HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 134, 7 June 1911, Page 7

HOCKEY.

The fourth series of matches in connection with the first round of the championship matches eventuated on the King's Birthday. Ponsonby defeated Parnell by three goals to two; Auckland scored two goals against United; University accounted for North Shore by twelve to one; and Grafton defaulted to Christchurch as only six players turned up. ' After such indifferent exhibitions so far this season followers of ho'ekey were at last favoured with ar couple of games of more than ordinary interest. Besides the stubborn contest between those two old rivals, Auckland and United, there was plenty of incident in the Ponsonby-Parnell match. In fact, it was more exciting than the game on the adjoining ground, although neither of the combatants has such a historical record as the two pioneer clubs. Ponsonby were considered the favourites, biit the ex juniors had many supporters. who were confident of their ability to do the trick. What prospects Parnell bad of winning were somewhat discounted by the absence of their left full back; the game was very' fast and interesting, notwithstanding the slippery nature of the turf, and both: sides put plenty of vigour into their play. Ponsonby had the best of the argument, and victory by .the odd goal in five hardly indicates the actual difference in the two teams.

The game was remai - kable for the kaleidoscopic change which occurred in the aspect of affairs in the first spell. d?arnell made the pace hot from the start, and soon penetrated the defence. Then Ponsonby made a continued assault on the Parnell citadel, and at last managed to get the ball into the net. In comparing the two elevens Ponsonby showed more method in the forwards, which counted for more than the dashing display of their opponents, and lasted longer. In the back division Ponsonby held the advantage in numbers, and, consequently, were better able to defend. Hay deserves special mention for his game on the left wing. Parton played soundly; his shots require more direction. Young did a lo'fc of good work, but was selfishly inclined. Turner gave a capital dispjay at right half. Alison set his side a good example, and was always handy. There was little to choose between the two full backs, although Mineher, in fielding and placing,, was slightly better. Dingle had a hot I time in goal for Parnell, and performed splendidly. Warner, in sole charge of £he full back line, had a busy afternoon, and, beyond- a' tendency -to spiWiate top much and give "sticks," did yory well. Whittingham distinguished himself most among the halves, and broke up many attacks. The wingers frequently wandered too close to the forwards. Of the forwards McLeod, .Aicken, and Piper were the best.

The seventeenth encounter of sticks between Auckland and United was brought off at Remnera. The two dubs have always been great rivals, and the honours of war have been fairly evenly distributed between them. The champions of six seasons, having 9 matches to their credit, with a total.of 39 goals, as against seven in favour of United premiers in 1903 and 1907, with a total of 31 goals, while there has been one drawn game, when 'they came out level with three goals each in 1907. The two most memorable contests were in 1909 and 1910. In the first match play was fairly even until within fifteen minutes of time, although United led by one goal, scored in the early stages. Then a different complexion was put on the game, and the spectators were treated to a fine exhibition of forward play. The. Auckland forwards took control, and simply overran the opposition, notwithstanding that the defence never rejaxed, winning by three goals to one. The following year the match was almost a repetition of the one just mentioned, only the positions were reversed, and more of individual brilliancy shown, accompanied by marvellous shooting. Several changes were noticeable in tljo teams since last season, but United suffered most in this respect, despite the fact that the substitutes came with good credentials from the junior ranks. As regards physique, the teams appeared even, though Auckland looked more solid in their sombre coloured jerseys. The game furnished the best display of hockey seen here this season, notwithstanding that Auckland scored in the first few minutes, and were the stronger team. Although the champions did most of the attacking, they did not succeed in scoring until the dying moments of the game. The gallant defence of United backs in stemming the vigorous onslaughts of the opposing forwards saved the game from being lopsided, and came in for a great deal of admiration. Auckland's goal was really only in a critical condition on one occasion, and, therefore the defence of their backs was not so severely tested. They retrieved themselves for the poor display on the previous Saturday, and proved a veritable stonewall to the attackers, and a comer was not even secured against them. Baker was the. finest back on the ground, and the cool manner in which he stopped s.nd cleared was a treat to witness. Kavanagh kept his position, and bewildered the United forwards with his stick play. Lepine was also in a happy mood, and executed some fine pieces of work. The soft nature of the turf interfered with the play of the forwards, nevertheless the work accomplished was of a high order. Mason harassed the opposing l defence, and caused them many anxious moments. Welham performed much better than in the last two matches, but still shows a propensity to do all the scoring. Little is improving every week, and if he keeps on will be a candidate for rep. honours. He would do well to pass to his inner left occasionally. T_he United rearguard bore the brunt of the work, and came through the ordeal i with honours.

Hallam has been performing splendidly this season, and on Saturday again gave a magnificent display between the sticks. Yon Stunner's return greatly strengthened United's defence. He wag very safe, and made some fine drives. A marked and pleasant surprise was a quieter display than usual by Porter; nevertheless ho wfts always in the thick of it, and proved that- -tfaijMsferte doea

not affect hi« play. Dickson is a great bustles, and hangs to his vis-a-vis like a leech, but does not feed Ms forwards profitably. Coming to the United forwards they played a dashing game when jopportunities .occurred, but {through lack of understanding failed to drive home the attack. Several bouts ,of passing were initiated, and looked promising, but invariably came to grief. Munro did good work at close quarters. ■Glover and - Scott-Smith were the most convincing of the remainder. The game between University and North Shore developed into" a goalscoring competition between the students' forwards, which resulted in Jacobsen and Whittaker getting four apiece. North Shore surprised University on one occasion, and succeeded in breaking the monotony of affairs by taking a hand in the attack, and notching a solitary goal, thereby keeping up their reputation of scoring in every match played this season. The Auckland Hockey Club will pay a visit to Te Awamutu on Coronation Day to play a match with the country representative eleven. Watching the junior matches last Saturday a great deal of obstruction was noticeable in 'the lower grades. The referees penalised occasionally, but might have kept on blowing their whistles all the afternoon, so numerous were the infringements. Next Monday the referees intend to Inaugurate a series of lectures with blackboard illustrations for the benefit of players and themselves. Instead of the blackboard it could bo more clearly demonstrated by experienced players taking an actual part in the proceedings and illustrating the breaches as they happen on the field. Mr. W. Lepine, who has just returned from Gisborne, reports that hockey in that district, which showed a falling off for a couple of seasons, is now thriving splendidly, and that a visit from an Auckland team would be welcomed. LADIES' NOTES. • The postponed third round was played on Saturday, when Ao-tea-roa, tira, and Training College secured wins in the senior grade, and Technical College, and Unitarian in the second grade, while Ao-tea-roa B and Waihora drew. Mt. Eden 'had the bye. Ao-tea-roa put up a record score for the season by defeating Kopana, who played two short, T>y nine goals to nil. The game really devolved into a struggle between the navy and creams' forwards and Kopana backs, with all honours with the former. Occasionally the 'blue 3' forwards indulged in some passing rushes to their opponents' twenty-five, but found the defence too sound, and the creams' backs cleared well. Ao-tea-roa's forward line worked splendidly after the first five minutee, and denionst-rated what a dangerous scoring combination they are. Principal honours go to Muss de Launay, at centre, ■who was always in position, and played a very sound game, finding the net on six occasions. -She was well supported by Miss R. Whittaker. Miss D. Bennett, on the left, and Miss E. Whittaker on the right wingj did all that was asked of them, while, the two goals from the lastnamed player's stick were from "hot" shots. Miss M. Harvey, a junior player, showed promise. Miss C. Norton, was "the •best back on fcb.e ground, and Misses Blackburn and Nairn also showed up prominently. Miss N. Bennett, in goal, had little t<? do, but clearpd. splendidly when occasion demanded. Kopana played a disappointing , game, and can do much tetter. With two or three exceptions, they were too slow in moving, and were generally beaten for the ball, and appeared to . Ixj outclassed. They were •badly handicapped, haying only nine players, but even so -wpll have to •brighten up if -they wish to avert a succession of defeats. Miss Sutherland ■was the one strong player of the day among the backs, and cleared well. Eangatira turned the tide of defeat by securing a brilliant win over the unbeaten Arawas, five goals to nil. Xt was the blue and golds' first •win, and the result came as a surprise. Miss Kenny, who was able to make another appearance at Remuera, was in" scoring mood, and accounted for four goals. With this player and Miss Mather, last year's champions, -were equipped with a pair of flying "wings," which even Arawa's defence couldn't withstand. Being -well fed by Misses Paton and Campbell, Miss Kenny once again demonstrated what a fine player she is, and it is to be hoped she will be handy when the time comes to pick the representative team. Arawa were, perhaps, rather unfortunate in not scoring , more often, as they frequently had the upper hand, and looked like finding the net once or twice. The (blue and bTowns were handicapped throupSi svbsence of their goalkeeper. Miss Brophy, and during the first spell played "without a custodian, Miss Beamish filling the position in the second ,half. The tacks appeared to "be disorganised, and di,d not play anything like their usuaj solid game.

Training College were successful against Rawhiti to the extent of two goals to nil. both scored by the redoubtable Miss Dames. Some close secondgrade games were contested. Ao-tea-roa B and Walhora played a drawn game, without score being registered. The former, who played one short, had the advantage, and narrowly missed the net on three occasions. Misses Burton and Locfcwood showed promise among the forwards. Miss Ina Norton played well among the backs. Only two goals separated Technical College arid Tui; the last-named team are showing improved defence. Unitarian accounted for Martino, and , continue in their unbeaten record.