HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 127, 31 May 1926, Page 15

HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP.

FAST, EXCITING HOCKEY. TWO CLOSE GAMES. WESLEY DOWN STANLEY SEVEN TO NIL.. The sixth round of championship matches under the auspices of the Auckland Hockey Association, was decided at Remuera on Saturday afternoon. Although the grounds were soft, the play at times reached a high standard. Two of the games were of an exceptionally fast and interesting nature. On the main ground Areta, after a strenuous struggle against the Somerville Colts, emerged winners by a fortunate goal to nil. Somerville, after a very eloee go beat Mount Eden by 4 goals to 3, while Wesley had a runaway win by 7 goals to nil at the expense of Stanley. ONE GOAL VICTORY. COI/TS GO UNDER AFTER SPDEITO-ID EiFFORT. A free hit to Areta just after the buUy -aye the blacks a footing, but Gardner repulsed the invaders and play travelled to Areta's twenty-five. A pass from Potter to X Carter enabled the left wing to advance to the Colts* circle, where Harris blocked and Gardner cleared. Good passing by Peace, Gregson, and Preston enabled the Colts to press the blacks' defence, but the ball crossed the goal-line. An attack headed by Gregson was cleverly stopped by Davis, who returned to Savage. The centre half set his vanguard in motion and sharp passing between R. Carter. Anthony, and J. Carter severely tested the defence. The fullbacks. Harris and Gardner, made no mistakes and returned play to the half line Again the Areta vanguard attacked, but on the circle edge Harris dashed through and, with a full tosser, sent play to the blacks' twenty-five. A pass from Potter to R. Carter forced a. couple of penalty corners, but the Colts removed the danger and play returned to midfield. Savage got away and was stopped by Ayson and the Colts Immediately attacked. A penalty corner proved resulUess. A free hit brought the blanks relief, and Anthony headed for the goal. In the circle Chiplin made a clever save and play returned to the twenty-five. Again the Areta vanguard raced Into the Colts circle, but Chiplin was handy and saved with his feet. With play at the Colts' twenty-five half-time sounded with score. Upon resuming the Colts immediately attacked, and In the goal-mouth Savage saved. Headed by J. Carter and Anthony the Areta vanguard raced to the Colts' circle, a short attack ending in Ormsby lifting the ball over the net. Suddenly the Colts swung to the attack, Preston shot hard, but Wilkie saved with the pads. The ball was hit acrpsa to Gregson. and hot moments in Areta's circle followed. Wilkie made some great saves, and eventually play was shifted to midfield. The Colts were pressing hard till Ellison cleared to Potter, and passing to Hayson he raced to the circle, passed to J. Carter, who shot and netted. Areta 1, Colts 0. Roused by this reverse the Colts came with a series of sudden onslaughts. Preston sent in a hard shot, which Wilkie checked, and a scramble ensued in the goal-mouth, but the blacks saved. A few moments later Sawyers, Lee, and Preston again tested Wilkie, and a penalty corner resulted. A free hit temporarily relieved the blacks, but Sawyers was quickly back, and with a hard shot Just missed the net. Time was called. Areta „., \ Colts ...«. 0 Messrs. F. Nlcholeon and C*aw«b.aw were referees. A CLOSE STRUGGLE. MOUNT EiDEX EXTEND SOMERVILLE TO THE END. Mount Eden opened the attack, which A. Rogers nullified and play drifted into the Mount Eden twenty-five. A free hit brought relief, and a nice bit of passing between Woolford. Fletcher and Alexander looked promising; Baildon was in and Somerville took the leather into Mount Eden territory through the agency of Edwards. Close play followed in the vicinity of the brown circle nntil a long hit allowed Woolford to make progresa Boberts countered and C. Watts was prominent In a promising movement. From a centre by H. Watts, Seccombe found the net Somer ville 1. Mount Eden 0. Mount Eden made several attacks, but the hitting was too hard. Edwards and C. Watts relieved the pressure, but the shot went wide. Good work by Kelly took the leather Into Somerville's twenty-five, and after Roberts cleared, Hedges sent the ball nicely to Alexander and he cleverly goaled. Somerville 1, Mount Eden 1.

Both teams took turns at attacking, and Mount Eden launched a severe onslaught which Cole and Balldon nullified. A moment later C. Watts, taking a pass from the right, shot at a one-man goal, but the one man settled the effort, and respite came in the way orf a free hit, and the spell ended with play in the Mount circle.

After the change over, Mount Eden took up tha running, and although repulsed by Balldon came again, and from sharp work in the circle Alexander scored. Mount Eden 2, Somerville 1. Somerville immediately retaliated, and C. Watts shot from long range. Play proceeded at a great pace, and warm work in *he circle caused Mount Eden no end of anxiety. A fine shot by Hedges Alexander a chance, bat stick* by Roberts produced a free hit. Good work by .Rogers and Cole set Somerville in motion, and Mount Eden were cornered. OCarroll stopped C. Watts with hie head at the expense of another corner. Maintaining the pressure, C. Watts evened. Somerville 2, Mount Eden 2. The Somerville forwards attacked desperately, and the Mount Eden defence suffered, but the boarders were repelled at the expense of a couple of corners. However, the whites were not to be denied, and after strenuous work in the circle Edwards netted. Somerville 3, Mount Eden 2. Mount Eden took up the attack, but Balldon was in the way, and Rogers further Improved, from a scrimmage in the circle. C. Watts goaled. Somerville 4, Mount Eden 2. A loose attack by Mount Eden cornered Somerville, and hard in the circle Rankin- drove the ball into the net. Somerville 4, Mount Eden 3. A little later a centre by Kelly cornered the whites. Claudet cleared, and on the call of time O'Carroll ran out and Just managed to stop a Somerville attack. Somerville 4 Mount Eden 3 Mr. C. H. S. Smith refereed. STANLEY LOSE AGAIN. WESLEY FORWARDS RUN* UP A BIG SCORE. Stanley at once began to attack strongly. A free hit for Wesley relieved and the play was carried up Held. From play Immediately following a short corner, Wesley shot for home, but the ball hit the posts. The attacking now fell to Wesley. From a roll in the ball went to Anderson, who tapped into the circle to Jones, whose shot was stopped in the goal's mouth. Mallwotod soon put the greens on the attack again. The hall travelled into the circle, but once again >'ason repulsed the attack. Wesley continued their attack. The ball crossed the circle near to the goal's mouth, and Nason in an attempt to hit it clear sent it into the corner of the net. Just on time A. M. Burton was able to notch his second

On resuming, play remained about the half line for the opening live minutes. The preens then began to attack. A high shot of HailwoocTs from the right of the circle just entered the net. From the bnlly, play at once returned to Stanley's circle. From the left, A. M. Burton Sicked the ball into the air. It hit the top bar of the net and was diverted in. Wesley were now settling down. Two more goals were added in quick succession by A. B. Burton and by Fitt. Stanley now took a turn on the attack, Jiines ibeing prominent in the effort to find the net. Hallwood. how-, ever, relieved by another of his runs down the line. Stanley recovered the ball and came back to their opponent's circle with renewed energy. The ball then travelled the length of the held, but only to be brought back again when a shot by MtllaF was disallowed through off-side play. Time saw play in midfield, both teams struggling hard for the control of the ball.