HOCKEY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2811, 26 August 1908, Page 36

HOCKEY.

A local firm of booksellers (says the Auckland Herald) has received the following letter from a lady residing in Hie country: " Dear Sir. — Would you kindly forward me a copy of the rules in hockey ; also ' First Aid to the Injured,' as we propos starting the game in our district?" THE WELLINGTON TOURNAMENT. AUCKLAND, August 20. Owing to several best players being unable to get away, Auckland Ladies' Hockey Association this evening decided not to participate in the big tournament commencing at Wellington on September 4. OTAGO v. CANTERBURY. The fifth interp-rovincial hockey match between Otago and Canterbury was favoured with almost ideal weather conditions at Cariebrook on Saturday. Of the previous matches three had been won by the northern province, while the fourth, played at Christchurrih last year, ended in "a draw. These results indicate that hookey has been gradually growing stronger in Dunedin, and speculation was current this year as to whether Canterbury would be able to maintain her unbeaten record. Unfortunately, owing to the inability of many prominent players to make the trip, the visiting province was but weakly represented, and this fact must not be lost sight of if comparisons a/re to be made. There were some 500 spectators present at the match, a large proportion of these being ladies who had come out to witness the ladies' trial match played on the ground beforehand. The teams took the field as follows: — Canterbury (Black and Red). — Goalkeeper. H. Luxton ; full backs, E. Ackrovd (captain). P. Campbell ; halves— F. Ha3lipan, J. Anderson D. Snell; forwards — A. Stewart, T. W. Jacobs. E. Ballinger, C. Featherstone, R. Browning. Otago (White). — Goalkeeper, N. O. White; full backs. T. W. J. Johnson, J. Ryburn (captain) : halves— P. Thomson, N. Moore. C. Eenwick ; forwards — A. Madill, E. Calder T. Cuttle, G. Gower, M. Rutherford. Canterbury won the toss, and elected to defend the_southern goal during the first spell. The game was fast from the start. There was an exchange of hits be-" tween the backs, and Campbell got in a eplendid bit from near his own goal-line. Johnson was prominent in some cool and clever defensive work for Otago and then Madili secured, and after a good run up the line centred nicely to Cuttle, who shot a hard, clean goal a few minutes after the game had started. Otago 1 ffoal. Canterbury Nil. Calder drove the ball again into Canterbury's net shortly afterwards, but was penalised for knocking-on. Some take play followed, and free hits were given acu-inst both sides. A dangerouslooking "Canterbury attack wae_ spoiled by a man getting offside in the circle, and a free hit was awarded Otago. The visitors continued to press, and were awarded a free hit in a good position. From this Jacobs secured, and passed to Rallin#er, who enabled Browning to get a shot. The ball, however, went wide, and Otago conceded a short corner. The home forwards, among whom Rtitherford was conspicuous, rushed the ball to the other end of the field, and shots from Madill and Cuttle were brilliantly saved by Aokroyd. Several Canterbury rushes were cleverly broken up by John6on. and Anderson twice got his side out of difficulties by good, hard hitting. A fast rush by Madill was stopped, and the ball returned by Ackroyd, and Campbell successfully warded of a combined attack by Rutherford and Gower. Gower had an un.succs3sful shot at goal & little later, and then the name had to be temporarily stopped owing to Cuttle getting a nasty blow in the face from the ball. From the «üb-sequenr bully the home forwards made a determined rush, but Luxton saved by kicking to the line. Otago continued to attack for the remainder of the spell, which elided : Otago « . . l^froal. Canterbury . ... Nil. The visitors assumed the offensive at the opening of the second spell. A free hit was awarded Otago, but Campbell successfully checked the resulting ru-«h. A long hit by Madill eet the Otago forwards going, but Halligan relieved, and Featherstone headed an invasion of the home twentyfive. At this stage of the game the scene of play was shifting rapidly from one end of fhe field to the other, and the pace was very fast. Featherstone had an easy shot at 2oal, but drove the ball over the n-et.

The Otago forwaTds— particularly Gower and Rutherford — took part in some pretty, combined rushes, and were being well supported full backs. Calder looked like scoring once, but Ackroyd was there, and saved by hitting over the line. The visitors were again attacking shortly afterwards, and "White was called on to stop a shot. Thomson relieved, and then followed the most exciting piece oi^ play of the day. Calder got possession of the bell in his own half of the field, and after passing Camp"« bell, who let him away by trying a flying shot, he took the ball right to the circle^ cleverly beating several opponents on* the way, and passed at the right moment to Rutherford, who made no mistake with the shot. Otago _ ... .„ 2 goals. Canterbury , , Nil. Caldeor was subsequently prominent in several other promising passing rushes, I which Ackroyd did much to render ineffec* i tive. Towards the close of the game the" visitors set up a very warm attack, but tha defence of Ryburn, Johnson, and Thomson ' was equal to the strain. The last incident of the game was a bad miss on the part of Ryburn. but White cam© to the rescue with a. long drive to the line. The game - thus ended: Otago ... . ,„ 2goaJ6-. > Canterbury Nil • It was unfortunate that Qanterbuiry could not send down her strongest team, but, as it was, the visitors a-re the first "to admit that tihe better team won. The moat noticeable feature of the play was fch« 6plendid combination of the home for- 1 i wards, doubtless due to the fact that four" of them belong to the same club, and have been playing together throughout the season. Calder and Rutherford weafe in parI ticularly fine form, and fully justified tho high reputations they have already gained. The visiting forwards, on the otifeer hand, <35d not eeetn Jo ranJesrstaiDd each otihier'is play at all well. They were frequently to be found out of their places, and very little, use was made of either of the wing n-ien. Aokroyd was easily the "pick of tho backs, and his vigorous defensive work was invaluable to his side. He was ably sup-" ported by Campbell, and Bailigan among the halves was also frequently prominent:" Neither of the goal-keepers was called on. to do much, but what came their way waa done well. Johnson, full back fox Otago, played the best back game on the ground. His cool and skilful breaking up of Canterbury, rushes called forth frequent ap* | plause from the spectators. Rybuarn was safe and sure, as usual, and put in much, solid defensive work, as did Thomson among the halves. The game as a whol* was very even and fast throughout, and the fact that the pace was kept up to the finish was a tribute to the training of the players taking part, even considering that ' the spells lasted but 35 minutes. The. shooting of both teams was hardly up to representative form, and several excellent? * chances were thrown away. Considering t I the prevalence of undercutting, it is a won- [ der that more accidents did not occur; and in this connection it may be sftid that, - I though neither team was blameless, the visitors were certainly the worst offenders-. The game was ably controlled by Mr H. Hellyer. At the conclusion of the game the ladies of the Waiata Hockey Club provided a. generous afternoon tea for the players. The visitors wore subsequently entertained a.t a dinner at th© City Hotel.