HOCKEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13846, 4 September 1908, Page 8

HOCKEY.

TO-MORROW'S SHIELD MATCH. INTERESTING GAME EXPECTED. Judging by tho telegraphed description of tho Wellington-Taranuki match followers of the pastime may confidently anticipate witnessing a brilliant exhibition of hockey at Victoria Park to-morrow afternoon when tho representatives of the Empire City will endeavour to wrest, the New Zealand Association's championship shield from the Aucklanders. Tho Wellington men play a fast, open game, and as the local players adopt ; the same tactics an even contest should result. The visitors will arrive at Onohunga from New Plymouth this morning, and will bo met, by tho representatives of the local association, subsequently being driven into town. During their stay here they will be quartered at. the Imperial Hotel. Tho arrangements for to-morrow's match have now been completed. The Garrison Band will bo in attendance, and afternoon tea will be dispensed. The ground, which was admitted by the Canterbury representatives who recently visited Auckland to havo been the finest they had ever played on, has been subjected to a thorough rolling;, and is now as level as a billiard table. Spectators will be provided with programmes gratis, and they will contain a short summary of tho more important rules of the, game. To avoid crushing at the gates the association have arranged for tho .sale of tickets at Messrs. H. K. Partridge and Co.'s and Miss Gerti Campion's, Queen-street. For admission to the ground Is will bo charged and to the grandstand od. The Auckland representatives held a useful practice at, Victoria Park yesterday afternoon. A match was played with a combination representing the Training College and University Clubs, and although the "scratch" team comprised about 15 players tho representatives won easily. The winners' combination was very fine, while their shooting left little room for improvement. Howell, the Aucklander, who played in goal for the losers, gave a brilliant display. The following particulars relating to the individual members of the Auckland team, which have been supplied by an enthusiast, should prove interesting: — C. Howell (goalkeeper): His first year as a representative player. Has put up some fine performances in club hockey, but. lacks experience as a representative. Is a fine stopper, but should use his feet more. F. S. Shirriffs (right fullback): One of the finest backs in the Dominion. A great rush stopper ; should uso more direction when feeding his forwards; when on attack is inclined to hit a little too hard. H. B. Speight (left fullback) : Also a very fine back, and has fairly played his way into the team. Very fast, a good tackier, and takes the ball well on tho fly; inclined to give sticks when clearing, J. C. Badham (right halfback) : A splendid player in his position. First year as an Auckland representative. Learn his hockey in India. Uses excellent judgment when feeding his forwards. D. K. Porter (centre half): An old Auckland representative. Though not playing quite up to his usual form this season, v he is still one of the host, and is a very hard mau to pass. V. C. Kavanagh (left wing half) : Is tho juggler of the team. Is playing up to his best, form this year. Plays a great spoiling game, as Canterbury know to their cost; occasionally inclined to " speculate.'.' H. O. Welham (right wing forward): In his day a splendid player, but latterly he has been inclined to take the ball too far before parting with it, thus allowing tho opposing backs to mark his inner forwards. Has represented Taranaki and Hawke's Bay. R. W. Barry (inside right): An old Auckland representative, who is playing very well indeed this year. The beat tackier in Auckland, and a good shot; but is inclined to pass too hard to his other forwards. He represented Canterbury beforo ho arrived in Auckland. F. R. Mason (centre forward): Has represented Auckland for many years, and this season is playing as well as ever, some holding that be is the best man in his position in New Zealand at the present time. He keeps his place admirably, and feeds both sides equally well; a--brilliant shot «nd a verv heady player. **> < H. W. Mather (inner left): Rather out of form at the beginning of the season, but now playing up to representative standard. ' f ; A very clever stick player, and a good shot, who combines well with his elubmatos (Mason and Brooke-Smith). Ho has represented Manawatu. '...,. W. Brooke-Smith (left wing): A very neat player, who centres finely also a dangerous shot, but a rather weak tackier. UNIVERSITY V. HAURAKI. A team from the University Club will visit Thames to-morrow, in order to play a match with the Haurnki Club's representatives. The students will leave Auckland by tho Wakatcro at eight a.m., and return by the Waimario leaving Kopu nt 3.30 p.m. Tho University team is as follows : --Holland, Thomas, Cullimore, Bennett, Speight, McLean, Edgerley, Connolly, Browne, Davies, Gilmore. LADIES' TOURNAMENT. A ladies' hockey tournament, the largest of its kind yet held, in the Dominion, will commence at Day's* Bay, Wellington, this afternoon, and it will extend over 10 days. Teams from the majority of the Southern associations will take part, while many of the northern bodies will also be represented. Owing to several of the leading local player* being unable to make the trip, it has been decided that Auckland shall not take part. This is very unfortunate, as, although there aro not many ladies' clubs here, several of tho players rank equal to the best in the Dominion. During the torunament a meeting of delegates will be held to consider the advisableness of forming a ~>cw Zealand Association, and Misses C. Maris Clark and Sehischka, of the Auckland Association, will leave for Wellington by the West Coast boat this afternoon, in order to attend the gathering. WELLINGTON DEFEATS TARANAKI. AN EXCITING GAME. [BY TKL£<;nAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] New Plymouth, Thursday. Tho Wellington representative hockey team, whioh is on its way to Auckland, where an attempt will bo made to lift tho shield, met Taranaki to-day, tho former team winning by one goal to nil. Tho ground was in perfect order and tho day gloriously fine. The game was most interesting and exciting at times, play travelling rapidly up and down the field. Wellington was more accurate in shooting, and several goals .were saved by a narrow margin, otherwise the game was remarkably oven. In tho first spoil both sides had bad luck, Thomson's goal for Taranaki being disallowed for offside play, and Willis, of Wellington, drove over the top of the cage. In the second spell Sargent scored lor Taranaki, but the referee gave no goal. With one minute to play Nixon shot right into Taranaki's goal, Wellington thus winning by one goal to nil.