rush was followed by 1-iper equalising matters. Parnell continued to press the attack aud very nearly succeeded in making good, the attempt being spoilt by an 111-judged hit sending the ball clear of the net. Last , year's champions now pulled themselves together and began to make things very interesting for their younger opponents, whose goal was in jeopardy several times \ ,in the course of the next few minutes, i I Temporary relief was fouud by a penalty, I ■but Auckland were after It, aud Little re- j gistered the major point. Parnell made a desperate attempt to come up, and pressed the red and blacks hard for a brief spell, being conceded a corner. The veteran forwards were charging down to the other circle almost Immediately the ball was in play again, and brushing aside the defence, sent another Into the net. Mason scoring. The inclination on the part of the Parnell players to bunch was a noticeable weakness in their team when backs were needed to defend, and Auckland's combined rushing tactics soon had them iv difficulties agaiu. Some loose stick work was followed by an Auckland charge, and Mason again found the net. Parnell broke away from the bully, but Indecision and lack of combination lost them an excellent ohauce after some brilliant individual play on The part of the forwards, and Mason was soon footing it hotly in almost a bee-line for Par- : nells goal. The left full back was equal '■ to the occasion, however, and the yellow and blacks conceded a corner, and tbe spell ended a few minutes later with the score: Auckland ». ...«^^.^..-.. v 5 iParnell •_,.;-......._.. r *i***. v i . „*~3;

'Parnell got away 4rom the bully, but play weut back and a succession of loug hits followed, txoai which A'aruell surprised mc veterans by some quick work on the edge of the circle, a, hot one finding the net from just within the chalk mark. Auckland responded by sweeping down to the opposing goal, and -Mason oeing in the right p.iace took a quick centre and scored Auckland's sixth goal. ißoth sides were in scoring lorm at this period, for the ball had been only moving a few minutes when Parnell came down on the line, and the forwards being In their right places, the wlug sent it iv fast to Aickin, who uotched Barneli's fourth goal. Auckland got to work trom the bully and with good combined play got into their opponents circle, but a Iree hit brought relief and play awept to the other end of vie field. The eeutre left put In one that found the vet, but the whistie had sounded before he struck. Parnell were making strenuous efforts to get on terms, and were soon after it again, making matters extremely interesting for the red and blacks. Some exciting work inside the circle was followed by Mc■Leod sending along a hot one, which, however, struck the post. Auckland now took another turn, and rushed play to the opposition quarters, where a penalty bully oe•tween Mason and the goal resulted in the former bringing up Auckland's score to seven. At this stage of the game both teams were eager and breaches were frequent. From a free hit inside halfway Auckland made a straggling attack, but the Parnell forwards were out for business and soon had the veterans pondering again, while a penalty corner did not promise to improve matters. Auckland cleared, and for a brief spell pressed their opponents, who, breaking away, however, swept play back ■to the Auckland circle, Whittingham, Piper, ; and McLeod being prominent in a bustling I attack, which ended in the last named finding the net with a backhander, and registering Parnell's fifth goal. Give aud take I play followed, aud then Auckland's turn . came round once more, a hot piece of work jin the circle ending by Mason's lightningjlike stick work prevailing. Auckland 8, ■Parnell D. The pace continued a cracker, Ithe ball flying up aud down the field In bej wilder!ng fashion, the Parnellites being especially heavy with the stick, frequently to j their own disadvantage. They were also inclined to overrun the ball when charging, . another factor which militated against them ,j in playing an experienced team like Anckl land. Individually, however, their play for [the greater part was astonishingly good i for so young a team, and It is clear that '.practice and experience in the finer points lof the game will make of them a very formidable combination. The game ended without further alteration to the scores, which at the whistle stood— Auckland 8 Parnell 5 Mr Hay was referee.

UNIVERSITY v. UNITED.

United won the initial bully, Munroe dashing through, carried play into the circle, a penalty corner resulting, from which Munroe found the net within the . first two minutes of play. United 1, Unlver- ' slty 0. From a roll In, Scott and Smith _ carried the leather into the students' territory, and University were on the defensive. Reynolds broke away and Millar _ stopped, ana United were again on the • offensive. Kicks by Miller brought relief to the Blues, and the forwards took play into United's 25. The onslaught was splendidly saved by Hallam preventing a practically certain goal Munro was prominent . in heading a sally into University's terri- . Tory, and prolonging the attack, he just put one over the bar. Play now waged i busily between the two circles, Robinson , being prominent in staying an attack of the i White vanguard. The Blues' with Jacob- , son In the van, looked extremely dangerI ous but Bloomfleld came across and saved II in brilliant style. 'Varsity maintained the s! pressure, but without result: From the : resultant bully, they again took play into r the circle, when Jacobsen skied one over the posts. By line play, United found a footing In repelling the borders, and play drifted to midfield. Jacobsen streaked for the shooting zone, but Bloomfleld accounted for him. A corner was conceded, but Unlt- • ed sent on to the 25. A lot of reckless J s)ltt"iug resulted without any advantage Ito either side. An exchange of hits between " Miller and Richards resulted in Porter 5 setting his forwards going, but Jackson - wns In the w-.iy, and again the Blues atr tacked. 'Varsity were losing chances by ' hitting too hard, and consequently United J backs had plenty of time to stem the at- _ tack. After some give and take play, 'Var- : slty made strenuous efforts to score, but j Hallam was equal to the occasion. Speight , stopped a straggling rush, and hit to Unl- ; ted's 25. Porter shifted the danger, and j 'Varsity were again on the defence. Dickirson was working like a Trojan, and played up havoc with the Blue's attack. A fine drive by Woods gave his forwards an opportunity which was accounted for by Robinson hitting to Jacobsen, and the 'Varsity flyer made for the circle, when Bloomr field coming across neatly, interrupted his progress. Both men came to "grass," and ball went out near the corner flag, 'Varsity again attacked, and with play in United's quarters. Half time sounded without any alteration to the score. United 1 , University 0 After such an indifferent display in the r first hall, it was just on the board that ' 'Varsity would go under. , The bully gave • United the advantage, but the '\'arslty • backs cleared. Sound hitting between the " two back divisions terminated in the leather " going into United's circle, where a hot at- ' tack was made on the goal. Munroe cleared [ the danger, but 'Varsity was soou back 1 again, and a continued bombardment fol--1 lowed, which was magnificently stopped by 1 the sound defence of the United backs. Line ! play eased the pressure for a few moments, when offside tactics by United gave 'Varsity a tine opening. The persistent attack compelled Uuited to concede a couple of corners, and from one Jacobsen successfully shot. United 1, University 1. This re- - verse roused United, who now took a turn r in the attack, and 'Varsity were called upon to defend. Play was gradually worked > back to midfield, where Heynolds secured, ■ and. Miller missing, had no difficulty in beating the goalkeeper aud notching 'Var--1 sity's second goal. University 2 United 1 'Varsity were now having all the best of the struggle, and the United were sorely pressed. Jacobsen made a great effort to score, the ball just going wide. From midfield Whitaker came nicely down th e ' field, and Jacobsen, taking the centre, added another goal. 1 University 3 J . United 1 United's defence now seemed demoralised, for the blues bombarded strongly, but the shooting lacked direction. Play drifted towards midfield, but the relief was only temporary, for King aud Jacobsen transferred ■ the leather to the whites' circle. The blues ; maintained the advantage, aud when time • was called the score stood University 3 United 1 i I Mr Horspool was referee.

j SECOND GRADE.

A SECTION. Pimpernel 3 (Alexander, Horspool, Duffus) beat Parnell 2 (Doble and 'Smith). Unitarian 1 (Moore) piayed a drawn game with College Rifles 1 (Fletcher). Training College 3 (Steele, Johns, Bishop) beat Epsom 1 (McCowan), B SECTION. Mount Eden 7 (Bartlett 2, Alexander, Par- ! tridgc, Preston 2, Cox 1) beat Auckland nil. I Areta 2 (Knight and Kroufeld) beat I'onj sonby nil. i North Shore 2 (Kingsford and Hamley) I beat College Rifles 1 (Forrest). Referee, Mr I IP. Duncau.

THIRD GRADE.

V.M.C.A. 4 (Thomas 3, Spooner 1) beat Pousonby 1 (Ross). St. James 6 (Darby 3, Wood 1, Holland 1, L. Steele 1) beat Tul nil. Mount Edeu 3 (Fletcher 2, Mackereth 1) beat Auckland 2 (Fuller 2). Oreta 3 beat 'Varsity 1.

ORDER OF SHIELD MATCHES.

| Information received to-day from Mr. G. ; Cowper, the Auckland Hockey Association's : delegate on the New Zealand Hockey Association Council, states that the following is the order fixed for the playing of this year's shield matches: Manawatu, Canterbury, Hawke's Bay, Auckland, Wangauul, Nelson. The first contest, between Wellington and Manawatu. will take place at Wellington next Saturday, June 3.

WAIBARAPA. ~~

The Uh-utt^ggfl. Senlois.—Post and Teleirranh mi terton (0); Excelsior CD fflSa^ Juniors.—St Matthew'n *is A~i . celsior (1); Daledel^^««*«£

NOTES.

The Executive has agreed that «... grade A section matches? St. yerslty, and St. John's v. Ponsonby be played at the end of the season *'__ results affect the championship Tho lege has been unable to meet th e .above ,„ gagcmeuts on account ot the vacation Secretaries of clubs are requested t* n nt . the new address of the hon. secretary °f fh 8 Association (Mr L. H. Norton). & of .£« Swanson-street. 'Phone No. 3176 " ' A meeting of delegates of the i nnln „ teams has been called for this eernuu- «f 7.15, at the Sports Club, for the purpose ot electing a junior advisory committee A special meeting of the AncW.„,i Hockey Referees' Association will be hSS at the Sports Club this ev" n w to consider a motion brought forward at th« last meeting. uo The Ao-tea-roa Ladies' Club has purcha.. Ed the dressing shed from the late St George's Club, and has had It moved over near No. 1 ground.