HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 295, 7 September 1908, Page 8

HOCKEY.

MATCH FOR THE SHIELD. AUCKLAND DEFEATS WELLINGTON. FAST OPEN GAME. ' (BT TELEQUAPn.—SPECIAL COIIRKSI'ON'DF.N'T.) Auckland, September 6. The Wellington hockey team endeavoured to wrest tho New Zealand Association's championship challengo shield from Auckland yesterday, but without success, they being defeated by two goals to nil. The match was played at Victoria Park in tho presenco of about 3000 spectators, and proved a pretty one to watch, tho ground being as level as a billiard table. Tho weather was ideal, bright sunshine and a moderate north-east wind lending an exhilarating touch to tho spring aif. Immediately after tho bully-off, which was in Wellington's favour, tho visitors, headed by Elliott and Thompson, attacked strongly, only to bo driven back by Badham and Shirriffs. Barry and Welhani then invaded Wellington's territory, and Brewer saved well. Tho Aucklanders returned to the attack, and good work by Mason and Barry saw tho latter's shot go wide of tho net. Srnytho next mado a strong run along the wing and centred finely, but Speight intercepted and sent play back t-o mid-iield. For somo minutes, the .Wellington forwards sot up a warm attack on Auckland's goal, their efforts to score being frustrated, however, by tho fine play of tho local full-backs. Their forwards, too, lost much time in fielding the ball with their hands. The Aucklanders then took up tho attack, but their shooting was faulty. From a corner hit Mason put in a fine shot, which Sanders stopped in great stylo. A couple of accidents then occurred, Barry receiving a nasty cut on tho forehead from an opponent's stick, and Campbell getting the full force of a terrific shot at goal by Mason on the knee. After play had been stopped for about five minutes, tho gamo proceeded. Smythe and Dixon headed a strong Wellington rush, which was well stopped by tho local backs. Auckland then returned to their opponents' territory, and a neat piece of passing between Brooke-Smith, Mather, Mason, and Barry saw tho latter shoot a pretty goal, tho score thus reading: Auckland, 1; Wellington, 0. Wellington livened up after this, and good work- by Elliott and Willis placed Auckland on the defensive. In an endeavour to clear, Speight conceded a> corner, but beforo tho visitors, had tirno to take the 1 hit, half-time was sounded, leaving Auckland ahead by one goal to nil.

With ends changed, and tho sun and what little wind there was in their favour, the homo team exhibited great dash, the forwards in particular playing splendidly. This spell was entirely in Auckland's favour,'but the shooting of their forwards loft room for ..considerably improvement. Brewer and Hickson proved great stumbling-blocks, their hitting being brilliant at times. In this half only one goal was scored, and that by Auck-' land, it being the result of some good work: Barry got the ball near halfway, and after dribbling a short distance, passed to Mather, who, raced into the circle and took a backhand shot at goal, whiph Sanders stopped, but Br. oke-Smith dashing lip drove tho ball into tho net. No other score resulted dtiring tho game.

There is no doubt that tho better team won. Tho Aucklandors, who ■■■have been playing hard matches in defence of the shield for weeks past, proving themselves superior on the day's play in almost every department. For Wellington, Sanders (in 'goal) brought off two very fine saves. As to tho full-backs, taken all through, Brewer, on the right, was tho bettor, although Hickson played magnificently towards tho finish, when lie became more accustomed to his position. Campbell was tho pick of the half lino, but ho marred his display by giving sticks frequently. Exley and Christie wore lioth good, and of tho forwards Smytho played a groat game, bis ' centring being hard and accurate. He badly beat the. Auckland fullback, Shirriffs, oil one occasion, and had bard luck in not scoring. Elliott's work was characterised by neatness, . while Willis, Thompson, and Dixon shaped very fairly. As a team, tho visitors kept their places better than their, opponents, but the latter showed much more dash.

Of tho Auckland team, Howell, in goal, touched tho ball on but one occasion. The fnil-backs, Shirriffs and Speight, wero very good, tho latter being the better oil the day's play, although Shirriffs's tackling was as brilliant as over. Badliam was tho pick of a' good defensive half-back lino, which did not keep near enough to its forwards when oil tho attack. Of the forwards, Barry, Mason, Mather, and Brooke-Smith were always prominent, the performance of tho firstnamed being especially good ill view of his injury/ and Brooke-Smith and Mather were noticeable for their clever stick play, they apparently being able to uso tho toe of . their stick with as much ease as tho front. Mr. W. E. Robinson, of tho local Referees' Association, controlled the game. After the match both teams dined together at the Imperial Hotel. The visitors, who made themselves extremely popular during their stay here, left for the south via New Plymouth this afte'rnoon, and were farewelled at Onehunga. by a large number of players and enthusiasts. THE TARANAKI-WELLINGTON MATCH. Our special correspondent forwards the following criticism of tho match played by tho Wellington Representatives at Taranaki on Thursday. "The team arrived in New Plymouth on Wednesday evening, all well and sound'except Elliott, who sustained a blow upon the knee, which is likely to slightly hamper him for tho Auckland game. "Tho game was played under a cloudless sky, with tho temperature much too high for a fast hockey match. Tho ground was a big improvement upon tho Wanganui ones/ and tho team, particularly the forwards, were much more at homo on it. Reid, .tho extra half-back, was played, Exley, on the left, standing down. . Mr. Robertson had control of tho gamo, and he proved most fair.

Taranaki had a very good team in tho field, and they proved themselves a very formidable foe. i'rom the start, the ball was passed about vory rapidly, and the Wellington forwards very-quickly got the strength of the ground, and woro able to take passes on the lly, directing their shots with much more effect than at Wanganui. Smytho was particularly happy on tho wing, and successfully piloted the ball several times right over to Willis on tho opposite wing, which proved rather disconcerting to the local men. Willis was very prominent right through, and worked like a Trojan. Ho had vory hard luck ill sending a good hit just over the bar of the goal, whilo on another occasion but for his slipping, a goal seemed inevitable. Elliott was prominent at times, but was not' as reliable as usual. Thompson was tho weakness in front, while Dixon was less dashing than usual. He was the means of scoring the only goal, which certainly was a good effort. ' Christie was doing his best on the day; Campbell and Rcid proved much more effective, particularly on tho defence. Hickson was very solid, and was tho chief stumbling-block for Taranaki. ; Brewer worked hard, and certainly did more than at Wanganui. Sanders in goal did not liavo a great deal to do, and made no mistakes. JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS. Y.M.C.A. defeated Vivian on Saturday by 12 to _ nil, thus securing the championship for this season. LADIES' TOURNAMENT. Despite the threatening weather 011 Saturday, a very largo number of people made the trip across the harbour in the afternoon to witness tho continuation of tho ladies' hockey tournament. Practically 110 rain fell, and later in tho day the weather improve and became ideal for hockey. The grounds were in good condition, very little raill apparently having fallen at tho Bay. Tho

matches wero all interesting, particular attention being centred on tho CanterburyWellington fixture on No. 1 ground. It will .bo regretted that tho Canterbury girls have to return South to-morrow evening. SENIOR. CANTERBURY (4) v. WELLINGTON A (0). Tho Canterbury-Wellington fixture was played oil No. 1 ground, and tho game proved very fast and interesting. Tho attcndanco was, perhaps, tho largest soon at a hockey match in Wellington, and tho form displayed by both sides came as a great surprise to thoso present. Canterbury showed improved form on their previous day's play, and their combination was also much better. Right from tho commencement it was evident that they were the better team, but Wellington put up a good fight against what wore big odds. Miss Fleet proved herself a most able goalkeeper for Wellington, and sho staved oif several warm attacks, the crowd waxing very enthusiastic over tho exhibition given by her. From the bully-off the visitors set up a strong attack. Led by tho Misses Campbell and Rule they assailed the Wellington goal-lino time and again, but the luck was against them, and behinds wero the only result. Play continued to bo fought out in Wellington quarters, and somo pretty passing was done by the Canterbury girls. From a meleo in tho circle Miss Campbell opened tho' score by shooting a good goal for Canterbury after about fifteen minutes' play. ' Canterbury's sccond goal was scored about five minutes afterwards by Miss Goudio from another' fight within tho circle. The reverse infused vigour into tho Wellingtonians, and Canterbury were kept busy in defending their goal, but half-time was sounded with no alteration in the score.

The second spell was a repetition of the first, Canterbury easily having the best of matters. Tho visitors weije putting in sonio good passing rushes, and from one of these Miss itennic registered tho third goal. Wellington's half-line was noticeably weak, and Canterbury were taking advantago of it. Canterbury's fourth goal came from another meleo in tho circle, and was shot by Miss Ronnie. . From, this out tho visitors continued to press the local representatives, but could not increase their score, the game ending as above.

NELSON (8) v. WAIRARAPA B (0). A fast and interesting contest took place on No. 3' ground between Wairarapa B ' and Nelson. The play started off evenly, but very rapidly, both sides showing fair combination. Wairarapa looked dangerously near to scoring on several occasions, but they could not penetrate the defence. After several endeavours, Miss P. Parsonago took an easy goal for Nelson, and this iras fola moment or two later by a score by Miss D. Parsonage, the result of a good passing rush. The ' Nelson onslaughts on tho wairarapa goal continued, but they found the backs and goalkeepor too solid. At this stage a dangerous situation was cleverly relieved by Miss Olivo Richards, who carried' the leather right down the field. It was quickly returned, however, and remained for a while in Wairarapa territory. Then tho latter started on a pretty rush, instituted by tho halves and'carried on "nicely by tho forwards, but Nelson were too strong and soon made the play neutral. Play remained about the samo in tho latter half, Nelson proving too many for their rivals. Nelson added four to their total, one being made by Miss Whitwell and three by Miss Helling. The latter increased the tally by another goal through faulty play by the defending goalkeeper. Just on tho call of time Miss Wliitwell added Nelson's score from a melee at the posts. Miss K. O'Leary, as bully, played an excellent game for tho losers. Most of the Nelson team played brilliantly, and.their win was well deserved. HAWKE'S BAY (5) v. WAIRARAPA A (0).

An interesting match took place between Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa A oil No. 2 ground. Tho former, won by 6to nil. Thei only scoro in the first spell was made by Miss Welhrood, the result of a passing rush. In the latter half Hawke's Bay put on fourmore goals, Miss B. Harrison scoring tho first and Miss Wellwood the remainder. Wairarapa were a neat team, but their 'opponents were too' good for them. The play was not' by any moans one-sided, and Wairarapa had hard luck in not scoring. Wellington B had a bye. 1 JUNIOR. The following are tlio junior results:— HOROWHENUA (6) v. WANGANUI (0). Horowhonua defeated Wanganui. by 6 to nil on No. 1 ground. The game was a walkover for Horo'.vlienua, they proving a decidedly superior team, and a'ii their players gave a good dispb.y. Misses Edkouse, Stopford, and Gibson contributed to the scores. WELLINGTON.A (2) v; HAWKE'S BAY (0). On No. 4 ground Wellington' A defeated Hawke's Bay by 2to nil. Both goals were scored in tho first spell. The play was fast, Wellington winning by superior combination. The victors were continually on the attack, and should really have scored further. TOaDAY'S fixtures. Tho following are tho matches to bo played at Day's Bay to-day in connection with the ladies' tournatment: — Senior. Hawke's Bay v: Wellington, No. 3 ground, at 3 p.m.; Canterbury v. Nelson, No. 1 ground, at 3 p.m.; Wellington A v. Wairarapa A, No. 2 ground, 3 p.m. , Junior. Horowhenua v. Wellington B, on No. 4 ground, 3 p.m.; Waiiganui v. Hawke's Bay, No. 2 ground, 2 p.m.; Wellington A a byo. Huia (Hawke's Bay) will play a friendly match with Wairarapa B on No. 4 ground, at 2 p.m.. • Tho meeting to arrange for the formation of*a New Zealand Ladies' Hockcy Association will be held at Godber's Rooms. Cuba Street, to-night, at 8 o'clock. It will be a large and representative meeting, and delegates from all parts 9f tho Dominion will be present. The,most important motion to be dealt with will be that as to headquarters, which will,' of course, be decided by tho delegates.