HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 149, 24 June 1911, Page 16

HOCKEY.

This year (says the "Dunedin Star") Otago is to make the attempt to bring tne shield south, and notification to that effect has by this time readied Wellington. It is possible that Otago might this year send a team on an extended tour, playing at Wanganui, Napier, and Auckland, as well as Christchurch and Wellington, but that will depend on the local association's ability to "raise the wind."

LADIES' HOCKEY NOTES. Tlie postponed fourth round of the ladies' competitions was played under ideal conditions on Saturday. In the senior grade, Kangatira and Training College registered wins, while Ao-tea-roa and Arawa drew. In the second grade, Unitarian and Mount Eden were successful, and Tui and Miirtino played a drawn game. Waihora had the bye. The most important event was the meeting of Ao-tea-roa and Arawa, and as expected, a fast keen game was the result, played in the best of spirits. Both teams depended on good individual efforts rat/her than combined play, and ou the play either side .could have won. Both teams missed opportunities, but, taking the match all round, it was the best struggle of the season. Arawa's strength wa.s in the back division, who tackled splendidly, and hit hard and clean. They all played so well that it is hard to individualise, but Misses /toss and BropJiy on the fullback line, were particularly prominent, while Miss Muldoon played a dashing game at centre-half. The last-named player cannot fail to catch the selector's eye if she maintains her present form. Miss Probert is a forward line in herself, and is too fast for the rest of the line. Her last goal demonstrated what a hard player she is to mark when she went right through tho opposition unaided.

For Ao-tea-roa, Miss M. Bennett played one of her old time solid games at centrehalf, breaking up the opposing attack continually,' and was seldom beaten for the ball. Apart from this player and Miss Blackburn, the backs g;ive a disappointing display, far below their usual form. The tackling was weak, and their hitting misdirected generally straight to an opponent, but a general improvement was manifested towards the close of the pwue. The forwards played a much better game, with one exception. Miss Dorothy Bennett on the left wing was the star, and put in some brilliant line play, finishing with some splendid centres. She was unfortunate in not scoring from one or two very " hot" shots. Miss de Laiinay, at centre, played another useful game, and notched both gjoals. She should provide an .objpot lesson for other forwards in regard to making the most of opportunities in the circle, her second goal being a brilliant example. Misses E. and E. Whittaker were also prominent. If this line combined better, they would take a tremendous lot of stopping.

A good struggle eventuated in the second grade between Mount Eden and Technical College, both of whom were undefeated. The former were successful by the small margin of one goal. Tui continue to improve, and played a drawn game with Martino. Another good fight was between the unbeaten Unitarian and Ao-tea-roa B, the former just scoring , the necessary point to win. The last-named team are quite a new combination, and show promise. Misses E. Clarke and Ina. Norton played splendid defensive games, while Hisses G. Wrigley and V. Hall •were most prominent among the forwards.

The Rawhiti-Rangatira match was full of interest, and the game was very evenly-contested. The latter team were considerably strengthened by the inclusion of Miss Cooke, who played a fine game, although she has 'been off the field nearly the whole season. Rawhiti played short in thp first spell, when the goal was scored, and there was every indication that the match would have ended in a draw had the teams been even from the start. For the winners, Miss Payton played solidly, and she never j missed a hall all afternoon. Miss Cooke, on the WTnjr, was the best forward on the field, and stood out for tricky play. j Misses Mather and Dawes also deserve mention. For Rawhiti, Miss Little, in goal, was reliable as usual, and her I goal-keeping was a q-ood display. Miss I Trrmain and Miss Harrison, halves, were i both responsible for a lot of solid work, I and each sees these players im--1 proving. Of the forwards Miss Goodwin was the be.st, her attempts at -shooting only missing the posts 'by inches. Misses Dawson and Gohns, on the wings, were never far away when wanted, but, unfortunately, they did not get many opportunities. Rawhiti have had hard luck this year in not doing better than theT I have done, as the team is a very fair one, but it is to 'be hoped that the.y will do 'better next round.