HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 288, 29 August 1908, Page 9

HOCKEY.

■ [By Driver.] The championship hockey matches were continued in perfect weather on Saturday last.. : The sonior matches were played as usual, but in none of them was there an exhibition, of good hockey. The .contest between Wesley and Victoria College was determinedly fought, but the play was scrappy in the extreme. Neither team showed much form, each seeming- to be taldng an off day. Of the two, however, the Collegians seemed to have the advantage, and their win was deserved. It has been decided to continue the' championship matches' after the return of the touring team, and.it is only fair to give College a chance of having a cut at' the victorious Unit-eds. A match that may bo termed peculiar was played on No. 2 ground between Karori and 01.C.A. The former, of course, won, but the unusual feature of the game was that the losers were more frequently on the attack :than their opponents. This was particularly noticeable in the second, spell. It may have been that Karori were resting on their oars, but Y.M.C.A. played a credit-, able game.

No. 1 ground was in very good order for the United-Vivian. fixture, and, all considered, -this contest should have proved a more interesting one. • Vivian did not show the combination and: dash they exhibited earlier in tho season, and they were rather slow, in ; taking advantage of openings. They should, have seized at least two ■ good opportunities of scoring. In the forward line Donovan, on the wing, did splendid work in carrying the ball right, down the , line and centring with judgment. Thompson was pro-, minent at centre, and worked very' hard. He is a most valuable man in the circle,, as he invariably' follows up his stroke, , and also very often the hits of his other forwards. It is a pity some of our other prominent front liners don't adopt his splendid example, as it is most effective for. goal-get-ting. • . 'The Vivian full-backs wore rather much inclined to find the line instead of opening the game up by feeding their forwards. Sanders in goal was a ; treat to watch, and it is very gratifying to find he can make, the Northern trip at such short notice. : The United forward line played, up pretty well all round, Birkett, in spite of a dam-, aged wrist, doing a lot of good work. Elliott enhanced his value considerably by his play in the field. May he repeat it in Auckland.' The half-line was in fine form. L. .Ashbolt, however, should have given more attentionl to :spoiling Donovan's work. Vdn : Sturmer's exhibition at full-back ,was- ! .very sound. Ho"is-"still young, and:.show's 'great promise:' Luckioj'. in goal, .proved "a . .very serviceable substitute for Pearson. '

The announcement of the untimely indisposition of Mr,, Pearson will bo received with; sincere regret by all local hockey enthusiasts. He has been connected with the game since it started in Wellington, and in hiß capacity as captain of tho United team and secretary of the association his untiring energy in the interests of hockey has done much towards making the game so popular in, this! city. His illness is particularly unfortunate, coming' on the eve of 'the Northern tour, and' much'sympathy and regret is felt at his, having to forego tho trip.The team chosen to play a trial match with the representatives is announced, aud, on paper, looks fairly formidable. But why. is Organ omitted ? Ho has' been playing really well of lato, and would have strengthened tho forwaird line considerably; in fact, his inclusion w'ould probably have made'this line-a stronger combination than'that of the touring team. .'Tlie half line is a good ono s the' weakness'- being in -the, backs.... ; The team' leaves on Monday morning, and plays the Wanganui representatives on Tuesday, Taranaki on Thursday, and Auckland on Saturday. .. .. ' It is said that Wanganui sent a man to : watch tho late match, Wellington v.' Wairarapa, in the interests of that association, in view of _ their coming fixture with Weljington. His opinion as given to that body, it is understood, could hardly be mistaken for flattering, and it rests with ■ the local team ■to> redeem a lost character -when 'in that town.

Interest centres on the Auckland match on Saturday next. It is very unfortunate that F. Ashbolfc cannot get away,' as be arid Hickson are a wonderful combination., TJndor the 1 circumstances, ' the selectors have done the right thing, in. putting Brewer'-in his place, and, judging by his recent play, he can be relied upon to give a good account of himself. Tho men are hopeful, and are determined to do their best. Tho referee for .the match will be chosen at Auckland; it is a pity that tho. proposal of having two referees was not brought up. An unprecedented interest (says a writer ,in tho Auckland " Horald ") is being taken/in the match between Auckland and Wellington, at Victoria Park, on September s;' and, provided that ,the weather- be fine,'-a record attendance , for a hockey-fixture in Now Zealand is assured., One enthusiast, I am. informed. has made a wager that he will dispose of 200 one-shilling tickets.- The challenge shield is at stake, and as the Welling; ton team will meet Wanganui and Taranaki on tho way up they should be in splendid fettle when they reach this city. The match of the year may thus be confidently anticipated. Wanganui sends a team to Auckland to play on September 12. The local association has forwarded a letter to Auckland with a request that no effort ,bo mado to entertain the visitors. For some years past . WoUington has, discountenanced entertaining, as it is not good for the'teams. The most, important event in Canterbury ladies hockoy this weolt is tlio interprovincial match with Otago. This is in all probability the first ladies' interprovincial match evor played in New Zealand,, and tho fixture is being looked.forward, to. with.considerable interest. ; In all probability a Canterbury team'will be sent up to Wellington - for the tournament. If so, it wiU;be leaving Christchurch on Thursday. Tho team will be chosen after the Otago match to-day. ' Club feeling seems to bo giving some trouble in Christchurch (says tho "Weekly Press"). Tho writer says:—"The question of granting permission to the Sydenham Club to send a team over to the West Coast at tho end of the month was brought up at last week's meeting of the Canterbury Hockey Association's executive. It was decided, after a somewhat heated discussion that the club bo allowed to send a team over on condition that no player should bo included in the team who had refused to accept a position in the Canterbury representative team picked to play, against Otago. This appears to mo to.be a'very just condition, for it has been rumoured that there is at least ono player who refused'to tako the trip to Dunedin, as.-ho could not"get'away for both that trip and-the ! ono to' tho West Coast, and every true sport should place his provinco before his club." On account of the wet weather on Wednesday, tho Wednesday Association's fixtures wcro postponed." ,- /.