HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 121, 22 May 1917, Page 3

HOCKEY.

The second series of matches in con« neetkm with the opening round of the championship matches eventuated last Saturday afternoon, under conditions far from satisfactory. The fine weathor on the two preceding days was a source of jubilation to the players and spectators alike. However, on Saturday morning quite a change came over. Half-an-hour before the senior matches commenced rain fell, and the water on the Burface made the ground slippery and treacherous, consequently players had difficulty in maintaining the perpendicular, and efforts in this direction led to some nasty knocks. The ground, though bad, cannot be blamed entirely for what happened last Saturday in one of the senior games. A good deal of strife arose between the two elevens, in which some individual methods did not improve matters, and subsequently led to a drastic decision by the referee." The victim, in the opinion of many, was more sinned against than sinning. He had suffered considerably at the hands—or rather the stick—of one of his opponents, and. on making a remark to the player in question, did not receive exactly an apology. This induced him to make a remark loud enough for the referee , to hear, which eauecd his exit. During the game several rights and wrongs occurred, and had the referee taken a grip of the situation earlier, perhaps a different tale would have been unfolded.

The matches eet down for decision were considered to be good things for Mount Eden and Areta, but the calculations of the prophets were completely upset. Although 'Mount Eden had tha

better of the argument with Edendale, they came out victorious by a single goal only, while Arcta had difficulty in securing a drawn game—two goals apiece—with University. After the displays on the previons .Saturday nobody anticipated that Edendale would seriously extend Mount Eden, 'but the junior champions played sueli dashing hockey that last year's premiers had the greatest difficulty in ■winning by one goal—a clinking shot by Alexander. Nevertheless, that goal "was an absolute gift to Mount Eden, as the shootist was palpably off-side when he made the shot. However, in fairness to Mount Eden, jfc can 'be said that a short time previously Malcolm cent in a hot shot which went fairly between the posts, but through the net, and the referee was under the impression that the 'ball passed outside the posts. In the first spell Mount Eden had easily the ■best of matters, and lost several chances of scoring through tke inability of ftieir forwards to shoot straight. Further heavy rain at spell-time made the ground even more unfavourable, and Mount Eden's light forward division were eeriously handicapped. After such' a strenuous time defending their line in the first spell, and suffering severely from penalties, it seemed hardly possible for Edendale to make good on changing over. The worse playing conditions appeared to suit the more dashing and unorthodox methods of the younger team; they fought so tenaciously—though without much good for* tune—that they more than held their own for two-thirds of the spell. When Edendale forced the pace both teams fairly warmed up to their work, and hitting at times wan exceptionally vigorous, but the skill with which the ball was stopped during the exchanges was really wonderful. When play became so intense. there <was an element of danger in tackling, and the Edendale forwards suffered most in this respect. Mostly it came from one direction.

For Mount Eden Jaitnan played the' most scientific game in the full-back line. McLeod hit very hard at times. In the half-line Hunt did the bulk of the work in the first epell. Later the two colts, Day and Bartlett, showed up prominently.

Malcolm, in his new position at inner right, was the pick of the vanguard. Hβ had bad luck in not being awarded the goal' he actually scored. Janaen had a day off.

Amongst the Edendale backs Riekotta rose to the occasion in the second epell. Sparkes' stick-work was good, and he played well throughout. The forwards ■worked hard, but none wera better than Monteith and Davis. Graysoit spoils good work by dallying with the ball too lone. I Phillips would shape much better in the rear division. Edendale are new to senior rank, and when they acquire a grip of the principles of firet-class hockey they can rest assured of maintaining their prestige in that division.

Areta and University figured in a. cpntest by no moans of the brilliant order, yet marked by sincere efforts on the part of iboth teams to keep up the best , traditions of the game. Naturally on such a day there was a lot of big hitting, but very little sign of any extraneous vigour about it. Both elevens played hockey Hβ well as they were able under such conditions, and at times some patches of good play were exeeutei. Areta had the best of the opening stages, and -with a little dexterity in the circle might have opened their account' earlier. University made a good fight, and obtained a lead of one goal in the first spell. They further improved matters in the second half, and increased the margin to a couple of goals. Areta realised the position thereafter, and after several fruitless attempts to score at last attained success. With the total at two all matters .became more interesting, and both teams made great efforte to gain a decision. Areta had the best of it, but the -students' backs proved equal to the occasion, and a drawn game resulted.

Sloman, though not so accurate in the first spell, was much better in the second, both in hitting and defending. Brineden. diil not do so well as in "the previous match, but nevertheless accomplished: good work. Preston, at centre-half, defended well, but had a tendency to neglect the right attack. Thomas replaced Fletcher at centre forward, and as usual harassed the opposing backs with his lightning attacks. . Hough, at inner right, worked hard. Preston shaped well, and was successful in the circle.* Both wings hod a tendency to wander towarJ 6 the centre. Slade "was a tower of strength to the students' defence, holding up opposing attacks in good style and clearing .with good strokes. Reynolds' reverse work was excellent, and saved: University repeatedly in the second spell. Johns, in the half line, was seen to advantage in intercepting, hitting judiciously, and also bringing off good reverse strokes. Garrard played a good game in the front division, feeding the rest of the line cleverly. Somexs showed plenty of dash, and held the line well together. Reynolds, on the left, lent valuable assistance.