HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 166, 14 July 1914, Page 8

HOCKEY.

REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. July 10—Manawatu v. Auckland, July IS—Wairarapa v. Auckland (Shield!. July 23—Combined Country v. Auckland. August S— Canterbury v. Auckland (SMeldi. September 10 —Wellingtou v. Auckland (Shield). September 2C> —Hawke's Ray v. Auckland (Shield). LADIES' REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. AT AUCKLAND. Angnst IS—Enjrlaud v. Auckland. October 10— England v. New Zealand (Third Test i.

The championship matches were eontinned on Saturday after a two-weeks interruption by tbe representative shield game. Although bright sunshine favoured the spectators, the playing tields were in wretched condition. Tlie already soft grounds were further ruined by the heavy rains at mid-day. and when tlie two o'clock matches started much water lay about. Tlie result was that when the later games started many grounds were unlit for play and in no places worse than the eiVcles.

The Areta-University match claimed pride of position and resulted in a drawn game. The students made a bin effort to chfck Areta's career, ami although at one time it looked as if it was accomplished, tlie blacks came on. adding a score siillieient to retain their lead of three points. With a game that played so important a part in (Teeiding the championship, it was n poor display. Combined work was almost missing. The attacks lacked sting and were short lived. Both teams' circle work was decidedly poor. There was altogether too much hesitation. Areta's forwards found the Varsity half line troublesome, for their runs were stopped in the critical stages. .The best of Areta's forwards -was Moginie. 'who stood out from his comrades. His goal was a hot shot. E. WTlittaker did a lot of useful work, but should remember the wing forwards. L. Whittakcr was best of the half line. Ellison's work was mtu'a above bis usual, while England's hitting proved an asset. Speight and Jones were a safe pair of full-backs. Reiinie has half line honours and got in a lot of reverse stick work. Row-e did a lot of intercepting and hit judiciously. Maboney was best of the forwards though not up to expectations as a centre. .Tacobsen comes next, lmt was inclined to go too muo'.i on his own. Ring brought off good work on the right wing

The match between Auckland and Ponsonby wa.s played at Victoria Park, and resulted in a drawn game, each side scoring two jioiiits. Auckland had the best of the argument and they only ibnve to tlmnk themselves for not coming out victorious as their inability to d"ivo home attacks was very much in evidence.

Frequently they made good openings, but then bungled at the critical moment

Ponsonby on the other band seized what chances offered, but it was only at tlie eleventh hour that ttiey were fortunate enough to equalise tlie scores. On the whole tlie game was not a good one to watch, being for the most part scrappy and ragged, brightened ortly at intervals. For the West Knders. MacKle -was fairly safe in goal. Simpson played tibotit his best game this year, while Yoies was very sound. The half line did not shape so well as usual. Collins did good work, hut Alison was not so consistent. SnedJen and Osborne were -the pick of the forwards, and were well supported by Murray. The honours of the Auckland back division go to Sparks, Uaker giving only a mediocre display. In the half line Swan and Lepine did an immense amount of advantageous work.

Forward, Welham and Roberts were the most successful.

It was anticipated bhat the contest between Mount Eden and College Rifles would provide one of those hard struggles which generally occur when teams of a similar type possessing plenty of life :'.nd dash try conclusions, However, this contest was not of the rough -and tumble order, in fact, quite the reverse, although play-seldom Teacheda very high standard. College Rifles invariably held the upper hand, and notwithstanding that it was only a two goal victory, the "terries" had any -amount oi opportunities to increase tho margin. Mount Eden were minus the services of King, and bis place was taken by a third grade who played with plenty of confidence. Mount Edon's

attack lacked the necessary sting, and Cotton had little difficulty in keeping his goal intact.

Sloman showed much better form than in the practice match. Yon Stunner offered a strong defence and Graham's bitting was sound. The forwards did not play with their usual keenness. Barry was tho best of a fairly even lot, although he has played many bettor games this season. Cole gave n fluctuating display.

Johns showed some of the form that brought him into prominence so rapidly. CJarrett was conspicuous at times, but did not hit hard enough, when liis goal wag in danger. In tho forward division Durham and MeLeod were about the best.

The fourth grade.match. Imps v. Training College produced a strenuous struggle, and si win to the imps in the final stages by 3 goals to 2. Tlie opening portion was in the College favour, hut towards the latter stages the reds got going and managed to get .home. The viiu places Imps in the lead in this grade and unless something un foreseen occurs, they should .annex the championship.

With n. defeat against, them Mount Eden fifth grade essayed the task of lowering Areta's (who "were unbeaten) colours. Tho browns quickly set to work and gained an advantage, finally accomplishing their object by three goals to nil. The teams are now level, and tlieir goal record reads: —Arcta 37 for with 10 against. Mount Eden 34 for with 5 against. Tlic annual dinner of the Mount Eden Club will lie held in the Tiffin next Saturday night. The Whangarei team who will play Mount Eden in a curtain raiser to ithe shield match will be the club's guests. The Country Week Tournament starts next Tuesday, and the various interested sub-associations are using the best endeavours to get away their strongest teams. Whangarei in the present holder, and many players who assisted to capture White Horse Cup last year will be found battling to retain the trophy. Rodney make no secret of being able to regain lost laurels, while Rotorua and Wai pa are confident of playing an important part. The cguntry week terminates with a. match against the Auckland reps, and wielders of the stick from the country want to meet only our best team. Although Unitarian Club lias disbanded, the majority of players will not lie lost to the game. Smith has joined Ponsonby. while. Hobson has thrown in with University, and others have various clubs under consideration. Williams, the Unitarian player, who was injured iv the Auckland match, has—all hockeyites will he pleased to learn—recovered from, tho (accident. Next Thursday afternoon tlie Manawatu reps meet Auckland at Remuera. Tt is now six years ago since the Southern Association's team figurrd on a local field. Upon that-occasion it was in a

shield match, the visitors suffering defeat, by 4 goals to 3. Four matches have been played between the two associations, three wins standing to Auckland's credit and one to Manawatu. On Wednesday Manawatu play Waikato for the Xorden Cup. * \

Another shield match will be decided next Saturday, when Wairarapa will call upon the Auckland reps to defend their title. Only one other match lias been played between the two associations, that against the lilOl! touring team, when a drawn game resulted. Wairarapa. contested a shield match with Wellington in 1!)10. but met defeat by li goals to 3. As holders of the Norden Cup they possessed a line record, successfully defending the trophy upon seven occasions.

The next meeting of the Referees' As-' sociation will be held on Tuesday night. A full attendance of members is requested, as tlie report of the sub-committee upon the grading of referees will come up for discussion. In view of the approaching visit of tho AH England ladies' team more interest is being evinced in local ladies' hockey. Several weeks ago two teams were selected. Only one practice game has lieen played and that in a half-hearted manner. If our representatives hope to make any show ins a more definite system of practice must lie adopted. Tlie visiting team opened their tour with a win against New South Wales by 11 goals to 3, so it must be recognised that they will prove a formidable eleven by August 15, when they meet our reps.