HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 557, 12 July 1909, Page 8

HOCKEY.

KARORI DEFEATED BY UNITED.: .A LUCKY WIN. - A clear afternoon with a keen air, but tho turf in a sodden stale, wovo tlio conditions for hockey 'at Day's Bay on Saturday. Perhaps tho most important gamo of tho season wa6 that between Karori niid United on No. 1 Ground. United secured'a lucky win, and will in all probability havo tho honour of being tho champions for another year. Through their defeat Knrori arc now third and Y.M.C.A. second. Several rulings of tlio rcforco were not at all well received. A Karori player was heard to say coming back on tlio boat that, in his opinion, his team did not mind a "licking," and would tako their beatings in a sportsmanlike way, but unsatisfactory treatment was something not easily forgotten. The remaining games were interesting, that lwtwecn Wesley and Y.M.C;A. being close. Thorndon have at last awakened from their long sleep, and beat Vivian, rather unexpectedly, by tlio substantial margii) of 4 goals to 1. Following are details of tho play:— ' .- .UNITED (2) V. KARORI(1). . Winning tho toss, United chose'to defend the goal facing awny from the strong sun. In characteristic style, the Eeds (United) sot' oif for Karori's goal, but a long hit by Spiers reversed tho attack, which'counter attack, however, United repulsed, a corner resulting. Hero was a chance for '-Karori, arid C. Campbell was entrusted with the shot, which missed by a few inches. Suddenly United broko away, and Karori's goalkeeper (Campbell) was called on to eayo. Day. (United) was then instrumental in "nipping" a rush, and'placing the ball in a good position among his/forwards, C. Campbell.cleverly beat Elliott, giving the ball to Willis; who: quickly- passed on to Davics, and he dribbled right to tho goal and opened Karori's account. Persistent United rushes again met with reverse, Spiers driving.hard up to Murphy, who, however, was not able to beat Dwycr, (United's goalkeeper).. Karori stayed sorno minutes in the vicinity of United's goal, but olf-sido'by Willis gave the Red's relief. The free-hit went .to, Elliott, who, by a fine piece' of tricking, dribbled into the circle and. made tho scores even, although -.the angle :was difficult.:. The' pace increased,' and Karori looked dangerous,' until a-.'free-hit relieved the Beds. The ball was worked up to United's twenty-five again, however, but Pulton placed his-shot over the bar. Smythe and King were playing, well for United, : but. Spiers, coining out' of his place, • sent them to' the' right-about, Gendall,- Karori's left-wing, 1 was 'able to commence a ; dangerous passing rush, the' ball going to Davied and Murphy, who hit on to Willis,' but' this player's shot was 'disallowed for ■off-side. Half-time came !with tho ■6cores,:l—l. After attacking for some minutes in' the 6econd spell United npssed a chance.; ; Davies attempted to right through, but overran the ball, .and Karori were again-put on their mettle.' El-' liott missed, the goal. Karori backs were hitting .. poorly: at this . stage, unlike thoir'opponents, : who wore at their best, especially Hickson'and AsldjoU. The ' Blacks eventually cleared, but Dwycr was very safe, and. staved off tho attack. Bnt for-sudden rushes play was kept near United's goal until the end of the ; game; Hicksou'and-AshboltT had a" busy time, but they did-. their work well. One of ".United's rushes ended in a free-hit in Karori's 'circle.'; Tho.referee, ruled that. Campbell, the player who took the hit, gave "sticks," < and a penalty corner was given'against the Blacks.. 'Tho ball was hit to Elliott,, who did not stop it. "dead"-(the. ball rebounded off his pads)) but struck it whilo.'itwas in motion, tho net being : found. To'tKarori's surprise the; goal was allowed. 1 2—l. Karori'had one more try, but L; Davies's, shot, missed. : Tho-game, which was played in a sportsmanliko' mariner by both sides, thus ended '.'with" United'victors'- by .2 goals to 1. Mr.: Jones w-as'.the referee!•' : ■■ . -" ;' .Y,M\C.A. (4) V. WESLEY,(3).- ,' On' N6., ; 2 ground, which was, very slippery, .Y.M.Ci A; .defeated Wesley: by four goals to three. ' Tho match liva's-characterised by great evenness throughout, both.teams being-in fine fettle. The: Yellows (Y.M.C.A.), got the better of the start, and Wheatley-''had:a shot.'at goal, which iinissed.,tho.' post.; ; 'Y.M.C.A. again at-tacked,'-but.:g6!od'ldefehsivo:':w6rk on the, partof 'tho-.Blues;;JWes)ey):avei ; ted.:'the dinger. :Wes-' ley :then assumed'. .but no score.: resulted. " 'In-;.a"'.'few.''.ininut'es, i .tho-Blues were again prcssed, : -..arid'conceded a'-corner.;-Chris-.tie,-proved the '-.salvation-. oKthe.'.'defenders.and quickly reversed tho position by converting defence into attack, which,-however, .'was nol\ ■carried to -a successful finish. .At'this stage",, ■indifferent, shooting probably!- cost; Wesley a goal. The first scoro ;was rnade'by Y.M.C.A., Wheatley, being .-instrumental..v..Soon- after-, ■wards - Smith notched a goal' foi 'Wesley, equalising - the figures. . Cardo (Y.M.C.A.) and Smith (Wesley) again scored for their- !respeov five sjdes at - the latter end of the' spell. On tho :resunvption, ! Y.M.C.A. attacked 'vigorously, and Carde was instrumental -in making: the scores 3—2, in favour of this Yellows. : The play then .alternated, -.poor, j-. shooting . frequently preventing certain, scores on botlf sides. Per, medium ,ofjDixon, Wesley: eventually equalised'- again,':and; ;: R:'Parton,'scored the winning" poal for >Y.M.C.A| : -just prior'; to the 'call of .tinio. A. Dewdney.:; carried the whistle.-':-. ';: V'",'-',', ■'■' '". '.-*■. -'■-

REPRESENTATIVE: MATCHES.: ■It is now-definitely; arranged that-Welling-ton will meet Canterbury,; at Christchnreh on 'August 7, arid,. Auckland'.at Wellington .on. August 14. ■ Tho.; Shield ;inateh>against' Auckland will not take place -until, September. No definite"advice-has 1 -; been ; Teceiyed: from'.Horo-

OTHER CENTRES

•'■ ; ; '.' (By TclcEr'aph.—Press' Association.). " ; !'"••'. '-,''■' :..''"! ,:'•-' Auckland, July 11. '-~ '; The, first round i'of. the Auckland Hockey Association's seven ..championship. fixtures concluded yesterday/leaving Auckland (last year's champions) in the'lead by one point from •TJnited, who aro>a point aueadi'of University. :