Hockey.

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 97, 10 May 1902, Page 6

Hockey.

Cup matches commenced at Miramai last Satuida\ . In the senior grade, United diew with Kaaori, the scoie being 2 all and Wellington defeated Vivian bv 4 goals to ml. In the junior matches. United 2nd beat Wellington 2nd after a close game by 2 goals to 1 Waiwetu easah beat Yiwan 2nd by 11 to ml, while Karon 2nd defeated Victoria College 2nd bv 9 go>al& to four. The plav m the United-Karon match was very good, some very fine foiwaid work being put m bv both teams which shows tha.t thev ha\e speedily got into condition. The Karon team showed an improvement on last year's form, and ma\ be considered as having an excellent chance of winning the competition. For United, Smythe put in a ere-at deal of work among the forwards, while O'Sulhvan, in the backs was responsible for some, verv effective play. For Karon, Da vies, MacKenzie and Campbell showed that they have not gone off since last year.

In the Wellington-Vivian match, the pla^ was very fast, aaid the Vivians may be congratulated on making such a stand m their first cup match. They seemed to nave picked up the game very quickly, and they possess some very likely players. Their forwards are at present a little slow , but another match or two will rectify this. In Morpeth they have a good captain, who thoroughly understands the game. The Wellington team are an improving lot The forwards r>lay with much more combination than thev did last season but their shooting; is still a weak feature In King, they have struck a very promising centre forward, but at present he is rather inclined to wander from his position, and go out and help his \\ ings. In the backs, Pope is the only new mau, and i& showing form but he hits rather hard for a half. He plaved full-back last vear for the St. John's Ist. .Wellington appear, for the first time, in their new uniform — blue and white shirts in place of all white — and I must say it looks very much better. The Selection Committee this year is composed of F. L. Ashbolt, S. Whelan, and W. R. S. Hickson, who ought to give general satisfaction. The Victoria College Ist had a bye on Saturday, and had a practice at Karon Next Saturday Karori meet Wellington, and the meeting should produce a vea-y close and interesting game, and United pla- Victoria College Ist.