HOCKEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13782, 22 June 1908, Page 8

HOCKEY.

CUP MATCHES CONTINUED. The cup matches under the auspices of the Auckland Hockey Association were continued at Remupra, the Domain, and Ellerslie on Saturday afternoon, in favourable weather. In the senior grade, after a hard game, Auckland A defeated University by three goals to two, while United vanquished North Shore to the tunc of five goals to nil. Ponsonhy proved victorious over Auckland B by five, goals to one, the latter team playins one man short, and St. George and College Rifles drew, each side notching three goals. With the exception of the Auckland A-University game, tho senior matches were played at Remuera. Two very interesting games eventuated in the. second grade competition. Training College and Ellerslie, neither of whom had been defeated this season, met, at Ellerslie, and after a hard tussle victory vested with; the students by three goals to one. Training College are now leading for the championship with an unbeaten record. At Remuera Epsom suffered thoir first defeat of the season at the hands of Y.iLO.A. by two goals to one. AUCKLAND A V. UNIVERSITY. Much interest was centred in tho first meeting this season of Auckland A and University at the Domain, the Auckland team having been defeated, while the students hacl sustained but one reverse. To the disappointment of the players and spectators, the ground was not in a good state for hockey, the grass being long and the turf heavy. This state, of affairs, however, was not. due to the caretaker. Auckland A suffered most under these conditions, as their forwards, xvho adopt the short passing game, were all at sea until about the conclusion of the second spell, when they got going properly. The 'Varsity forwards fared almost as badly, and none of the players in either forward line showed up as prominently as usual. The back divisions of both teams, however, had* plcntly to do. Howell, in goal, for the winners, was safe, and Hill played a very fine game, blocking the opposing forwards incessantly. Whitley did not like the ground at all, but Spear (right half) appeared to be able to do nothing wrong, and got through much defensive work in fine style. Kavanagh and P. Lepine were steady, although not quite as prominent as usual. For University Speight, at right fullback, played a splendid game, and got his side out of several hot corners. His hitting was always well directed. JJcClure, at left half, shaped exceptionally well, while Burnett was safe at centre, and Pierce, on the left, did all that was asked of him. Bunkall's play in goal was also good..

University won the toss, and elected to defend the "hospital goal, playing with the sun at their backs. From the start the ball was knocked about in great style, and when 10 minutes had gone Mather (Auckland) shot the ball into the net after a piece of passing between himself and Brooke-Smith. Even play followed until Hampson took the ball along the right wing, and centring at the proper time Barnett rushed up and scored for 'Varsity. There was no score during the remainder of the spell. Upon resuming -University took the leather along to Auckland's circle, but the backs cleared .well, and after a deal of even play the ball was passed into the students' 25, and J. Lepine put Auckland in the lead with a clinking shot. University attacked again, and their efforts were rewarded, Alderton shooting a good goal. At this stage both teams appeared tired out, the going being so heavy. With about 15 minutes to go the Auckland team infused considerable dash into their play, and a hard shot by Mason flew high over the top of the net, while Brooke-Smith, Mather, and J. Lepine went near scoring o/i other occasions, Eventually Mather got the ball near half-way and took the. leather into the circle, but overran it when within a yard of the goal line. Mason, however, dashed up and scored. Time was called shortly afterwards, leaving Auckland the winners by 5 goals to 2. The University players are, deserving of congratulations for their performance, and should these, teams meet again during the season on a dry ground one of the finest club contests yet witnessed in Auckland should result. ■ Mr. E. E. Madden was an impartial referee, but in the matter of sticks being given by players he might have taken the state, of the ground into consideration, and used a little more discretion. It was the spectators who suffered in this respect, the players always being ready for a " breather. UNITED V. NORTH SHORE. United won the toss, and from the bullyoff North Shore secured and the ball travelled up to United's 25, but play was speedily returned to North Shore's circle, where after several unsuccessful shots Munro scored the first goal of the match for United. From this on to the end of the first spell the game was fairly even. On resuming play United had much the better of the game, and goals were scored by Metcalfe (2), Munro (1), and Catliro (1), making the total 5 to nil in United's favour at the conclusion of an uninteresting game. Mr. Bcckend made an efficient referee. ST. GEORGE V. COLLEGE RIFLES. After a very fast and interesting game College Rifles" drew with St. George, the score reading 3 all when the whistle sounded. Both sides were strongly represented. King secured the first goal for the Rifles, but St. George, retaliated by Flower getting in a beauty. Shortly after Flower shot another goal. Rifles then set up a hot attack on St. George's goal, and after a scramble Ring piloted the ball between the posts, making the score 2 all. St. George coming- again put themselves one ahead by a good shot by Tattley. Shortly before the call of time College were awarded a corner, and Hesketh securing shot a good goal. . For St. George Palmer and Stone in the forwards, and Badden in the backs, played well, and for Rifles Price and 11. Woodroffe in the backs were safe. King on the wing played an excellent game, as did Hamlin on the other side. Rutherford was also to the fore. NEXT SATURDAY'S TRIAL MATCH. With a view to selecting a. team to represent Auckland against Taranaki on July 1 a trial match will be played next Saturday. As the representative match will be played at Rcmuera, and after Saturday's experience at. the Domain, the. association would be well advised to play the trial game at flic polo ground. The teams have not yet been selected. , THE TARANAKI REPRESENTATIVES. The following team has been chosen by Mr. R. B. Anderson to represent Taranaki against Auckland on July 4:—Goal, G. E. Anderson (Stratford); fullbacks, J. E. Avery (New Plymouth), R. B. Anderson (Stratford); halves, L. Curtis (Stratford), W. D. Anderson (Stratford), —. Thompson (Hawera); forwards, W. Wood (Now Plymouth), W. Crawford (New Plymouth), E. Sargent (Hawera), F. W. Fagan (New Plymouth), James Harris (Inglewood).

SECOND GRADE. Epsom v. Y.M.C.A.: As Y.M.C.A. had met with only one reverse this season, while their opponents were undefeated, this match attracted much attention. Epsom scored the first five minutes, thereby putting their opponents on their mettle. No further score occurred until the close of play, when Y.M.C.A. secured two goals in quick succession. The game proved the fastest yet witnessed in the second grade competition at Remuera this season. For Epsom, Easthope, at left wing forward, showed up prominently, while Piper .and Roberts were the best of the backs. For the winners Murray and Campbell played well in the forward line, and Cobbe, Mills, and Hillyer were the pick of the rear guard. Training College v. Ellerslie: This match was played at Ellerslie, and as neither team had been beaten this season much < interest was centred in the contest, which resulted in a win for the students by three goals to one. The game proved very fast, and was well contested. For the winners Lurking scored the three goals, while Carr notched one for. Ellerslie.

North Shore v. Ponsonby B: The latter proved victorious by eight goals to one. University v. College Rifles: University won by two goals to one. Auckland v. St. George: The former, who were 'not fully represented, were defeated by seven goals to one.

THIRD GRADE. Unitarian v. University: This match ended in a draw, each side notching three goals. MATCH AT THAMES. [BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Thames, Saturday. The match played to-day between the Young Men's Club and the Hauraki Rifles was well contested and interesting throughout, and resulted in a win for the young men by five goals to four. Mr. Bongard gave satisfaction as referee. "WAIHI DEFEATS PAERDA. [l)Y TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Paeroa, Saturday. A hockey match, played here to-day between Faeroa and AVailii, was won by Wnilii by 6 goals to 3. Mr. G. McAndrew was referee. LADIES' MATCHES. LADIES' COLLEGE V. RAWHITI A. Ladies' College met Rawhiti A at Remuera, and succeeded in defeating theni. after a hard tussle, by two goals (scored ny isses May Swan and Norden) to nil. The losers put up a very good performance, and are improving with every match. Mr. Ro binson was referee. MOAN A Y. RAWHITI 15. Moana proved more than a match for their opponents (Rawhiti B>, and won by seven goals to nil. Misses C. Maris Clark (4), L Goudie (1). G. Smith (1), and M. Cooke (]) scored for the winners. Mr. Dinnison was referee.