HOCKEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14158, 6 September 1909, Page 7

HOCKEY.

INTERPEOVINCIAL MATCH. WELLINGTON DEFEATS AUCKLAND. LOST l-A SHIELD. The increasing popularity of tho groat ■winter slick gams was further evidenced at Victoria Park on Saturday, when between 4000 and 5000 persons witnessed the interprovincial representative hockey match between Auckland and Wellington for the right to hold the Now 'Zealand Hockey Association's championship shield. The day was not. pleasant, a strong wind from the east, which inclined before the game finished towards the south, and gave the frequent blasts a wintry touch, made matters disagreeable for players and spectators alike. Outside the grounds clouds of dust, were borne on the breeze, the crowd thus arriving with a soiled and grimy fooling. Tho one redeeming feature was that the Tain, which the lowering clouds threatened to lei loose at any moment., held off. The match was under vice-regal patronage, the Governor, accompanied by Captain Lyon, arriving by motor ear shortly before 3.15 p.m. His Excellency was met by Mr. Wm. Coleman ai:d Mr. H. Roes George, president, and vice-president respectively of the Auckland Hockey Association, and to the strains of "God Save the King " from the Bavarian Band escorted to a reserved portion of the stand, which was decorated with bunting. There were also present among the spectators tho officers of H.M.S. Encounter and H.M.C.S. Ins, and also many of Auckland's leading professional and business men. The match provided one of the most interesting displays witnessed here, and, although the Aucklanders lost the shield by three goals to two —the narrowest of margins— wore not disgraced, the challengers giving what must be deemed a magnificent display. The officials of the Auckland Hockey Association had 'prepared a ground which one enthusiastic Weiiingtonian compared to a hugo billiard-table, so even was the surface, and so true did tho .'"ball play. It was anticipated that a great 'struggle would ensue, and it surely did, for There was not a dull moment in the 70 minutes' play. The white, sphere was carried from end to end of the F.eM in a series of brilliant meteoric rushes by both teams, tfo be met. except on but few occasions, with equally brilliant defensive moves. The crowd became demonstrative early in the came, but, when towards the close Auckland, Vn- a great rally, placed themselves within a" position that gave hopes that the scores might be equalised, the excitement was indescribable. The scene was reminiscent of Auckland's defeat of Canterbury last year, when a further period of play was required to decide the draw. The local team on Saturday, however, faded to make the draw, and Wellington thus carried home the spoils 'r>{ war by the Main Trunk express hist evening. Wellington's goals on Saturday were Scored by Smith. G. Smythe, and Da vies, ."while for Auckland V.". Brooke-Smith and Mason found the net. The game was playJed in splendid spirit, and there was not a 'single accident. The true sporting spirit was largely in evidence at the conclusion of the (match, the Auckland team being the first to [congratulate the members of the side which Shad deprived them of their honoursand .the shield. . An interesting match was played as a '■" curtain-raiser ' by the Rangatira and •Monna ladies' teams. The contest was to 'decide, the right to be called champion Sadies' team of Auckland, and to be possessors of a set of 11 silver buckles presented by a patron of ladies' hockey. Rangatira defeated last season's champions by three goals to nil, after «a game that was full of incident and attractive play. The arrangements for Saturday's matches Were admirably made and carried out by the Executive Committee ■■' of the Auckland (Hockey Association, the officers who bore jthe brunt of the work being Messrs. H. D. tfrlilJ, chairman, and -A. K. Tattley, secretary. Tho care taken to keep the crowd 4>R the field of play was commendable. A BRILLIANT GAME. The turf was in good order when the Auckland and Wellington teams lined out on Saturday at Victoria Park. The Auckland team was slightly- altered, Mather being finable to play, his place being taken by • •Murdoch. The personnel of the teams was as follows: — AUCKLAND. (Blue and white.) Goal: W. Allen. Fullbacks: F. S. Shirriffs (captain), H. £). Speight. , Halfbacks: P. Lepine, D. K. Porter, V. t-'. Kavanagh. Forwards: N. R. Jacobsen, D. Smythe, iF. R. Mason, W. Brooke-Smith, A. Murdoch. WELLINGTON. (Amber and black.) Goal: Dwyer. Fullbacks: C. Hiekson, Harty. i Halfbacks: L. Christie, C. Monaghan, N. Smythe. 1 Forwards: W. Organ, D. Smith, L. Elliott. G. Davies. G. Smythe. , Mr. E. Hay, of the Auckland Referees' Association, controlled the game admirably, lis interpretation of the rules being praised S>y both teams. ' Tho game, started with Auckland winning '» fake- bully, which was called back. Auck land supporters got, a thrill through clever ( work by Smythe. (A.). Play was carried right to Wellington's circle, where a corner .was conceded. Wellington cleared from tho 'corner, but Murdoch brought play back, iand centred, but Mason was in a bad position, and a 25 bully was tho result. Sinytho JW.) and Elliott were connected with an attack, but Lepine broko it up., and the ball .went into touch. G. Smythe. (W.) carried •play to Shirriffs, who saved nicely, and play shifted actress field, where Kavanagh stopped Organ. The ball was returned, "and went (across Auckland's line. From the 25 bully 'Smyth© (A.) was conspicuous, and ho (brought play downfield, and then passed to tfacobsen. A promising attack was nicely (stopped by Harty. After a short spell of Uninteresting play Mason, Smythe (A.), and •Brooke-Smith _ took play to Wellington's circle, but Hiekson saved finely, and the hall went across to tho left wing. Smythe (W.) beat P. Lepine. Shirriffs stopped Smythe. but Davies joined in and centred, 'and following took a shot at, an angle. Allen sent the ball right out of touch, 'about the 25yds flag. The crowd were now being worked up into an excited state. N. Smythe (W.) stopped a fine Auckland rush, and Davies securing shot with only Allen in tho goal-mouth. Tho local keeper saved Splendidly, but the respite was brief, and from a melee in the centre Smith scored Wellington, 1; Auckland, nil. Play continued fast and furious from the j •bully off, l>oth teams attacking in turn. 'Then Auckland sot up an attack, and ■Brooke-Smith put the ball over the bar. A succession of line hits followed, one lightning shot put in by Mason being splendidly .stopped by Dwyer. From play resulting from the fourth corner Mason centred fast 'across the goal mouth, and Brooke-Smith Isent in a terrific shot amid great excitement, iwhich found the outside wall of the net. A Itwenty-fivo bully was taken. Play worked '•to centre, where Lepine stopped and sent ion to Mason. Hickson saved well, but Mason recovering passed across to Jacobsen, Jwho carried play to the corner. Harty, jhowever. cleared and Davies carried play to Auckland's circle, which Speight cleared 'Well with a hit. that rose and went into ♦ouch at halfway. Wellington continued on (tho attack, and from a corner Smith shot. E'lt Allen saved, Davies followed and almost netted, Alien beinnr glad to sneak the . pall round the outside of the post. From the corner Organ shot, but it went high Vnd wide. From the bnllv off Porter and Brooke-Smith were noticeable, but Hickson Was too safe. Hiekson was called on to )ave on several dangerous rushes, but proved wmal to the strain. He and Hartv and : Monaghan were a grand set of defensivo hacks, and played with more cohesion than .♦he local backs. Auckland developed an attack, tho left wing. '.Murdoch and BrookeRmith coming in. A corner was conceded. From this the ball was sent to Mason, who flopped nicely and drew tho defence. He Jhen tanned to Brooke-Smith, who found the 'jnet with a beautiful shot, and equalised! scores: Wellington, 1:. Auckland, 1. ;: '. From the halfway bully Mason sat tin an fettack. taking play to the Wellington circle, | but Hiekson cleared nicely, and Davies tak'ing the long hit rushed down on Shirriffs. fho Aucklandcr hit over the ball, and mat-

tors looked dangerous for Auckland, but Kavanagh carno to the rescue and saved nicely. Jioth teams set up attacks, and then play worked to Auckland's quarters, where Wellington's lino were waiting. Shirriffs was equal to tho occasion, and set Auckland on tho attack again, tho ball going across field to the left wing, where Kavanagh displayed some clever stick play and beat several opponents before being stopped. He then passed to Murdoch, who was joined by Brooke-Smith. Tho latter was stopped, and the ball went out of bounds in Wellington's territory, when half-time was called with the scores: Auckland 1 Wellington 1 Play was resumed with the wind at Wellington's back. Auckland attacked at the outset, Brooke-Smith being prominent. The ball went into touch near Wellington's line. From tho thrown-in N. Smythe (Wellington) made a mighty hit, and the ball travelling free went 70 yards downfield and over tho line, a twenty-five bully resulting. By a succession of hits play was carried to centre, where Mason secured and carried to v.ho circle. Harty conceded a corner, but Mason's shot went wide. From the bully Elliott secured and carried play downfield, and lieating Auckland's fullback had a clear circle. Allen saved a hard shot cleverly. Play worked to Wellington's quarters, where during a succession of corners Mason had a clear shot and sent in a hot one, which Dwyer stopped cleverly and then, booted out. Auckland kept, up tho attack and appeared to bo having the better of the game, when Organ broko away and carried play to Shirriffs. The latter stopped Organ, but Smythe (Wellington) joining in carried play into tho circle and dribbled past Allen, whose "speculator" hit missed. Tin; ball rolled into the net and Wellington, were in the lead: Wellington, 2; Auckland, 1. j Auckland rushed play down from the bully off, Murdoch and Brooke-Smith nutting in a great amount, of work in the. left, corner. Brooke-Smith sent a ball on to the roof of the net during the melee. Elliott and Davies wore prominent, in a rush which took play to Auckland's territory. Speight was prominent in defence, and then from a meieo in the circle Davies notched Wellington's third goal, Allen making a feeble attempt to stop a slow rolling ball. Wellington, 5; Auckland 1. Auckland made desperate attempts to equalise matters, and rushed play downfield, but Wellington's defence was sound, and play soon returned, Hiekson sending to Elliott, who carried down tho right wing and then centred to Davies. Speight saved finely, his long hit going to Smythe (Auckland), who carried play to Harty, but, tho latter again beat him. Davies and Smith. were associated in a rush to the centre, but Shirriffs secured from a scramble of Auckland backs and sent on to Smythe (Auckland), He and Jacobsen again made an attempt on the Wellington goal, but were repulsed by Hiekson. Auckland forwards were getting listless, their halfbacks • giving them too much work, failing to support in attack. Davies was particularly bril- : liant in attack, and Shirriffs in defence at ■ this stage. Wellington's series of attack were now ended, and Auckland began to , have a look in. Brooke-Smith came in with i a fine dribble, but failed to find the net, am! then Mason was conspicuous in attack. Both sides were showing signs of the hard game, and the local team were showing a feverish anxiety to score. Brooke-Smith shortly after carried play right to circle, but getting a bump his shot missed and rolled harmlessly across the goal mouth. A pass to Jacobsen shortly after was accepted, and ho carried play to near the line. He sentback to Mason, who sent in a hot shot, which Dwyer knew nothing about until it was in the net: Wellington. 3; Auckland, 2. The scene when play resumed was indescribable. With but a minute to go the excitement of the crowd was intense. The sustained roar by Auckland's supporters, who thought the locals might make a draw, completely drowned the sound of the timebell, and the first indication spectators had that Wellington had won the shield was tho rush the Auckland team made to congratulate the new holders of the trophy. The final scores were: Wellington ... 3 Auckland 2 THE TEAMS ENTERTAINED.. After the match tho Auckland Hockey Association entertained both teams at dinner. Mr. H. Rees George, vice president of the Auckland Hockey Association, presided, and Messrs. Pearson, vice-president of tho Wellington Association, and R. Leslie Hunt, were also present. A toast list was honour- ' ed, and several musical items rendered. The Auckland speakers were very eulogistic in their references to the Wellington team's display, and heartily congratulated them on their victory, the hope being expressed that the presence of the shield in Wellington would do as much for the game there as it had done in Auckland. Mr. H. Roes George, in handing the trophy over to •Mr. W. Organ, captain of the Wellington team, said that it had been won by worthy competitors. During the evening Mr. H. D. Hill, who so capably conducted the recent tour of the Auckland representatives, was presented with a liqueur stand on behalf of tho members of the team. In recognition of the many kindnesses which ho had shown them during their visit to Auckland, the Wollingtonians presented Mr. F. S. Shirriffs, captain of the Auckland team, with a silver-mounted cane. HAWKE'S BAY TOURNAMENT. AUCKLAND LADIES' SUCCESS. Tho Auckland Ladies' Hockey representative team, which left by the Main 'JL'iunk on Tuesday, August 17, were met at Hastings by Mr. Shirley, secretary of the Hawko's Bay Association. On Thursday they indulged in a little practice on the Recreation Ground, and on Friday the tournament commenced. The weather was fine, and tho grounds were in splendid condition, and so they continued right up to the last day, when light showers of rain fell during the last match. As already announced, Hawko's Bay A won tho championship with 16 points, Auckland being two points behind. Then followed Nelson (11 pointsi, Taranaki (10), Hawko's Bay B (9), Wairararapa A (8), Wellington (6), Horowhenua (3), vVanganui (2), Wairarapa B (1). The Auckland ladies are to be congratulated upon their success. They won all but, one of their matches, and that was against tho home team. Although Hawko's Bay won by three goals to nil the score was by no means a criterion of the strength of the teams, for tho greater part of the first spell Auckland had the home team defending, and the second spell was very even. The weakness of tho Aucklanders was shown in the circle. The play of the Auckland ladies was good on the whole, but Miss Ward, in goal, was a disappointment, and had Miss N. Bennett gone in her place Auckland might have had fewer goals scored against them. Miss Muriel Payton was tho pick of the back division; Miss M. Hanan also played well right through. The halfline, consisting of the Misses M. Western, 0. Maris Clark, and K. Wynyard, was certainly the best in tho competition. Of the forwards Miss R. Daines stood out prominently, and played her best right up to the last." She proved most dangerous in the circle, scoring nine of the 20 goals registered. Miss Cooke also played splendidly; she kept her place well, and never attempted to score, but loft that for those* who were in a better position to do so. Miss Probcrt comes third in order of merit, and had she been playing left wing right through she would have proved of greater benefit to her side. Miss E. Maris Clark also deserves mention. She was tho neatest and trickiest of the forwards, but was suffering from a cold for the greater part of the time, and was unable to do herself justice. Miss M. Steele only once played up to her usual brilliancy, while Miss Kenny was very disappointing. The rulings of tho referees met with general approval. «w— LADIES' MATCHES. RANGATIRA A WIN THE CHAM:. PIONSHIP. The Rangatira A-Moana, ladies' match was played as a "curtain-raiser" to the shield match on Saturday, and resulted in a win for the Rangatira team by three goals to nil. Tho ground provided was very rough in some places, and somewhat upset, the players' calculations. Moana attacked hotly at the outset, but their play lacked finish, and Rangatira's defence was equal to the strain. The situation was finally relieved, Miss Kenny being very prominent in attack. The first goal was scored by Miss Mavis Cook, and this was followed by ono from tho stick of Miss Kenny, which was fast enough to remind ono of Mason's drives. In the second spell Moana again set up an attack from the. bully off, but this was soon repulsed, and Rangatira made their position moro safe by Miss Steele dribbling into the circle and scoring the third and last goal. Rangitira A has now won the Auckland ladies' championship and 'silver buckles.

AUOKLAND UNIVERSITY V. WALHI. [BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.! Waihi, Saturday. Two hockey matches were played on the local ground to-day. The first was between the Tauranga and Pacroa clubs' teams, the form winning by four goals to nil. The scorers were Quid ton (2), J. Guinness, and Jordan. Tho second game was between the Auckland University team and the Waihi representatives, the visitors winning by five goals to one. NORTH SHORE V. THAMES. [by TELEGRAM.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Thames, Sunday. A match that excited more than usual interest took place on Saturday afternoon, between the North Shore players and a local eleven. The afternoon was fine and the ground in good order, but tho play of the visitors was disappointing. They lacked combination, and throughout the game bunched together and spoilt one another's play. Tho local players were not brilliant, but had no difficulty in notching five, goals during the first spell. In the second spell the visitors improved considerably. The local men eventually won by seven goals to nil. For the visitors Farquharson, as fullback, was undoubtedly the best beck on the ground. For the winners Hosking and Donovan were the pick of the forwards, and Rockley was good in the rear. Mr. S. Ferguson controlled the game. AUCKLAND-THAMES MATCH. [BY TELEGRAPH. OWN COBP-ESFONDEN'T.] Thames, Sunday. The result of the Auckland-Wellington match has robbed next, Saturday's match with Auckland of considerable interest, but despito the absence, of the shield the local eleven will be tho strongest combination sent from hero for years, and should put, up a good game against the Auckland representatives. CANTERBURY V. WANGANUI. [BY TELEGRAPH. PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Christchurch, Sunday. Wanganui met Canterbury at Sydenham Park yesterday afternoon, in the presence of a fair number of spectators. Canterbury had much the better of the game during the- first spell, but the visitors showed better combination in the, latter half, and put up an excellent performance. The game finished: Canterbury, 4 goals; Wanganui, 2 goals.