HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 191, 14 August 1922, Page 2

HOCKEY.

FIRST SHIELD MATCH. WAIKATO V. AUCKLAND. FIXE DISPLAY BY VISITORS. The first championship challenge, shield match of tire season was played at Rrmuern on Saturday, when the Waikato representatives made their third bid for the coveted trophy. Splendid weather conditions prevailed, 'out the ground though fast was inclined to bump, and several movements in conjunction were spoiled by the inability ot the performers to judge the vagaries of the ball. Contrary to expectations in local circles, the Waikatoites fully extended the Aucklanders, and it required all the resources of the home team to maintain their grip of the shield. Play throughout was fast, exciting, and brimful of incident, marked by the strenuous efforts of both teams to obtain the upper hand. There were occasions when both teams appeared on the verge of scoring, yet, apart from the brilliant goalkeoping. were foiled by some unexpected development which upset the calculations and intentions of the goal hunters. When the game first started it seemed aa if an easy victory w-as at hand for the defenders of the Shield, but as soon as the challengers got the measure ol the ground and warmed to their work the situation assumed quite a different aspect. The game contained some brilliant stick work, and although the outcome of this work did not always materialise it was more on account of the tricky nature of the ground than of the dexterity of the opposing players. On I lie tiny and the ground the result just about sums up the respective merits of the two teams. The attacks were well divided, but there was a marked contrast in the engineering of the movements. The Aucklanders' efforts were the outcome of more scientific methods, while those of Waikato were marked by less orthodox play. Auckland scored early in the game, but it was not until the closing stages of the first spell that Waikato equalised, and just on tlie call of time ga'mei the leail. Auckland regained the lead well on in the second spell, and by a coincidence Waikato equalised on tin ci'll of lime. The game was a gallant Kg lit by tbe challengers to wrest the shield from their doughty and veteran opponents. Of the individual players Fletcher, the Wai kali, custodian, was brilliant, and his footwork was a treat to watch. His efforts considerably assisted to tho team's success. Nicholson and McGregor were a sound pair of lull-backs, aud McGregor's splendid defensive wo r k calls for special mention. (Joodwin and Thomas were the best of the halves, while forward Finch. Menzies and Filt caught the eye most. Cooper, as the Auckland goalie, did v lot of fine work, but the full-backs. Speight and England, w.'ro off colour on the day. McLeod was tlie best of the halves. Steele was' a good support, but it was late in the nittie before Johns showed prominentia-. The only forward to claim mention is A. Alexander. WAIKATO V. AUCKLAND. The game opened by Steele and Hanian hreaklng away along the left, but a iree hit checked the shield holders. However. Hookham centred from the right, and from the ensuing play scored first goal for Auckland, one minute after the start. Aucklaud 1. Waikato 0. Auckland continued on the aggressive. Thomas temporarily relieved, hut C. Watts sent a pass out to the left. and the ball reached the vicinity of the Waikato goal line. A free hit brought relief to the hunters, and a long hit by , Pitt gave Waikato a chance of invasion. Thomas and Booth srreaked for the circle. but Speight with a reverse stroke put the hall out of danger. A big hit b.v Alexander shifted operations to halfway. Waikato came away again, and after a brief skirmish in the circle the hall went out to I-'itt. He made no mistake about thw power behltid the stroke, but Cooper saved . brilliantly. However, the whistle sounded, and Auckland were awarded a free hit. Loose work amongst the local forwards transferred the scene of operations to the opposite end. where Fletcher came out of goal and stopped a hot shot. The holders still advanced, and it was only brilliant work by Fletcher ln goal that kept the score down. A free hit in the circle gave Waikato a little respite however. Auckland were soon again goal-hunting. Mciirogor smothered a passing rush between Watts brothers at the expense of n corner, and from the ensuing play Harinan hail a shot which missed, nnd a little later Alexander "swung.'' but Ills shot was smothered. (Jood work by Nicholson relieved Hie situation, and after play had changed ends England hit high Into the pavilion enclosure. When the ball returned into play Goodwin was conspicuous In stemming the Auckland attack, but Waikato were forced to concede a corner, as the result of close work in the circle. Pitt smothered Auckland's attempt to score, and the forwards followed up, evaded the Auckland defence, and Eitt had the honour of scoring first goal for Waikato after twenty-four minutes' play. Waikato 1, Auckland 1. A loose Waikato attack along the left was stopped by England, and then the Auckland forwards indulged In several spasmodic sorties which brought. Fletcher into action, and from the resultant tilav Waikato penned Auckland Inside the halfway and made several desperate attempts to lain a foothold in the holder's circle. Waikato renewed the attack after a free hit. :ind close piny In the Auckland circle followed. Cioodwin nipped in. and. seizing an opportunity, hit the ball through I the •■bunch" and scored, hist prior to half-time being called. Waikato 2. Auckland I. I SECOND ''PELL. A minute before four o'clock the game ; restarted. Menzies breaking away from ihe bully. The attack was short-lived, as ! tne Auckland backs promptly cleared, and | clever stick work by Alexander enabled tne I Aucklanders to reach the circle. A free hit to Auckland went to Alexander, who beat M.ilregor. and Hookham joining. j made the scores even. Auckland 2, WaiI kitto -. A nice sortie along the right I Hank put Auckland on the defensive, hut I Cooper came to the rescue. A moment | later Waikato were in a nice position, but Goodwin took tun long to make up his mind to scoop, and the chance was lost, .lohns was responsible for the clearance. Watts got away ami look the ball into the circle, where Fletcher kicked nut. Auckland renewed the attack, and c. Watts invading Ihe circle, drew the Waikato hrlllinct on lii' nn.l scored with a splendid reverse shot. Auckland 11. Waikato 2. For i a while play hung in the Waikato terri- | I.tv. An exchange of hits between Nicholson an.l Mcl.eo.l saw the leather out in th» Waikato half. Tli» greens made a strong :ittn.-k. .mid. getting within striking illsi t.-inee. the ball travelled along the right of the forward line, and Till just managed to hit the ball into cage again, making the Auckland .-, Waikato :: Messrs <;. Hunter and 1.. H. Norton referee.!. WAIKATO B V. AUCK. JUNIORS. As a curtain raiser to the shield match the Waikato It representatives met the Auckland Junior representatives, and the huino team scored a win by 7> goals to 1.