HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 299, 11 September 1908, Page 9

HOCKEY.

LADIES' TOURNAMENT. Tho ladies' hockey tournament was contintiod yesterday afternoon. The weather was dull and rainy in the' morning, but later on it ''cleared beautifully. Hawke's Bay again asserted thomsclvcs, and liavo now won tho senior cup. Tho grounds were in good condition, despite tho rain, and the matches played wero not interfered with. I POSITION OF TEAMS. The position of tho senior teams at tho present stage of tho tournament is as follows Hawke's Bay 1 Wellington A and Wairarapa A'... 2 Nelson ... 4 Wairarapa B ... ... ... 5 Wellington B ... 6 Tho following aro.tho results of yesterday's senior matchos, tho junior contest having concluded on tho previous day: — HAWKE'S BAY (1). V. NELSON (0). What was undoubtedly the best game of tho tournament to date was tho match between Hawke's. Bay and Nelson on No. 1 ground, the game being fast, well played, and interesting. The Northerners started on a rush Up the left, and Miss Pitts centred beautifully. A melee ensued, from which Miss Smale saved promptly, kelson then attacked for a spell, but they found tho backs, Miss Danvers and Mrs. Wo3tall, too reliable. Hawke's Bay came again to tho fore, but Miss Robertson, in goal, saved by a speculator. \Both Sides played with pretty_ combination, p.nd gave an excellent exhibition of liockey, their passing being particularly creditable. There was no score on cither side ill the first half, the teams being evenly matched. Tho advantage alternated slightly, but evenness characterised the play. Both Sides got perilously near one another's goals, but wero Unable to find their way' to tho net, the backs and goal-keepers of both teams being very sound. After the spell, play , was fequftlly fast, and the ' high standard was maintained. For the first ton minutes of the latter half Nelson were successful ill keoping play in their, opponents' territory, but a nice forward rush averted tho danger, and Hawke's Bay assumed the aggressive. Nelson returned to the attack, and a good Shot at goal went just outside the post. Towards the end Hawke's Bay' bccamo very dangerous and were several times very neaHy scoring, but they could not elude the defence. The chance of tho Northerners Came at last, for Miss Pitts secured posses-* Sion, Miss Crowley carried tho ball on, and Miss Wellwood scored prettily. A moment later Nelson ram quickly up the field and Would havo equalised had it not been for Over-anxiety. Then ' Mr. Carver called time. Tho members of both teams gave excellent displays, almost without exception. WAIRARAPA A (6) v. WELLINGTON B (0); Wairarapa A met Wellington B on No. 2 ground, and completely outclassed them in every department Of the game, winning by (5 to nil. Little can be said for Wellington, who wore very weak, and only once succeeded in entering their opponents' circle. Tho Wellington forwards wore too in their hitting; and seemed to be frightened to tackle Wairarapa's backs, who staved off any signs of attack in good style. For Wairarapa, Miss J. Bicknell and Miss Maguiro soored the two goals in the first spell, tho -last-nartiod scoring after sonic pretty play by Miss E. Bicknell. In the second spell, goals were, hard to get for a time, owing to the splendid play of Miss Mackellar, Wellington's left lull-back, and the goal-keeper. After a Quarter of an hour's play, however, tho net was found on four occasions, Owing to Miss E. Bicknell taking tho. ball down the .left wing and passing twice, thereby enabling Mis's J. Bicknell and Miss C. Maguiro to scoro. Miss E. Bicknell scored tho othof two. Miss K. Biilkloy played a fair game for Wellington, while among Wairarapa's backs, who had alfnost nothing to do, Miss Keedwell (centre-half), and Miss W. Beatsoii (left 'full-back) '\Vcrii noticeable for their capablo handling of tho ball . WELLINGTON A (2) v. HUIA (1). In tho friendly gamo bet-weoD Wellington A and Huia, played on No. 3 ground, Miss ißisset scored' .twice for Wellington, and Miss C. Niven once for Huia. The game was even throughout, but Wellington were ill hotter form, and kept Huia on the defence throughout. TO-DAY'S FIXTURES.' The following are to-day's fixtures: — . Seniors. Nelson v. Wellington A, on No. 1 ground, 3 p.m.; Wairarapa'A v. Wairarapa B* No. .2 ground) 3 p.m.; Wellington B and Hawke's Bay, byes. M WAIRARAPA CRITICISM (BY TELEGItAI'tI—I'RESS ASSOCIATION.) I Masterton, September 10. Visitors from tho Wairarapa are not over lavish in their praise of tho manner in wliicl tho liockoy tournament at Wellington has been conducted. Visiting players complain o going to what they term "a wretched placi like Day's Bay" to play matches, and thi general trend of opinion is that unless ther< is some indication of bettor management am a bettor place to play, teams from north 0 Wellington will be conspicuous by thei absenco at futuro tournaments. MEN'S FIXTURES. 1 The men's senior .and third-class fixture; will bo. continued to-morrow. 1 Tli'o association having granted tho use o ■ two grounds at Day's Bay to the Ladies Association, only two senior matches wil 1 be played—United v. Victoria College on No 2, antl Karori v. Vivian on No. 1. Tho Wesley v. Thorndon and Y.M.C.A, v Wellington senior matches will stand ovei 1 till October 3. I Tho grounds for the third-class matcho: have been altered, .and for Saturday are ai ; follow: — Thorndon v. Y.M.C.A., Welling ' ton ground; Wellington v. United, Y.M.C.A ground; Victoria Collego Av. Wesley, Thorn 1 don ground; Victoria Collego B v. Vivian ■ Vivian ground.