HOCKEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15649, 1 July 1914, Page 6

HOCKEY.

REPRESENTATIVE MATCH, AUCKLAND DEFEATS TARANAKI The touring Taranaki hockey team, which was defeated by Waikat-o for the Norden Cup at Hamilton on Saturday, met the Auckland representative team at Eemuera yesterday afternoon in fine j weather. The local team was not the strongest that could bo got totcther, several players not being available. It was, however, a strong combination, and the match was fairly well contested, notwithstanding tho score of 6 goals to 0 in Auckland's favour. Taranaki warmed to their work fron\, tho opening bully, and attacked, bat the advantage was short-lived, and the Iocs! men were soon hotly pressing the visitors. Faulty stick-work, however, nullified tbo attack, and the Taranaki backs averted the danger for somo time. An Auckland rush, started by, Whittaker, ultimately enabled that player to shoot successfully. Good work by Curtis for the amber-and-blacks kept the visiting forwards on the attack for some time, and Cotton was called upon to save. Just before half-time Thomas scored a second goal for Auckland by a neat piece of work in the circle, and half-time arrived with the score reading:— Auckland 2 Taranaki 0 Throughout tho second spell tho local forwards combined better, though tho insido men missed many opportunities in and near tho circle.' Every yard waj; well contested by the Taranaki backs, who more often than not beat the Amidanu vanguard for tho ball. Whit taker set the local forwards going on many occasions, and Smvtho also rendered good sen ice Oil the right-wing. Sparrow was particularly prominent in saving several hot shots, which ho did cleverly. Jacobser;. put in a fine run from near tho half-way flag, and, Beatins all opposition, scored a splendid goal from an acute angle. Almost immediately afterwards Whittaker again put I tho ball cm that player's stick and he I again coaled. Periodically tho Taranaki forwards broke away, and good combined rushes carried play to tho local team's circle. Tho defence, however, was too sound, both Jones and Speight offering a stubborn resistance. Jacobson added a further goal for Auckland, and Thomas scored the sixth before the final whistlt, sounded, with the score reading '.— i Auckland 6 Taranaki 0 Mr. L. H. Norton was referee. AUCKLAND V. WAIKATO. Tho following team has been chosen by the selector (Mr. L. H. Norton) to represent Auckland against Waikato in tho challenge shield match at Rcmuera on Saturday :— Goalkeeper: R. B. Sparrow (Areta). Fullbacks: H. B. Speight (University), J. H. Baker (Auckland). Half-backs: J. M. Alison (Ponsonby), : L. G. Robinson (University),-J. C. Rennio : (University). Forwards: P. Smythe (Auckland), W. H. Johns (Waipa), E. A. Whittaker (Areta), J. Mahoncy (University), C. N. Jacobscn (Univorsity). Reserves: Back, R. G. Sloman (College Rifles); half-back, A C. Johns (Mount Eden) forwards, R. W. Barry (College Rifles), J. Murray (Auckland). AUCKLAND V. RODNEY. 1 A team has been selected to represent Auckland against Rodney at Warkworth on Saturday. Arrangements *have been mado for the s.s. Hauiti to leave Auckland at 9 p.m. on Friday, and return from Warkworth at midnight, on Saturday. Fares are being paid by tho Rodney Association. Any player unable to go must advise the selector immediately. The team is as follows Goalkeeper, W. Allen (Auckland); fullbacks, R. England (Areta), W. M. Jones (University); halfbacks, A M. Rows (University), E. H. Von Stunner (College Rifles), W. F.Swan (Auckland); forwards, Snedaen (Ponsonby), A. Thomas (Arota), H. W. King (Univcr sity), N. R. Durham (Mount Edon), C. V. Mark (Oollego Rifles], Reserves: Fullback, A, King; halt-back, W. Stainton; 'forwards, H. Preston, E. McLcod, R. J. Murray. NOTES AND COMMENTS. Although tho senior competition was suspended on Saturday a record number (for this season) of spectators visited Remuera grounds. Tho ideal weather, no doubt, induced many to spend the afternoon out of doors, but tho main attraction was the representative trial match, and a surprising amount of interest was evinced in this event. Usually such fixtures are- witnessed by a few ardent enthusiasts, but tho crowd which lined the ground on Saturday last is conclusive evidence of tho interest that is being shown in the selection of the representative teams to defend the challengo shield. Such interest augurs well tor ttio association's finacoea, and if the shield is retained until Canterbury and Wellington make their attempts tho treasurer should be .ablo to materially decrease the debt on tho pavilion. Tho game itself was a good one, probably the best of its kind witnessed for seme years. Tie keenness of tho players, especially of tho now men, enthused plenty of life into tho gamo, and the paco was fast throughout. -earner part of the game was tho least interesting, owing to a tendency of the players to bunch, but when this mwtako was rectified play was open and fast. Quite a feature of tho gamo was tho fine play of Baker and Jones tho B's fullbacks, and their combined'efforts alone mado scoring by tho A vanguard extremely difficult. The A team did not show up to advantage until after tho opening of the second spell, when the selector mado several changes. Then the real combined forward i play of tho Jay was witnessed, and but for the fine defence of Baker and Jones several more goals would have undoubtedly been scored. As it was, two were re- , corded during the last spell. Dealing with tho players individually, there is little to say about the goalkeepers. Neither of them had any opportunities worth speaking of to show their abilities, the main defence being borno by the backs, and of ■this quartette Baker and Jones gained principal boaours. Tho former played right up to his old-time iorm, the return of which i 3 particularly .gratifying with the shield matches ahead. Jones's covering work was splendid, and his clearing and stopping of a very high order. He gets rid of the ball quicker than any other back in Auckland, and he will bo very much missed when ho leaves for Oxford in a fortnight's time. Speight was not seen at his best, and Sloman's work was disappointing, being far below his usual form. He was inclined to speculate on occasions. Of the half-backs, A. Johns played a very nice game, though not quite so "sure as some he has lately played in clnb matches, and occasionally be was inclined to delay clearing. Apart from this, he stopped well, and placed to nice ad-

vantage. Robinson showed improved form, but -was not always in position. Alison defended solidly, and left little causo for complaint. The B's were not 6ecn to 6ucb advantage. Rowo was fair, but often appeared to bo flustered. Ronnie played a sound game. Sim failed to I reproduce bis country form, and, in addition, his style was at fault. Of tho forwards, Sniythe, as right-wing in the B's, shaped well, and whon changed to the A's at half-time showed to advantage in the outside right position. Johns, as centre, was not altogether a success. Ho frequently won the bully, but always put it out on tho left side. Ho handles his stick in a most unorthodox manner, and possibly this accounts for it. A3 inside-right he combined spendidly with Whittaker and Smythe, and played cleverly, while his shooting was of the effective kind. Another run on tho ground should make him a strong link and a dangerous scoring man. Whittaker excelled himself in the centro position of the A line which he took during tho second half. Ho showed exceptional coolness and judgment in passing out tho ball after winning tho bully, and was indirectly responsible for John's goal. He kept good position and worked tho lino well, and if he can do tho same against strong opposition should prove a very useful centro. As usual, his shooting lacked sting. Murray was suffering froni a severe cold, and was not seen at his bc3t. Some of his work on the left-wing wat good, and as insideleft in tho A lino ho was fair, though not so nippy as usual. Jacobsen shaped very well as outside-right, and centred with nice judgment, while his work was satisfactory on tha other wing also. Of tho rest Thomas was most conspicuous, and his work was clever and nippy, whilo tho goal was deserved. Barry was disappointing, and it was only during the last few minutes, when he made two good runs, that he showed anything approaching representative fona. His work was unfinished and awkwird. Welham showed fair form, but can scarcely expect to prove a useful forward until ho shows more selfcontrol. Osborne was fair as insido right, but weak at centre. Mark showed a great turn of speed on the left-wing, but found difficulty in centring. ■ He rather spoiled his game by ono-handed play. He beat the opposing half and fullback many times.

The special general meeting of the Mount Eden Hockey Club, called for this evening, has been cancelled.