HOCKEY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 63, 12 September 1910, Page 4

HOCKEY.

SHIELD RETAINED. WELLINGTON DEFEATS AUCKLAND. AN EXCITING GAME. Despite strong counter attractions on Saturday afternoon a fair proportion, of the sport-loving public was induced to cross the harbour to Day's Bay, where Wellington met Auckland on the hockey field for the championship of New Zealand, and, incidentally, for the shield so sucessfully defended by the local representatives throughout the season. It is estimated that there were 2000 people, including a largo number of ladies, gathered round the picturesque ground. The spectators comprised those who always follow Auckland-Wellington contests, many of whom, perhaps, had never wi6nessed tho attractive slick game before. Their first impressions, judging by the outbursts of enthusiasm for any particularly clever piece of play or neat stroke, were very favourable. That the game provided was interesting and often exciting there could be no two opinions, but those who had witnessed previous displays by Wellington's representatives were rather disappointed with the local elect. Auckland, on the other hand, played without any studied method, unless for a "scoop" stroke, by which they attempted to pass the ball over the heads of their- oppo-' nents. Wellington had the better of the first spell, at the end of which her team were leading by 2 goals to 1. Though the Northerners played op in the second spell they did not score, while Wellington obtained their third point. Mr. H. Hatch, of Canterbury, acted as referee. The arrangements by the Ferry Company for the carriage of the public across tho harbour were most complete. Details are as under :—: — THE TEAMS. Wellington (yellow and black).— Goal : W. G. Morpeth. Full-backs: G. Harty, C. Hickson. Halves: B. Thompson, C. Campbell, L. Christie. Forwards: E. Loader, C. Strack, G. Strack, D. Smith, G. Davies, Auckland "(blue and white). — Goal: W. S. R. Bloomfield. Full-backs : J. Baker, F. S. Shirriffs. Halves: M. Allison, V. C. Kavanagh, A. M. Bowo. ' Forwards : W, Brooke-Smith, N- B. Jacobfeen, F. R. Mason, D. Smythe, H. 0. Welham. THE PLAY. From the beginning, Auckland found defects in Wellington's defence, which were not supposed' to exist, enabling Mason and ' Brooke-Smith to have shots for -the goal, which, though not perilously- near, were sufficiently close to make local supporters anxious. A freehit to Wellington removed play to the other end. of the field. Auckland, were persistent, and Wellington again tad to give way, until Loader, the yellows' left wing, secured and drove the ball into the centre of the field, to where G. Strack was ready. The latter fielded "the ball with his stick, and set off with it towards the northerners' posts. After eluding Kavanagh, the opposing centrehalf, and running round Shirriffs, the defending left full-back, he reached the circle, and hit vigorously from a difficult .angle, falling in the attempt. Hhe ball, however, sped on and into the goalIt was an admirable effort, and the result of -but five minutes' play. Wellington , ... 1 .Auckland 0 Following on this" in quick succession, D. Smith, G. Strack, and C. Strack essayed at the goal with likely shots, but Bloomfield, the blue goalkeeper, each time was in the way. C. Strack, in his attempt, prettily manipulated his stick, turning the ball inwards -in the direction of the posts from a centre by Loader, on the left wing. Auckland rallied, and a flying shot by Mason went high over the posts into the 'trees behind. Thft defenders of the shield replied with an attack initiated by G. Davies, right wing, who ran up the line, and centred. C. Campbell, centre-half, received the ball, which he neatly directed towards C. Strack, who, not waiting to field it, sent it flying between the posts. Wellington ... . ... . ... 2 Auckland ... 0 Auckland's methods, .hitherto, had not been so clever as those of the local players, who up to this stage had distinctly the better of the game. Some of Wellington's backs, -however, were either careless in their play, or else suffering from nervousness. A neat dash down the field by Welham, their opposing right-wing, found them in. trouble. He was permitted to centre, and, after "some bungling on the part of the local defenders, Mason, Auckland's bully, scored from a scrimmage in front of the posts, amid loud applause. Wellington 2 Auckland 1 Immediately after, Mason made a second shot — a much more likely one than previously, but this time Morpeth, the local goalkeeper, defended admirably. A minute later the whistle sounded, the score-sheet still reading one goal in favour of Wellington. SECOND SPELL. Auckland opened the second stage of the match most aggressively, Wellington falling back. The latter conceded a corner, from the hit-out of which Mason sent in a lightning shot, only stopped on the verge of the goal-line by Christie, Ihe local right lialf. A second corner was soon given Auckland, and from this one Jacobse^i made a shot, which travelled between the posts, but the player had given sticks — i.e., raised his stick higher than permitted in the act of hitting the ball — and the point was - accordingly . disallowed. Wellington seized the opportunity to clear from the hit-out. This only gave them temporary relief, a piercing sunlight appearing to affect them. The visitors were most persistent, and more than once it seemed as if they would equalise the scores. Respite came again to them, however, when D. Smith, Wellington's inside-right forward, secured the ball and passed to G. Strack, his centre. Strack repeated a previous performance, and raced down the field, reaching the circle, whei'e he was obstructed by Eowe, Auckland's right half. The referee stopped play, and penalised the Northerners by ordering a penalty bully. The two playevs concerned — Strack, of Wellington, and Rowe, of Auckland — went down to the bully, their fellows for the nonce standing aside. Wellington's representative won the set-to, and after passing his opponent, he rolled the balJ into the net. The goal was well deserved, as Strack was in a scoring position when the infringemenb was made. Wellington 3 Auckland ... ... ... 1 Though there were still some minutes to go, there was no further score, Wellington retaining the shield. A VISITOR'S IMPRESSIONS. "The game," comments one of the vibiling paity, "'resulted in a fast exciting contest, and by no means can be termed a brilliant exhibition of hockey. Wellington on the day were the better team, for they possessed method. 'I heir combination m the lirst half proved disastrous for the Aucklanders, and at one

time the issue looked as though a big score would result. It can safely be said that it was combination against individual brilliancy. True the Auckland attack held Wellington's defence in the second' half, but their lack of concerted action failed to dirive home to the desired effect. The contest was looked upon to provide a brilliant exhibition of the great game, but proved most disappointing, and resulted in only an exciting contest." VISITORS ENTERTAINED. After the match was over the visiting team was entertained by local players at a dinner in the Occidental Hotel. Mr. A. L. Herdman, M.P., acted as chairman. A number of toasts were honoured, and songs given by different members of the company.