HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 200, 18 May 1908, Page 8

HOCKEY.

OPENING MATCHES. The. weatlior was dull and threatening on Saturday for the opening matehes of the season, but beyond a' shower shortly after 3 o'clock, play was not hampered. SENIOR. WELLINGTON v. Y.M.C.A. At the Athletic Park, Wellington met Y.M.C.A., and suffered an unexpected defeat. In fairness to tho defeated team, however, it should bo said that three of their selected men- were absent, and their places had to bo filled by substitutes. The forward play on both sides was good, Y.M.C.A. particularly pursuing tho ball and with good combination. Their halves showed to bettor advantage than those of tho older club, but their full backs were weaker. Once tho Wellington forwards got past tho Y.M.C.A. half-lino tho latter's goal became endangered. Wellington had hard luck in not scoring on threo or four occasions. Tho victors were keener than Wellington, and on the whole well deserted their win.

The game-opened with Y.M.C.A. on the attack, arid persistent endeavour resulted at last in a goal, scored by A.. Part-on. Wellington responded, through tho agency of Roy Brewer, and then again Y.M.C.A gained tho ascendancy, on, this occasion also by Parton's good shooting. Beore equalised for Wellington. Halfway through the second spell, Y.M.C.A. were 4 to 2, l'arton 'having scored two further goals, and it was not till near the finish that Beere shot Wellington's third goal from a difficult angle. The blues attacked strenuously, and held their opponents, but three shots at goal wont .wide, and at the end of the game thev had failed to draw level, and Y.M.C.A. walked off victors by 4 goals to 3. Tho game was played on a splendid ground, and was at times fast, interesting, and even.

,UNITED v. WESLEY,

A very interesting and well-fought, match took, place between. United and Wesley on No. 2, Day's Bay. Both teams were in good fettle, and immediately after tho bully-olf, a determined struggle began. ; Tho light blues (Wesley) gained the first advantage,'but tho position was reversed by a well-judged stroke by Ashbolt (United), and the blues were put 011 the defensive, and after some strenuous play, Burkett (United) shot nicely between the posts, the result of a corner hit. Tho blues , wore not discouraged, and'the game became ,very fast, although for some time neither/side gained'any appreciable advantage. It soon' became apparent, however, ,that the superior skill and combination of tho United team would tell heavily in their favour, although their, opponents ivere playing a very willing game, and pressed hard all the time. By a blunder on the part of tho \\ osley, goalkeeper, Burkett was again, enabled to score. Tho blues soon: returned' to tlio attack, and wore only prevented from certain scoro by the good defensive work of Pearson.- Tho second spell was also very keenly contested. ■ No further scoring took place, and tlie .Unitcds thus won by 2 to nil. Although it was clear that, the United men were superior and nioro experienced players, there could be no doubt that tho ttcsley team was composed of excellent material,'and they played all' they knew. Their anon played too much of an individual game, but time will rectify this, and they. will become a toam that; will bo hoard of. Thoy worked too lmrd for ; there to be much scoring, and the game w-as very creditable to the losers.

VIVIAN v. KARORI;

This also was a very well contested game, and lt.wasplaycd on No. 1, Day's Bay. Karori quickly, broke away and placed their opponents on tho' defensive. The invaders had several opportunities, but they were lost through' faulty driving. ; After ..ten minutes' play, Davips (ICarori) saw his. chance, and took tho' first goal. The. play then bccamo yory willing, and both sides had hard luck in failing to score,, but Vivian's chahco, came, and,' after a well sustained .attack, Thompson found tlio way between the posts,- thus equalising matters. In the. second spell, Vivian played an execollent game,- and Thompson ono, to their scoro!'. At this' stage, both-'teams were'guilty of bad'shoot-' ing, but Campbell, for. Karori, managed to scoro, and tho totals were "again even. In tho last few minutes, Vivian were penalised for a breach, and ■ a free-hit resulted; in a scoro by - Campbell, Karori thus winning by 3 to 2. . Tho Vivian team included several young players, and their forwards were lacking in combination. Tho Karori forwards, on tho contrary, combined very well. '. VICTORIA COLLEGE v. THORNDON.The match between Victoria College and Thorndon. at Day's Bay ', proved - fairly iutorosting, although it was soon apparent that tho former had the best of it. Thorndon played a good game, but their opponents woro too fast'for them. In the first spell, Smith mado, 2 and Beere 1 for .tho College, and in tho second, Smith mado 1 and Bcero 2. Turner took the only scoro for Thorndon; who were dofeated by 6 to' 1. , JUNIOR. A number -of Junior matches were. also played, au'd in several cases, promising foriu : was shown. United' v. St. Patrick's Old Boys.— Tho match' between the United and . St. Patrick's Old Boys at Day's Bay was very keen and interesting. The, Old Boys had the advantage during the first hair, Kelly and Butler each scoring 1, In the second spell, tho United representatives had the better of it, through their good centreing, "work. Pavitt made 4' and Mills 2., United won by 6to 2. ■ ■ .. ; \ ' Victoria Coljege v. Wellington.—The/abovo match was played at tho Wellington ground, Miramai;.' After. a hard struggle, this game resulted in a win for Victoria College'.by. 5 goals to. 3. The first spell, which Was: signalised 6y good attack on tho part of tho Collegians, ended at 3 goals to 1 in their favour. One of theso goals was from a penalty bully in the Wellington circle, a Wellington player stepping into the circle'before tho ball camo out. In the second spell," Wellington attacked vigorously, scoring two goals. 'They, at ono timo looked like winners, but the Collegians rallied, and soared two more goais in quick succession. Oram,; Willis, and Strack were tho College scorers, while . Price and Caldow, performed in.like manner for Wellington. J

• , THIRD-CLASS. ' St. Patrick's Collego Old Boys defeated •Wesley V 3 goals to 1. "W. and J. Ryan woro tho scorers for tho winners.. LADIES' ASSOCIATION. Saturday, although slightly, i damp and windy, was a fairly good day for the opening, of championship matches.' The grounds, taking them all round, were in good order, and the contests were very keen and interesting. - ;' SENIOR, : . Wellington v. St. John's.—This match was played on the Wellington Ground, Miramar, and resulted in a v.'in for Wellington by 4 goals to 2. Hisses Fisher and Webster, two each, scored for Wellington, and .Miss-Pull-man shot both goals for St. John's. The standard of play on both sides was fairly good, but tho Wellington team, showed the superior combination, which was particularly noticeable in tho second spell. - - St. "John!s wero leading at tho end of the first spell by '2 goals to i.' The Sb. John's Club have the makings of a good team,-but are not sufficiently well up in the art of playing a combined game, which is essential to win matches. Miss Blair, centre-half, played a good'gamo for Wellington, and' Misses Fisher .(bully) and Swindale and), Sinclair were the most conspicuous of the forward lino. Of the St. John's, Miss Pullman, (forward) played -t splendid game, but is rather- inclined to play offside. Miss S. Grevillo also played well, and moro -will .bo heard of her as the seaswi advances. Miss Brown (right-half) and' Miss Sutherland'showed good form, especially the latter, and the St. John's left full-back-'also played a good game. The Wellington nillbacks speculated a lot, which is not/ tho correct way to play to win, especially at threequarter. A full-back must be trick}' and cool, stop the ball first, and dodge tie opposing forward, and got her hit in as .jiiickly as possible. Mr. H. Wright was rofeiee. Victoria College v. Hereawa.—Thifgamo, which was flayed on the Y.M.C.A. 'ground,

Miramar, resulted in an easy win for. tho College by 8 goals to nil. Mr. Willis controlled tho game. i. Kiwi v. Petone.—This match was played on tho Recreation Ground, Petone, and .resulted in a draw, each side scoring 2-goala. Miss 6. Lawry shot both goals. for Kiwi. Mr. R. Bridge was referee. •JUNIOR. , Rambler v. Ilinemoa.—This match was won by Hinemoa by 4 goals to 1, goals being scored by Miss E. Carmichael (2) and Miss E. Harrison (2) for Hinemoa, and Miss Mackay for Ramblers. Mr. M. Pearn refereed. Wesley v. St. John's "A"—This match was. won by St. John's by 4 goals to 0, scored by Misses Patterson and Warren, two each. Miss Warren played a real good game for St. John's,- her unselfish play and passing being very conspicuous. She is capable, of filling a position in tho front rank of any senior'team. Tho Wesley left wing also played a good game. Mr. J. D. M'lnt.vre was referee. ■ Kiwi and Victoria College "B" played a drawn game, each side scoring two goals. Mr. A. Of. Henderson refereed. Greggs defeated Horeawa by 5 goals to nil. Tho scores were made by Misses Christie (2), Hoddinott, Ryan, and Kay one each.', Mr. J. Kitching was referee.. ; Victoria College "A" defeated Old Girls by 9 goals to 1., Misses Jackson (5), Blisset (3), and Johnson scored for tho College, and Miss Harkness for Old Girls. The game was very,fast. Mr. A. Patterson controlled the game.' Girls' College and St. John's "B". had a by®.. . THIRD. CLASS. ' .. Eu favourers defeated Greggs by 6 goals toml. The scores were'made by Misses Gladys Bennett (5), and >L. Dredge. Mr. J. Boal was referee. Terrace *'A" beat Victoria College by 4. goals to .nil, goals being scored by Misses Burr, bhivnan, Armstrong, and Fernandez. Misses. Armstrong, Fernandez, and Burri played well for Terrace, and Misses Stace and Billons for Victoria College. '■Mr.- L. P Leonard controlled the game. t Hinemoa beat Rambler by l' goal to nil The scorer-was Miss Stewart.' Mr. R. l! Jones was referee. '• Wesley beat Terrace "B" by 4 goals to 1, Miss Bengo scoring the whole four for Wesl ley, and Miss Hill scored for Terrace. Mr. L ' Wrigley refereed.' - ' Kia Ora defeated Roseneath at Johnson, villei Mr. J. Blair was referee.' • St. John's and Girls' College had a bye.