HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 265, 1 August 1908, Page 9

HOCKEY.

[Bi Driver.] The sccond round of the champiouship hockey matches wero continued on Saturday last in fino weather. Most of tho matches wore keenly contested, and all were interesting. however, centred on tho United-Karori fixture, which was played on No. 1 ground, Day's Bay. Tho previous match resulted in'a draw, and tho samo thing recurred. Owing to Karori's defeat by Wesloy at the Athletic Park, United aro still leading by two points, and provided they beat Wesley to-day, tho veterans may bo regarded as having once more como out on top. It is, however, not at all certain.that they will beat Wesley, and if they do, it will bo by a narrow margin only. Tho first match of tlio season was played between United and Wesley, and tho champions only won by 2to 1. Since then, the Wcsleyans have rapidly improved, and combination is now one. of their strongest points. 1 Tho contest between Karori and United on Saturday was played under very fair conditions, considering the unsettled state of iho weather, and notwithstanding tho ten-' deucy of; tho ground to bo soft, the game, from a spectacular point of view, was exceedingly fast, and held the excited interest of a 1 fair crowd_ of spectators from start to' finish. Comparing tho gamo with the ono played between tho two teams some weeks ago, it must bo admitted that Saturday's match was_ the bettor of tho two, both, teams playing a moro open game, and showing superior dash and combination.. The pleasure of tho contest was somewhat marred by frequent breaches of tho obstruction rule, and the referee might with advantage have early in the game warned two or three of the players who persistently and, : as it "appeared, doliborately obstructed This; evil has been most apparent in recent matches, and it behoves tho Referees' Association _ when next they meet to decide upon'.taking moro drastic steps to deal with foul play. Getting hack to the plav again, it must be allowed that United had tho best of tho first spell. Their forwards, with tho able assistance of tho half-backs, got into Karori's circle time and again, and it was only tho bad shooting that prevented a score. Birkott was particularly poor in the circle, and Hollis did not accept his opportunities. Tho Blacks looked dangerous sevoral times '■ near tho Red's goal, but the sound defence of the backs prevented chances of scoring. Tho second spell was even faster than tho first, and tho Karori forwards proved themselves better stayers than their opponents'. Both teams lost chances to' score (luring this half, Murphy and Willis going very near to tho posts. Karori's first goal was from' a corner hit. The' Red forwards forgot their business, and stayed round tho goal after tho hit instead of rushing .out. Consequently thero was a scramblo in tho goal mouth,, and a' goal-keeper has no chance of seeing the ball under these conditions. For Karori, 'in the forward line, Murphy played a solid game,. as did'Willis, ■ wliilo Putnam proved very useful. Neither Davies nor Fulton aro playing as well as they can do, and it is hoped they will strike form very soon.

In the half lino, Campbell was good, but not quite so reliable as in tho previous' match. Cathie and Davies might to advantage keep lip more with their forwards on the attack. " \ , Spiers was unfortunato enough to be injured over the eye, but notwithstanding, ho played a very serviceable game. Symtho was the pick of the Red forwards, his work being invaluable. Organ and Mollis ,gavo good displays, the former proving miich moro effective by getting rid of the ball quicker. Birkett and Elliott were only fair, the latter apparently not feeling in form. Ashbolt, the wing half, must keep up with his forwards; ho docs'nt givo them a chance. King played well, but it's a pity he roams out of position so much. Exloy was the pick of the half line. Pearson's display was a very sound' one,: and' lie was a' tower of strength. Hickson and Ashbolt as usual did a lot of solid work.

_On this day week, the local- representatives meet Wairarapa on No. 1 ground. Last year these two provinces met at Mas-tc-rton, and the_ gamo resulted in a draw, consequently it is reasonable to expect that a very close match' will result.

. It is 1 understood that several of our prominent players have already got leave to make tho Auckland trip, and tho selectors feel confident that a good team can be got away. Tho following aro hazarded from the men available Forwards: Smythe, Davies, Parton, Elliott, Willis; half-backs: Exley, Campbell, Cathie; backs:' Brewer, Hickson; goal: Pearson.

It has now been practically decided that Wellington..will, send a team on tour, anda match for tho Shield will be played at Auckland aon September 5. Matches with Wayganui and Taranaki are to bo played on the way up. The team will bo finally picked a(ter to-day's matches. The proposal to havo a trial match before sending.tie team on tour does not meet with the favour of the committee. They say that the purposo will be served to somo extent as, the team to bo chosen will play against Wairaraua on August S, and there is the match against Thames• later in tho month... Taranaki'and Wanganm aro to bo played, and thus four matcnes will be played before our representatives meet the redoubtable Aucklanders.. If tho cup matches aro finished by August 29, it is possible that a team will be picked to combat tho representative team. That seems to be tho only possibility of a trial match. The touring team should leave on the following Monday. Regarding the proposed visit from an Eng-' lish representative team, Mr. W. E. Pearson,' socretary of the Wellington Association, has received a letter on tho subject. It stated: that the Englishmen proposo to send out seventeen mon. The sum of £3250 or £3500 is mentioned, but it does not say whether the New Zealanders aro oxnected to find tho whole of this amount. If this is intended (which is improbable) the trip will not bo likely to eventuate, as even with considerable trouble, only between £1200 and £1500 could be collected here. It is to be hoped, however, that the trip will be made, for it would be a good thing for us. Tho visitors would bo undoubtedly first-class players, and somo of tho best counties should bo ahead of us. Several of our players havo taken part in international matclios in Groat Britain, and wo should be able to hold our end up.

An interesting match took placo between Wellington and Wesley 011 Saturday, tho latter winning by 3 to 2. Ulrich, who was slightly injured in the match against Vivian 011 Saturday fortnight, was absent from the Wellington team, and it to be hoped he will be availablo for this afternoon. Tho Wosleyans wore in grand condition. Christie, tho Wesley captain, played a great game. Tlio play was fast and open, but thero was no particularly brilliant play. Ono defect was that. there was too much off-side play on both sides, and it was through this that one of tho loser's goals was scored. Wellington meets Karori this afternoon, and if the former can put a full team in tho field, they should make a. good showing. The "Canterbury Times" has the following:—"Tho only representative game in sight at present is Canterbury v. . Otago, which game will bo played at Dunedin on August 22. Tho local selectors havo shown what a strong team they can put into tho field this season, and Otacjo will want their best to win next month. Tlie.team that went north, although not the ono originally selected, performed very creditably indeed, and although the result of tho Shield match is to be rogrettcd from a Canterbury point of view, not a littlo satisfaction is expressed at the shaking-lip accorded to the threo teams met on the northern tour. It always takes a good eleven to beat Wellington on their own ground, and in the opinion of somo, had Canterbury played both Wellington and Taranaki prior to meeting Auckland tho combination tho local "representatives would havo acquired would havo mado them still moro than a match for tho Shield holders."

The simplo life craze appears to be dying n natural death. It combined a fashionable fad with a rest which was sorely needed by jaded nerves, and,- having served its end it is .naturally ,dropped in favour of something moro cxciting.—"The Weekly Dispatch."