HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 159, 6 July 1914, Page 8

HOCKEY.

CHALLENGERS UNSUCCESSFUL. AUCKLAND 4, WAIKATO 2. FAST AND EXCITING GAME. The Auckland hockey representatives were called upon on Saturday to defend for the first time vLs Xew Zealand Cbampiouship Shield which they wrested from Wellington at the close of last scasou after a memorable struggle. The challengers were the Waikato representatives, the present holders of the Xorden Cup, and a fast and most exciting game was played at Remuera. in the presence of several hundred spectators. The play at times was brilliant, the scene of action changing minute by minute from one end of the ground to the other. The home team had the advantage of a stronger forward line, the visitors' wings being considerably below the standard of the rest of tbe vanguard. The Waikato backs, moreover, did not show fo the best advantage in the first spell, getting nearer tbeir true form in the second. Aucklaud led all the way. though at times it looked as It the scores might be eveued itp. The ground waslpot in the smoothest condition, and the general opinion was that a good display of the stick game would have been much improved by a better field of play.

THE PLAY. After a hitting bout in niiiiueld, passing between Mahoney and Jacobstn took pay across the Waikato twenty-five, where James stopped and the bail went out of bounds. From the throw-in Waikato worked play to half-way. hut the Aucklaud r.ght wiug got working and Johns shot wide, from an opening by Whlttaker of the home team. Big hitting hy tbe Waikato backs enabled Hunter to break away, but Barker stopped him. Jacobsen, Gower. aud Somers were working play down the line, and after a counter-run by Smythe they ran into the circle. Gower's? shot being turned aside by Sparrow. A free hit for sticks by Speight carried play to half way. A cross pass from tbe Waikato loft *.-ing started the forwards going, but Spei__i: chipped in and checked the" rush. Menzies, ou the visitors' right, made a fine opening, centring to Gower, wbo shot hard and bit the post, a corner being conceded. Waikato kept up the pressure, a tun by Hunter and Gower going past Barker, only to be stopped by Alison. C. Jacobsen broke away with a fine run, and centred to Jolins, who missed. Smythe made an attempt which went wide, and after Anders-m had temporarily cleared, Mahoney got the bal'. and stored. Auckland 1 Waikato 0 From half way the visitors sot across the twenty-tire, but Rennie cleared wiLh a long hit. C. Jacobseu got possession in midfield, but Humphries blocked him, and Hunter opened up an attack which *as spoilt by obstruction by Gower. Johns rushed down from the free hit, and there was a brisk tussle iv the visitors' circle, WTjirtaker just missing a goal through bad direction. Au enchange of hits in Waikato territory ended iv Alison sending to his forwards, and Johns missed a good scoring chance. Baker stopped a return rush in tine style, and Auckland ware asain iv the cirde. the bail crossing the goal-line from a centre by Smythe. From the bully V Jaeohsen and Some's go: going, but Baker came to the rescue. Jficobscn. however, was not to he denied, and led a second rush' which carried Speight eft his fret. Spar-

row in goal, cleared, and Rennie bit out | of play. Gower had a shot a tew seconu* | later. " <'. Jacobsen now sot possession. :(t the twentv-tive, and after a Hue run to Mahoney, who battled through and added another point for Auckland. Auckland — - Waikato ° At this point the victors' forwards were ro-arrauced. and the next move was a ru=a which nearly produced a score. Auckland, however, soon had the advantage ugaiu, Jacob-sen makinc a brilliant run and centring to Whlttaker. who just failed to react rhe ball. X. It. Jacobseu next broke away for Waikato. but offside spoiled his effort. Maboney was seen out on his own near tne visitors' clrele at tbe end of a hitting boar, but a free hit for obstruction cleared tiie dinger. Waikaro's vanguard got charge from till?, aud In the midst of a scuffle Hunter took a side-pass and sent a .ens shot in. Auckland - - Waikat 1 ("lower row decided to restore (he original arrangement of lit.-, forward line, and a midfleld bitting bout concluded with a rush by the Waikato vanguard, which was spoiled by Moczies turning on tho ball. Alison nest stopped a shot by Somers. who was near the goal line, and sent ou io Smythe. Tho riirbt winger, after a check. continued his run, and centred in a lbinjy p..sitiou. Mabouev took tbe ball, but oilside terminated the attack, tbe half time bell then interposing. Auckland - Waikato 1 SECOND SPELL. On resuming:, the Auckland forwards. led by JoUns. rushed for the circle, b-n a collisio(( between .lohns and Ilumplirles held np Play for a minute or so. Hintou and Anderson were prominent Iv accounting for two successive rushes by the home forwards. Speight puttitig- In some clever work in intercepting long hiis. After a bout of bard aud rather wild hitting. Waikato reached the Auckland Iffi. where Speigl.l proved very effective. Robinson took the ball across half-way. but Humphries hit ilowndeld. and .Jacobsen broke away. Alison intercepted, and a series of rushes, beaded by (tower, came to nothing. The Auckland left-wing now made things strenuous for tho visitors, bnt off-side ((ear the goal-line spoilt (he attempt. ('lever attack work by Gower and Somers put the Auckland "(vi! in danger. Speight, however, took the ba'l on the fly. aud cleared down the field with a beautiful stroke. Auckland now pressed, Mahonev aud Whlttaker taking parkin a hot tussle in the circle, and in spile of a couple of free hits in the circle the local vanguard kept the defence sevcrelv tested. Humphries at length hit hard (iown the field, but Raker stopped the visitors' rush. .lohns and Mabuucy were prominent in Auckland's attack at this stage, and though X. It. Jacobseu made several openings for the visitors' forwards tbe local men were again in the circle iD quick time, and Whlttaker. taking the ball from a roll-in, scored a third goal tor Aucklaud, Auckland — 3 Waikato -. 1 From the bully. Somers. the Waikato leftwing ran down the line, and centred. Auckland cleared temporarily, but Hunter sot possession, aud put a short short into the net. Auckland — •' Waikato - - Play went straight to the visitors' 2T>, where Mahonev cot a crack ou Ihe knee. 11l midfleld Smythe secured from a long hit. and led the Auckland forwards to the circle. Johns shooting wide by a foot or so. Iv a scuffle a shot from the left: was neatly stopped by Rees. and X. Jacobsen made several brilliant openiugs for the visitors in conjunction with Somers. Speight aud Baker doing yeomen service in defence at this stage. Whlttaker next broke almost through the visitors' defence, but gave sticks badly at the critical moment. The Aucklaud forwards now made things very willing in rhe circle, Hintou and Humphries being responsible for saving oue goal. Sticks were being swung with vigour liy both teams, aud when tbe attack was at a critical stage X. It. Jacobsen (Waikato) received a crack on the uose, which necessitated bis retirement, while au ambulance man attended to the injury. He was loudly applauded on returning to the field. About six minutes of play remained, and the visitors were kept oil the defensive. Hintou clearing well to the left. Jacobsen and Somers now led an attack on the Auckland citadel, hut Smythe got possessiou, and sireaked down the" line. He lost bis stick, however, and Johns continued with the bad. only to be smothered in the circle, the ball going behind A further bard struggle enabled Mahoney to shoot, but Anderson cleverly intercepted. Humphries and Pavies got the hall clear, and Jacobsen, taking it up field, passed to Uower. to Somers. nnd In working back to centre Rennie intercepted. Tbe Auckland vanguard secured the ball, and there wss a wild scramble in tho circle. The goalkeeper and several others lost their feet, and the ball went Into the net. tbe referee being unable to Identify the scorer. The bell rang tbe same moment. Auckland 4 Waikato 2 Messrs. E. E. Madden and G. Fabling controlled Ihe game. The Waikato hockey representatives were the guests of the Auckland Hockey Association ou Saturday night to a theatre party to witness tbe performance of the "Forty Thieies - ' at His Majesty's Theatre.

PONSONBY V. TRAINING COLLEGE. A curtain-raiser was played by teams from the i'onsonbv aud Training College Clubs, the latter winning by 2 goals to nil (Worsley and Scholium). RODNEY V. AUCKLAND. The Auckland team that journeyed to Warkworlh defeated the Rodney representatives by one goal to nil. Durham piloted the ball imp the net for the winners, who tbrousbout ihe same had the best, of the issue. The team speak in glowing terms of the hospitable treatment received. Mr R. H. Ki'lip refcreed the same. THIRD V. FOURTH. Hohsonville (third grade) 3, defeated Imps (fourth grade) 2. Hi THE PROVINCE. WHANGAREI. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WHAXGAREI. Saturday At Mairtown to-day Mansapai defeated Ns.ipuhi hy 2 goals to nil. after a fast open game. P. Carter and B. Miller were responsible for tho winning shots. SOUTHERN MATCHES. PALAIERSTON NORTH. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) PALMERSTON NORTH, Saturday. The Rugby senior matches resultedOriental 111. beat Feilding (3. United' 3 beat Western nil. WAIRARAPA TOURING TEASI. MASTERTON. Saturday. The following team has been selected to represent Wairarapa during the Northern tour:—Goal, E. Burrows; full-backs. W. "iliams. A. Dixon; halves, Haulcy. Ellis. and s. Morgan; wings. A. Ordisli and R. «etd; forwards. A. C. Williams. W. Fisher. F-. TnnniclilTe. E. Ordisli. R. Hatch. R. Morris. [.;. n ar ke. The team is of allround strength. The first match will 1,0 against Auckland, and. beins a Shield contest, will prove of greater interest than usual. The same will indicate fairly clearly how Wairarapa hockey form compares with that of the leading teams of the Dominion. The opinion is generally held that Wairarapa can place as strong a team in the field as any of the big centres, and the value of this idea should be decided by tbe match wirh Auckland. The second match will be played agaiust Waikato, and should the Auckland contest result in defeat, the game will resolve itself into a Xorden Cup contest. It is. therefore, provable that if the team rvturns with the I sliieid the Norden Cup will again find its i way to Wairarapa. ! The Wairarapa senior championship 'matches played ro-day resulted:—Excelsior I-. beat Daiefie'.d f>; Pest and Telegraph 1. I heat St. Matthew's 1.