HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 157, 3 July 1917, Page 3

HOCKEY.

Interest in the fight for the Auckland Hockey Association's senior championship is well maintained. Only a couple of weeks ago three of the four teams were on level terms. The last series of the second round brought Mount Eden to the top of the list. The result .of the matches just concluded necessitated last year's champions dropping back to second place, and Areta went up top, with nine points to their credit. Universrty remained as they were, but Edendala advanced two points without changing their place. The grounds were rather soft after the recent rains, and by no means conducive to good hockey," and one or two patAies on the ground in front of the pavilion hampered proceedings a good deal. Nevertheless, two very keen struggles eventuated, and not the least interesting was the fixture between Areta and Mount Eden, which terminated in a victory for the former by the odd goal in five. On the adjoining ground Edcndale obtained their second win of the season at the expense of University, the scores being similar. __ The match between Areta and Mount Eden was stubbornly contested. Areta were first on the move, and though it was not long before Mount Eden warmed up. the latter had little or no hope of victory. Jn the closing stages Areta were very severely penalised, and under the circumstances it was rather remarkable that they managed to win through. For the winners, Sloman was easily the best back on the ground. The halves \\ert> at a disadvantage owing to the state of the turf. Preston was safe, and Bishop did good work with the stick, even using the wrong side cleverly without getting into trouble. Amongst the forwards. Fletcher, at inner right, had a good deal of ground to cover owing to a weak right. Preston and Thomas were good individually. Westwood played excellently on the wing. Amongst the Mount Eden forwards Alexander and Whittakor did good work. Malcolm served up some nice centres. Jarinan played splendidly at full-back, and McUeod rendered good service in the same department. The Edendale-University encounter was not of a very fast order; nevertheless, it was an even struggle, and either side might have been victorious. as plnv drifted from end to end at intervals, and both sides lost chances of scoring. The Edeiulale van worked fairly well at times, but there seeim; to be a gofK 'leal of uncertainty at times about meir attacks, probably the ground having something to do with it. The backs were steadier. The students' Jinc did not work nearly so well as in previous matches, nor was it so dangerous—no doubt Somers would have made a difference. It was also some time before the backs got into their stride. Edendale owe a good deal to Kowe for their victory, as he scored all three goals. The rest of the line worked hard, Rankin showed out .best in the half line while Reckell, at full-back, was also seen'to advantage. Amongst the University forwards Carr was the most prominent, and the two wings, Harman and Garrard, also performed well. Waddingham proved to be the best half out of the six. Slade was in better form in the second spell. Faweett, despite three goals against him, kept the sticks splendidly.