HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 206, 29 August 1916, Page 8

HOCKEY.

Throughout the senior championship' competition the matches between Mount' Eden and Areta were so keen, and the results so close that Areta were anxious to have another match to convincethemselves that they could still hold their own withi the season's champions. The latter were willing enough, and the match eventuated last Saturday afternoon, the proceeds of the gate going to the Ambulance Funds. Unfortunately, owing to the counter-attraction a little further down the line, the attendance was not up to expectations, and the funds did not benefit to any great extent. The game did not provide anything sensational in the way of hockey. With the championship decided, players did not show the same amount of interest or anxiety, and at times recklessness was rather pronounced. Neither team was. at full strength. Mount Eden had the assistance of four juniors, while Areta had a change of the forward line on account of the absence of Whittaker. It was an evenly contested game, and Mount Eden were rather fortunate to win by the odd goal in five. In the first spell Areta scored twice. Preston notched first goal by putting the leather between the goalkeeper's pads. Woolford registered for Mount Eden from a scramble, the ball just going across the line before being hit out. Just before half-time, Hough, on the right wing, put a fast shot into an open gaol. In the second half Mount Eden added a couple more, and thus won by three goals to two.

During the game there was quite a lofc of reckless hitting, and missing too, mostly by the Mount Eden full-backs, and the goal was in danger on more than one occasion owing to wild speculation. Taking the game right through Areta played better hockey; their forward line worked better together in tht field, but in the circle the tendency to be selfish was apparent. Had they made the game open in the vicinity of'the circle the Mount Eden backs could not have recovered so well.

Mount Eden owed success to their dashing movements, and a spice of good fortune in play developing to their advantage.

For Mount Eden. Woolford in goal saved well. Both McLeod and Jarman had a tendency to speculate too much. Hunt was the cleverest half on the ground. Bartleet is full of promise and did well for a youngling. Woolford at centre-forward was useful. Alexander did a lot of clever work. Malcolm made the roost of the opportunities. Hunt on the other wing gave evidence of good capabilities in th e near future. The Areta custodian had some difficult propositions, and he defended in good style. Baker and Sloman accomplished good work. The half-line were steadier than usual, while the forwards! played with much more cohesion than the Mount Eden van Thomas, Fletcher and Preston were the best of the line. Preston at inner ri"ht is more dangerous in that position than on the right wing.

The _econd grade match between Edendale Old Boys and Areta attracted a good crowd" of spectators and a large amount of interest. Areta were anxious to erase the alleged stain made upon their escutcheon a fortnight before, while Edendale, leading by one point only, determined to show> their right to the \championship honours. The teams had met thTee times previously this season, and though Areta drew in the first match, they had not yet been able to lower Edendale's coleurs,- tbe total scoring in the three matches being Edendale 8, Areta 2. From the initial bully it was evident that the Edendale team were playing on a pre-arranged plan. Their forward line from right to centre is very strong in attack, while their left has considerable shooting power, and using these facts with judgment, they immediately set up a strong attack, resulting in a score in the first few minutes. From then on they were a winning team, eventually winning by 5 goals to 1. Of the winning backs Wheeler, in goal. 6aved smartly in the second spell on several occasions when Areta attacked hotly. The two full-backs, Sparkes and were, as usual a tower of strength. In the 'half line Phillips was solid and fed his forwards judiciously, but the wings were on the slow side, while Emery needs to practise the art of- throwing in. The forward line, especially in the first spell, showed to advantage in sharp, nippy passing and'keen tackling. Monteith, on the right wing, though not fast, is a hard man to *stop. Davis, at centre, worked hard, and. is a most determined tackier, while Grayson and Barton did their work well, the latter putting in a ccuplc of stinging goals. For the losers, Williams, in goal, kept out some good shots, the five that got past him being very hot ones. The long speculating' strokes of Hill and Preston, full-backs, whose style of play is more successful on a wet ground, were rendered futile by the quick stiekwork of the opposing forwards. In the half line Sinclair showed to best, advantage, though the reverse stick work of Brinsden was above the ordinary. The forward line did not work cohesively. Hough started some promising attacks, and Syms at centre worked hard, while Knight flashed out in the limelight once or twice. Of the wings York often got going but did not seem to ''get there," while Reid was not at all happy on the right wing.