HOCKEY.

Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 1 October 1913, Page 4

HOCKEY.

RODNEY GIVES THE AUCKLAND REPS. A SMASHING DEFEAT BY

8 GOALS TO NIL.

The' Rodney team excelled itself on Saturday. It entered the playing area on Shoesmith's ground, determined to fight gamely, what was expected to be a losing battle. And they won by eight goals to nothing. The Auckland team was beaten in all departments of the game, and badly; beaten at that. The" local" reps, jnever played a better game, the pace Was warm from start to finish, there was no bunching. as on the previous Saturday, the combination was as unselfish as it was effective, and the defence of the backs was as a stone wall., v, The Teams. . Auckland, colours dark blue and white. Goal, Lamb; backs, Baker, Laird; halves, Garrett, White and McFhersqn (substitute); forwards, Manning, Reid, Parton (centre), Gilfillan and Ciilpan. Rodney, colours green and white. Goal, Langridge; backs, H. Smith, Viall;* halves, J. Smiths . Croker., Philips; "forwards, S. Mormon, * Civil* Vipond : J. MorHson and Andrews; \'' f ■ . After a game of football by Warkworth players as a curtain raiser, Captains Parton and Morrison tossed for ends, and the Aucklander decided to defend the eastern goal. From bully (iff the green and whites got busy. A drive upfield by Baker was returned by H. Smith, Culpan took possession, but the ball crossed the side line. From throw in Andrews started a run, Laird relieved. The local van was soon back alternately led by Andrews on the one side; and 3. Morrison on the other. Temporary relief came through the transfer of the bail to Manning thence to Parton, but Croker interposed, and soon S. Morrison was streaking. Baker stopped the onward flight of the Bluff captain, but the ball was soon back on the other side of the field Andrews had a shot which Lamb blocked. Civil secured and passed to J. Morrison, who passed again to S. Morrison and goal one was notched, with considerable excitement. That excitement grew some when a few minutes later Selwyn repeated the performance after a good run. Auckland responded, and the visiting van entered Rodney's circle, but the shots of Gilfillan and Manning went wide. There was plenty of ginger in the last named forward's attempt. The Rodney forwards continued pressing their attentions on Auckland's goal. Lamb ran out and kicked the danger clear, White sending the ball on to Parton, but Viall blocked and returned, and shortly after Lamb took a warm one on his pads, and with quickness cleared. A free hit for obstruction was fielded by H. Smith who returned well down the side line. The local forwards were soon in possession after the throw in, till Baker ended their ownward way and found the side line. Reid was prominent in an Auckland attack, but tsie visitor found J. Smith a full stop, and a transfer to Vipond, saw the Matakana forward proceeding with haste for the Auckland. circle. He was well supported, and the attack ended in S. Morrison scoring the third goal. After bully off Selwyn was back again, with that easy stride of his that doesn't look as fast as it is. The, shot went. .wide. From quarter, way bully White put in some good work, and provided an opportunity which Gilfillan proceeded to use till Croker caused a transfer. Manning took on the leadership, and he got past EricViall's fiTst attempt to stop, bat the sceond came a second later, and then the ball was speeding in the contrary direction. Andrews came away with a nice run but Laird sent it out over the line well upfield. A rush by j the visitors was terminated by H. Smith, who enabled the local forwards to commence a counter demonstration which Civil brought to the desired end by netting goal 4. Half-time then sounded. The green and whites had the sun in their eyes for the second half. On resuming play Manning a&d Culpan were prominent in an Auckland excursion, but the ball crossed .•the back line atan other place than betweenjthe posts. Andrews put in a good run in response and got through to Auckland's circle, but his shot did not add to the score. Laird provided temporary relief from Rodney's assaults, but Auckland at length conceded a corner hit. The visitors swept up field, but Viall sent the ball back,and Vipond had a shot in tho circle, which Lamb creditably stopped and cleared. The ball was on its way back, when Baker received a knock on the foot. After rubbing the Auckland full back's knee, the game resumed. Reid made a couple of good runs, but the- local defence was tod. solid to break through and soon tho green and whites were invading Auckland's circle: Yipond adding goal 5. The visitors gave a little of what they could do, but the quickuess of the Rodneys soon transferred the play to the other end of the field. Laird in waiting a tick too long m clearing had the ball taken from him and the Auckland goal was again n danger till Baker cleared. But the ball was back again and Civil found the net after the whistle had blown. Two minutes the same thing happened at the other end of the field, Parton put a shot home after the whistle had gone for a breach. Not to be done in a very few minutes Sep. Civil had another opportunity, and success attended his effort for goal 6 was registered, Auckland van tried to get through but eacfc of tfce local backs were playing safe, hard and brilliantly Baker put in a good dribbling run, which ViaU brought to an end. Reid 3£j) w- J!?*?' I?adins the vißitor's attack, but the backs soon had the

ball aWay 'to the for w a -fls With the ■'help uf.Maokay Philips. 8. M/ornson continued the forward march, U'll Lamb running out to .meet him.kicked the ball out of danger zom. Audraws soon had it back again and rvJigiiitored ?oal 7. Shortly after bully offi, Baker tried another dribbling run* and again Viall interposed. S. Morrison had another shot in the circle^ and the cannonade was sustained by the Rodney van till at last Selwyn g^t a sliot in from close to the line and! scored what the referee ruled wasj a goal, though the Auckland captain from further,down the field disputed the ruling. So the game ended 8 goals to nil. Mr McGechie rendered valuable service as referee. ] • It was an ideal day, and Boniethmg like three hundred foil? lined the green. Many of the ladies appeared in1 their spring costumes. The Town Band under Bandmaster Hume pr/vkkd sweet melody, and it vr&a a xz&i good afternoon's outing. ; After The Game Was Over. After tea in the Warkworth Hotel Mr French chairman of the looai Hockey Sub-Association, expressed appreciation for the visit of the team, though he confessed to^ some, disappointment at the result,of the game. They wished to be taught> so as to gain help for next year's battles, but the only effect likely* was to. increase self confidence. Captain John Morrison endorsed the Chairman's welcome. Both Mr Culpan and Captain Parton expressed the desire of the Association to assist Rodney as far as. lay in its power. Mr Parton said it was a fact he was not able to explain, that Auckland teams on country grounds did not show to advantage. He would not minimise the victory and though the visitors had not played up to their reputation, the Rodney boys deserved high credit for the'great game they had played. If there was one thing he would be allowed to say it was the desirability of greater strictness in the obstruction rute. In response to a vote of appreciation for the services of the referee; Mr McG/echie referred to the criticism in regard to goal 8. He was sure his verdict was correct. Cheers for each team and for Mr McGechie ended the gathering.