HOCKEY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 10, 12 July 1909, Page 4

HOCKEY.

«. UNITED DEFEATS KARORI. THORNDON'S FIRST WIN. SENIOR RESULTS. United 2 v. Karori 1, V.M.C.A. 4 v. Wesley 3. Victoria College 4 v. Wellington I. Thorndon 4 v. Vivian 1. Heavy grounds seriously marred play on Saturday. This was unfortunate, especially in the senior competition, in which the important match for the championship — United versus Karori — was decided. It was expected that the hard going would favour the latter, but both teams equally suffered. The game was well contested, neither side claiming any marked advantage. The winn»i goal was a very fluky effort — a fa<£ which is lather unsatisfactory, as it has direct bearing on the result of the championship. United retains its twopoint lead of V.M.0.A., and Karori is three points from the top. Congratulation may be accorded Thorndon on "breaking its duck," this being its first win since it entered senior ranks. Reports on the various contests are as follow :—: — UNITED (2) v. KARORI (1). A very strenuous game was played on No. 1 ground between United and Karori. At the end of the first spelJ the score sitood "one all." Both goals were the results of admirable individual efforts, the one for blacks being obtained by G. Davies, and the other by L. EJliott. The former player was in rare form, and it was unfortunate for his side that he should have gone so near to scoring on several occasions without again meeting with success. Throughout the game, Karori might have had a little better of the play, but just before the termination a corner was conceded to the reds. Elliott secured from the bit-out, and his shot, which was travelling wide of the mark, struck Gendall's pad and then went through the goal. Gendall at the time was about three yards away from the post. Mr. R. L. Jones was the referee. VICTORIA COLLEGE (4) v. WELLINGTON (1). College won the toss, jand Wellington were placed at a disadvantage, having to play against a rather glaring sun. Play, from the commencement, was of an even character, but displays of brilliancy were few and far between. Several times Blues :('WeHiugton) were on the verge of scoring, but their play within the circle was weak. College eventually obtained the upper hand, and from a mud scramble in frcnt ol the net Smith registered the first nnd only goal in the first spell. On resumption of play Wellington pressed their opponents considerably, but all with no result. This may be ' attributed to two', reasons — bad play and similar luck. Both teams were at this stage playing much better than in the previous spell, and the combination had also improved. College now got to work again, and a passing rush initiated ;by Pope was ' responsible for tho Greens' second goal, which was secured by C. Strack. Wellington rallied somewhat, and after a fine run from one end of the field to the other Patterson succeeded in breaking Blues' "duck." Greens had, however, not finished scoring, and Beere made the tally read 3—l,3 — 1, in favour of his side. Still, College were not satisfied, and another three or four minutes was sufficient to enable Pope to send a beautiful shot home. This was the final score, and tho game, which had not been at all interesting from a spectator's point of view, ended — College, 4 ; Wellington, 1. 'Mr. Carver was referee. THORNDON (4) v. VIVIAN (1). On a filthy ground Thorndon scored its victory afc the expense of Vivian. The score at the end of the first spell was "one all." The black and whites carried all before them in the second half, and were successful in obtaining three additional points, Vivian not scoring at all. Thorndon's goals were hit by Hunt, Fella (2), and Rundle. Pargetter scored for Vivian. Mr. Hunter was the referee. V.M.C.A. (4) v v WESLEY (3). A well-contested game was played on •No. 2 ground between V.M.C.A. and Wesley. Both teams scored twice m the first spell. The winning goal was obtained by R. Parton just prior to the end, as the result of a fine individual effort. Xjoals were hit for the winners by Wheatley, Carde (2)j and R. Parton. Smith scored twice for Wesley, and Dixon contributed the other. The referee wae the Rev. A. Dewdney. JUNIOR. The match between College B and United resulted in a. draw, each side registering 1 goal. Metropolitan defeated Gregg's by 6 goals to 0. Mackenzie (2), Guise (2), Hall and Wriglcy scored. Mr. Southwick was referee. Wellington fell victim to Government Life, the latter winning by 7 goals to 1. For the victors, M'Kinley (2), Bennett (3), Macdonald, and Wollermann scored, while the losers' goal was notched by M'Dougall. Wellington played five nrsn short, and Government Life had only ten men playing. Mr. Wheatley was referee. - • THIRiD-CLASS. Victoria College defeated Metropolitan by two goals to nil. For the winners Inder and M'Dowell scored. Gregg's defeated St. Patrick's College Old -^oys by four goals to one. Barnard (2), Wight and Tinney shot goals for the winners, and Fennell for St. Patrick's. Wellington proved victorious over Government Life by three goals to one. The scorers for the winners were Thirkell, Lawry, and Cox. Wesley lost its match with Petone by j three goals to one. The scorers were : for the winners, Hay (2) and Wallace ; for the losers, Kennedy. 'LADIES' GAMERS POSTPONED. Again has the Wellington Ladies' Hockey Association been unfortunate in the matter of playing its matches. Although the weather was fine, use of certain grounds was debarred. No matches were played in the city, nor at Day's Bay. There was much disappointment occasioned, only two games being decided. For the second s consecutive Saturday Petone met and defeated St. John's in the senior competition. The scc-3 was three goab to l two. The winner's goals were hit by' Misses Scrimshaw .(2) and L. Bollon 1(1). Misses Kelling and Patergon scored for t St. John's. AUCKLAND SENIOR GRADE COMPETITION. [ [BT TELEGRAPH — SPECIAL TO THE POST.] [ AUCKLAND, This Day. i Tremendous interest is now centred in the Auckland Hockey Association's senior grade competition, and large crowds gathered on Saturday at the polo ground, liemuera, wheft'e the principal matches are played. The standard of play reached by the Auckland, United, and University teahis is very high, and it is evident that Auckland will pla.ee a clinking representative team in the field this season.

United, who were leading from Aticklartd (last year's champions) for the championship, by one point, wero defeated by University on Saturday, thus putting Auckland again in the lead, and leaving University only one point behind United. In .\ iew of the Auckland representatives having to play Taranaki for the championship shield on 7th August, cup fixtures will have to be curtailed. Thus it is expected that Auckland and University will meet next Saturday, and the winners play off with United for the' championship the following week.