HOCKEY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8650, 3 August 1908, Page 6

HOCKEY.

AUCKLAND DEFEATS MANAWATU. After a hard-fought game Manawatu were dofeated by Auckland on Saturday by 4 goals to 3. The game was played on tho Rcmuera polo grounds, before an attcndancc of about 2000 people. Tho ground was in fairly good condition, and the weather was beautiful. The Manawatu team had to be altered, owing to Tait being- unable to play. McGregor was shifted up to inside right forward, Crump playing wing. Soronson played centre half, and Stephenson right wing half. The result was that the visitors' . combination was considerably upset. Manawatu started with the sun at their backs, and from the bully-off Fraser sent the ball out to W ebb, who got down into the circle, but hit too hard and the ball went behind. Auckland then attacked, and tho visitors were compelled to seek refuge in hitting behind. .From the resulting corner hit Jacobsen sent tho ball to Smith, who drove it home, and scored first blood for Auckland. Auckland continued to attack, but Kerslake saved well, and another 25 •bully resulted. But the local men again got- into the circle, and Sorcnson was compelled to hit behind. .The corner hit was fruitless, and Simmonds drove hard <downfield. Sherriff, the Auckland full, ■ missed, and- Webb, .who was following up fast, secured the ball, and taking it into the circle found tho not, and made tho score one all. '« Play was very willing for a while, Manawatu attacking strongly,, but a free hit relieved tho pressure, and tho local men took a turn at attacking. From a bully in Manawatu territory, Mason got possession, and succeeded in scoring Auckland's second goal. Play continued to bo fast and vigorous, but no furtker score resulted, and the first spell ended with Auckland leading by 2 to 1. On resuming, the home team attacked, but the visitors were fighting hard, and tho game became a see-saw struggle. ■Then the visitors got into the home circle, and drove hard for the net, but Howell, the Auckland goal-keeper, saved cleverly. Play was immediately taken io the other end, and Kavanagh further Increased Auckland's advantage, making the scoro 3 to 1. The visitors now made things merry, and had hard luck in not scoring, Webb just missing the elusive net. Manawatu continued a hot siege, and were eventually rewarded. Fraser piloted the ball correctly. Auckland 3, Manawatu 2. But the local men soon had tho visitors in difficulties again, and after some neat passing Brooke-Smith found the net, again giving Auckland a lead of two. Tho visitors then took a turn, and tho see-saw scoring continued, when Fraser against drove truly, making tho scorc 4 to 3. From this out the play was intensely exciting. The visitors strove desperately to get level, but Auckland's defence was too sound. Their skipper, Shevriff, played a superb game at'full-back, his defence being the main factor in Manawatu's defeat.