HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 155, 1 July 1919, Page 8

HOCKEY.

The eighth series of matches in conleetion with the senior championship ixturcs was played last Saturday afterloon when College Rifles, continued :heir sequence of successes, defeating Kdcndale by four goals to one. Univer-sity,-with a" score of five goals, accounted for Mt. Eden by one goal, after the best rame witnessed at Remuera this season. Ponsonby beat Areta by one goal to nil, while' St. Luke's and Training College drew with four goals apiece. Cioals were plentiful during the afternoon, no lees than _:' being registered in four matches. Without the least shadow of doubt the contest between University and Mt. Eden provided the best display of the season. From 6tart to finish both teams worked on scientific methods and the game was invariably fast and open. It was a very even fight and until the card showed three goals all the scores came alternately, with Mt. Eden leading the way. With the fortunes of the contestants subject to so many fluctuations the struggle became keener and more strenuous as the game progressed, and towards the closing stages, when the score was four 411, w-as brimful of incident and excitement. Both teams made desperate attacks to gain the verdict, and there were several very narrow squeaks at each goal. An exceedingly fast pace was maintained throughout the game, and defence w_s changed to attack with lightning rapidity. . The students upheld all their traditions in opening up the game, and, although Mount Eden did not knock the ball about, so freely on the left flank, they accomplished some excellent work on the right of the line. _>lount Eden were sadly handicapped owing to Avery being injured, and, without detracting from the merits of the students' victory, it

can be stated that they had an open goal in front of them towards the end. With very few exceptions the members of both teams played at the top of their form. The most noticeable of the winners' vanguard were Grice and Waddingham, and they were well catered for lby*Carr, who lost no chance to open up the game. The half-backs rose to the occasion, while Rennie played a fine game at full-back, his reverse stroke being much in evidence. The Mount Eden forward line played a dashing game. Led by Johns, who fed the line most judiciously, there was invariably danger in their movements. Alexander and Rankin accomplished an immense amount of work in good style. The halves were up against a stiff proposition, and came through the ordeal with much credit, Hunt performing best- King, at full-back, played his best game of lis, season. ] The game between College Rifles and Edendnle was not by any means a s/tentific encounter —in fact, it was a poor display of a very vigorous order. College frequently attempted i 6 bring some of their characteristic movements, but the electric and hard hitting of their opponents completely upset their calculations. It not only spoilt the combinaj tion of the Rifles, but the hard hitting gave their forwards little opportunity of conducting attacks. College Rifles scored three goals in the first spell, but in the second only managed to notch another, while Edendale just managed to open their account. However, College Rifles had the better of the |jimo throughout, and it was only on one or two occasions that their goal was really in danger. On the Domain St. Luke's and Training College participated in a game that was drawn. Tn the first spell the Students had considerably the better of the argument, but after the change over St. Luke's, who were playing shorthanded, filled the vacancy, and performed much •better. The Training College goalie relieved some critical situations. The fullbacks were fair. Boswell showed up best ill the half-lino, while Macken and Scherer were the hest of the forwards. For St. Luke's Duncan nnd Dickson were the pick of the forwards. The hacks were not up to their usual form, and perhaps MeLeod was the best, llanna was caught napping on a couple of occasions. The only substantial difference between Ponsonby nnd Areta was a goal to the former just after the game opened. Thereafter, Areta had plenty of chances to make good, but their efforts at goal-scoring were very weak. The Ponsonby goalie, Baxter, was safe when anything came along. The two fullhacks, Steele nnd Ryan, played well, the former showing to better advantage. Of [a moderate half-line, Crawshaw, though j patchy, was the best, while Holland, iDarby and Satchell were the. qiost con-

spicuous of the forwards. HaUam kept i goal in good style for Areta, and Elli-: son's game at full-back was excellent. I Nicholson speculated with success. Thej halves shaped well, Robinson's reverse stickwork being clever. The forwards were not a striking factor, Cooper, aj junior, dealing up some excellent cen-1 tree, which frequently went begging.