HOCKEY SHIELD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 144, 20 June 1932, Page 13

HOCKEY SHIELD.

THE FIRST CHALLENGE. AUCKLAND'S DECISIVE VICTORY. WAIKATO BEATEN THREE TO ONE. On a sodden ground, which, churned up badly as the game developed, the Auckland representatives gained a decisive victory by three goals to one over Waikato at Remuera on Saturday, in the first Challenge Shield match of the season. This was the first occasion that Auckland were called upon to defend the trophy since winning it from Canterbury last season. The game opened at a terrific pace, and a great battle for possession of the trophy eventuated. As play developed, Auckland gradually gained the upper hand, and, notwithstanding several sorties by the challerigers, they nad their full share of the attack. It was also apparent that their defence was quite capable of dealing with the hard cross-hitting tactics, chiefly from the left, of the_ Waikato backs, who experienced great difficulty in combating the more skilful movements of the Auckland van.

The performance of the Aucklanders was sufficient to indicate that it will require a strong combination to lift the trophy, and whether it is the beginning of a new era in shield matches remains to be seen.

•WAIKATO REPULSED.

AUCKLAND'S TACTICAL MOVEMENTS PROVE TOO CLEVER. Auckland were first away, and in a moment Fletcher was called upon to clear th« goal and then Ewan effected a clearance. Waikato "took up the running, but Wellhourne followed the ball down the line at a great speed, only to find the greens work back. A long shot brought Wattam into action, and Eric Watts attempted to get away. Twice ■ Finch cross-hit, but Parker stopping a free hit saw Anthony break away, and from the ensuing play Waikato wero cornered and C. Watts converted.

Auckland continued the attacking, Wellbourno and Watts cornering Waikato again. • Tricky stick work saw another corner and a twenty-five through C. Watts trying to land an aerial shot brought relief tu Waikato. Play hovered round the Waikato citadel with the defence unyielding to tlin sharp thrusts of the Auckland van, until half-time was called.

Auckland 1 Waikato 0 When the game restarted Waikato wore first away, but dallied too long in centring, and a free hit brought relief. Williams badly missed, and Waikato's great opportunity was nullilied by Clark coming to the rescue, McLcod iigureU prominently in sending his forwards away, and a desperate struggle in the circle saw Auckland secure a couple of corners. Despite hard hitting, Waikato were unable to raise the siege, and a pass was sent from C. Watts to E. Watts, who was surrounded, but managed to get the ball to Anthony, who produced an excellent shot which travelled fast into the net.

Auckland were again goal hunting, Reid leading an attack from the right. The centre was taken by Anthony, who was blocked in the circle, and Waikato were saved. A lot of hard hitting crept into the play, and at this stage C. Watts retired, his place being occupied by Jones. Auckland took up the attack again, and several sorties looked promising. On one occasion the ball drifted towards the goal. Fletcher came out, kicked, and missed, hut Waikato were lucky enough to watch the

ball cross the line just outside the post. Hard hitting enabled Waikato to gain the offensive, but Auckland gradually worked the leather back and a centre by Reid endangered the goal. A moment later B. Watts broke away, and, centring back to Anthony, put a high shot Into the net.

Waikato rallied and gained the circle, but were held up by Parker, and Robertson cleared. Along the right swept Auckland, the ball was swung across to the left, Wellbourne centred, back came the ball to Jones, and his shot hit the outside of the net. Ewan broke up an Auckland attack, and almost took the ball Into the circle. Clark cleared, sending the ball to Watts, to Wellbourne, and besieged the circle. Spiers removed the danger, and Waikato worked the ball into the circle, where Wattam conceded a corner, and Davis shot outside the cage. Auckland rnshed the ball to the other end, where Spiers prevented Reid from shooting to effect. Maintaining the attack, the Auckland forwards were frequently within striking distance of the goal. A corner shot was smothered, and Waikato worked along the left, only to be forced out near the goal. Craig sent a nice pass to Hammond, but it was missed, and McLeod sent upfield. Auckland launched several attacks, but the forwards could not operate with any degree of certainty on the treacherous turf. A tussle between Wellbourne and Spiers gave Munro a chance to get tho ball away, and, advancing rapidly along the left flank, reached the circle, where Spiers scored.

Auckland immediately assumed the offensive, and Anthony scratched round for a shot, but Spiers hit first, and Waikato forwards raced to the other end. Parker and Williams sent them back, and E. Watts got away, and, beating Fletcher, was knocked over close to the goal. Goodall, in passing to Craig, put Waikato on the move, and a pass inwards looked dangerous, but Robertson came to the rescue, and the game finished : Auckland 3 Waikato l Messrs. A. Williams and H. E. Watts rofereed. In a curtain-raiser Mount Eden beat Thames by 4 goals to 1.

TEAMS ENTERTAINED.

On Saturday evening the Waikat* and Auckland teams were entertained at a dinner in Hotel Auckland, Mr. L. C." Kent, president of the Auckland Hockey Association, in the chair. On behalf of the New Zealand Association Mr. Kent presented the shield to Auckland. Mr. C. Watts, captain, received the trophy. The toasts honoured were, "The King:," "The New Zealand Hockey Association,". "The Winners," "The Losers," and "The Referees."

LADIES' GAMES.

SENIOR GAMES. Mount Eden 3, beat Elgin 1. INTERMEDIATE GAMES. Papakura 5, heat Wesley 1. Clevedon 4, beat Technical 0. Y.W.C.A. A 3, l)eat Ngataringa 0. Ngaro 4, beat Mount Eden 2. JUNIOR GAMES. Wesley 5, beat Y.W.C.A. 0. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. MORRINSVILLE. Cambridge 3, beat Piako B 0. Hamilton 1, beat Piako A 0.

GAMES IN THE SOUTH.

WANGANUI. Star 4, beat Y.M.C.A. 3. Old Boys 4, beat Wesley 0. WELLINGTON. Y.M.C.A. 2, beat Wesley 1. Wellington C, beat University 2. Karori 3, beat Hutt 2. Senior B.—University A 10, beat Wesley 1; Wellington 5, beat Training College 0 ; Karori 8, beat Huia 1; Hutt 6, beat University B 2.