HOCKEY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7111, 25 April 1910, Page 5

HOCKEY

OPENING OF THE SEASON. RESULTS AT A GLANCE. United 4 Y.M.C.A 1 Karori 4 Metropolitan 1 Wellington „ 1 Victoria Collcga ... 1 The men's' senior and junior competitions, under the jurisdiction ot the -Wellington Hockey Association, were commenced on Saturday afternoon in anything but plaasant weather. The form ehown by tbe sevoral teams was what may be termed good for tho beginning of tho season. United, who were defeated last year by Y.M.C.A. turned the tables this year, tho Y.M. team suffering defeat by four goals to one. The other senior game decided at tho Bay was devoid of interest, owing to the players not having properly struck form yet. Tho score is a fair indication of the respective merits of ths two teams on the day's play. Karori, as was expected, accounted for Metropolitan in a somewhat easy way, but the latter should, as the season progresses, provide some of the teams with a good contest. Two junior games were decided at the Bay, while tho remainder were contested on suburban grounds. TOOTED (4),v. Y.M.O.A. (1). Especial interest centred in the meeting of united and Y.M.C.A. on No. 3 ground, Day's Bay. In the first match of last season Y.M.C.A. won. On Saturday United, last year's champions, had an altered team, while Y.M.CA., with one exception, was tho same as before. Play opened fast, tho bwtter setting tho pace. , It had not proceeded far when United were in difficulties. Tho Y.M. forwards were showing great idash, and they found weaknesses in their opponents' defence. Onco they reached the goal-mouth, but Carde's shot just missed. Afterwards they fell back, and Elliott (United) tested Collie's capabilities in goal with a hard shot. The latter admirably saved. United's forwards were not playing too w-ell together, but by hard tv.ttiug by Hickson at back they kept well up. Jones inside left, drew Collie out of goal and made an opening for Smythe, who had uo hesitation in scoring. United 1, Y.M.C.A 0. At tho other end Y.M.C.A. bombarded the reds' goal. One shot was cleverly, stopped by Allen, tho goalkeeper. At last, however, Oarde beat down his good defence. United 1, Y.M.C.A. 1. The score did not tremble in the balance long, for Elliott showed his scoring ability by adding a second goal for United. It was a good shot; Half-time cams with the tally. United 2. Y.M.C.A. 1. With this advantage, the reds confidently opened the second spell, and whilo their opponent's, perhaps, had the better of the game at first, it was now apparent that United were improving. The'.r third goal came off Owen's suck. Ow-en was ono of the now players, and his effort was a creditable one. He playod inside right. United o, Y.M.C.A. 1. Another of United's attacks proved sucosssful. The ball was workod up the left w_ipg. From a corner hit, Smythe followed it right into the goalmouth, whoro he piloted it between the posts. This was the final score of the match, jvhich concluded—United 4, Y.M.C.A. J... Mr H. V. Walton refereed. For the winners, none were so . prominent as Smythe (left wing) and Hickson (full-back), ■rile others mostly wore below form, although Allen impressed favourably in goal. The two new men, Jones and Owen, who occupy the insido position, should prove acquisitions. On the other side, both wingers—Loader and Parton—played with dash. Dawson (left half) and Parton (full-back) were also good.

KARORI (4) v. METROPOLITAN (1). These two teams had the honour, of being tba first to play senior games on the Kelburne Park. .Metropolitan, who last year played in the junior championship, and wont through without a loss, met their Waterloo in senior hookey at the hands of tho Karori Club. After several passing rushes up and down field, during which time the- backs- were called upon to do their utmost to meet the- attacks of their opponents, Oram, for Karori, scored the first ' goal. Determined rushes by the "metropolitan forwards met with no success the Karori :backs proving too good- for them. Shortly before half-time sounded ./ram secured from a pass Karori's • second goal.

In the second half Karori repeated their former but their effpris to score proved useless. GondaJLl sent Davies across a pass which enabled the latter. to shoot «.aroij's third goal. From a penalty corner, Burbush obtained possession and sent the ball between the uprights, making the score read: Karori 3, Metropolitan 1 Murphy was the net scorer, he adding the fourth and final point to Karori's total Even play characterised the concluding stages of the gaane. Mr W. J. Hunter qarried out the duties of referee

VICTORIA COLLEGE (1) v. WELLINGTON (1)

The meeting of thesa two teams did not result in what may be termed an interesting game. From the commencement of the game, to the end of play it was of an uainterosting character, with several occasional brsaks of good play. The collegians were the first to look dangerous just after the bally, but by careful plav Morpath (in goal) got Wellington but of the difficulty _ with :a nice, timed kick. After some defensive play on tho part ol ..ellinstott, Thompson took the ball to the circle, but his shot failed to find the net. fa. fatrack, for College, had an unsuccessful! shot, while Otere, the Wellington left ■wing had a shot, which struck an op. ponents body and glanced into tho goal For the rest of the-spell both teams made frequent visits to each other's circle, while the goalkeepers on either side distinguished themselves with excellent saves Both forward lmss at times combined well but when inside tnair opponents' twenty-five yard line the attempts were spoilt by defective play. Half-time sounded without either side scoring.

The opening stages of the second half again saw College on the attack, but aga.'n their attempts proved fruitless. Wellington, probably realising that time was slipping away, brightened un somewhat, and for a time some good combined play amone the forwards resulted. Olere, on tho right wing, obtained the ball and sent in an easy shot, which evaded ths' goalkeeper Wellington 1, Collego 0. From the bully College rushed to. vvelllngton circle, but by good defence th,2dr efforts were repulsed. College, principally through the agency of G. Strack. got into the circle and a hot shot from © Straclc hit the goalkeeper's pads and went over the cro-=s bar. Wellington again rushed play to the College circle, but the ball went behind From the corner College obtained possession, and G-. Strack. having matters comparatively easy, Bent in a difficult shot, which landed just inside the left goalpost. Wellington 1, College 1. Despite the efforta of both teams to enhance the score, the game ended in a draw. ..Mr W. E; Southwick controlled the game. JUNIOR. .. . . The United versus Victoria College B game on th'3 No. 5 ground. Day's Bay, ended in favour of the former. bv seven goals to five. . Brotherton (3), Wills (2), oargent' (1), and Hollis (1) contributed to ■.ted'e" total. . Vernon (3),. and Cook (2) were responsible for Collegians' goals. Mr v>: A- Keall acted as referee. Wellington, playing against Metropolitan on No. 4 ground. Day's Bay. defeated them by four goals to two aft2r a fast. and even game. For the winners, goals were scored oy Dunn (2), Turtou and Lynch. Kowberry and Burdekin were euccessful for Metropolitan Mr Keys was tho referee Karori, -playing against' Gregg's, at' Karori, easily defeated them by nine goal 3 lo two. St. Patrick's College Old Boys won their match with Petone on ths latter'B ground oy five goals to,two. , F. Francis (2), Quinn (2). and Twohul scored for St. Pat's., while Webley obtained the two goals for Petone. Government Life, playing against Y.M.C.A. on the Duppa Street Deserve, defeated them-by nine goals to one. For the winners, goals were registered by. McDonald (31, . Wollerman (2), Williams a.nd Mnshel. The other goal was shot for Government life by a Y.M.C.A. man.

Victori-i College A team registered a win against Wesley, with the score reading six goals to two. Butherford (2), Brodie. Kibblewliite, and Griffiths scored for the Collegians, while for Wesley James and Wilson were responsible. ... .