HOCKEY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LII, Issue 187, 11 September 1909, Page 5

HOCKEY.

(By "Sport.")

R EPRESENTATIV E FIXTURES

Sept. 11.— Thames v. Auckland, at Auckland .. „• , * Sept. 18.— Manawatu v. Wellington, at Wellington.

l'J(»9 will no down in athletic rceordb ' ».> a season of surprises. In internsi- ' tioii.il cricket tin- Australians, contrary | to the opinions of numerous criticwere too good for the chosen of the Old World and retained the "ashes." Football results in the ddminion this season ' have upset calculations repeatedly, and in the rapidly expanding arena "| hockey this is also the ca&e, file most recent instance being last Saturdays Wellington-Auckland match at Auckland, when Wellington carried back with it the much-sought-after New ' Zealand challenge, shield. To ino^t southern horkeyists— Taranaki included -the result of tho match came as a welcome surprise ; welcome, not becauhv Viirkland was beaten, but purel> Ik--fjiuse a change had been effected in the holder of championship honours and the shield. . Auckland will not do so badly out of last Saturday's challenge match. Over £110 was taken at the gates, exclusive nf the sale of tickets, so that the Auckland Association's fund will be consideinbly augmented. A challenging team does not participate in the "gate "The glorious uncertainties of the game" is a term frequently used in cricket and hockey ites— the majority «>f whom are cricketers— are fully justified in applying it to the great winter stick "amc (say* the Auckland Star). The calculations of the prophets were completely upset by the Wellington representatives, who were generally regarded as being a strong team, but it was nover anticipated that the Empiie City's chosen eleven would beat the ndfTß at their own game, and treat the great gathering of spectators last Saturday to such a fine passing and combined game. The ,Wellingtonians' piny was entirely beyond the expectations of their most sanguine supporters, for the whole team rose to the occasion and played the game of its life. A record crowd — not only for Auckland, but for the dominion — assembled in ant inpat ion of a good game, and they weir not disappointed, for the match will lv rememl>ered as one of the most memorable in the annals of New Zealand lioekey. How keen was the excitement when, with barely five minutes to go. Wellington led by 3 goals to 1, and the Aucklanders were harassing their opponents' defence! Hut it wns when Auckland's second goal was registered that tho greatest cnthusiabm wab

shown, for the locals' chance of makinu a draw rose considerably. The stubborn defence of the visitors, however kept their Btar in the ascendancy, and by the narrow margin of one point th< black and golds left the field victors, and in a very short space of time weio in possession of the handsome challenge shield. The same writer remarks thnt Auckland owned its defeat to the want of combination, for never have th< blue - and - whites in represents t is « matches indulged in so much individual play. Speaking to a Dominion report ci Mr. W. J. Organ, chairman of the Wellington Association and captain of the representative team, said: — "After tho first eight or ten minutes I Knew we must win. When we arrived in Andland we met thousands of people-, who dicl not give us v chance. The.v knew that the defenders had a good team in the field, and that it would take a i<markable combination to beat it. A - a matter of fact, however, there was not a man in our team who was 'oficolour.' Every man was in extraordinary form. There were no shiggaids— no passengers. Every man fully deserved his place, and, on the whole, the Aueklanders svere out-classed. Our men simply excelled themselves. And I won.l like to add this: We were treafed right royal l.s . The Auckland men are real sports. The.v expected to win, but a> they did not they took their beating like men and real sports, and if Hi" shield is taken from us I hope it wil! be by Auckland."

Wellington's right to the title ol champions is to be early contested Manawatu meeting them in a challenge match next Saturday. Manawatu had arranged a shield fixture with Auckland, but the rules governing sluclc* contests provide for the transfer of challenges (received before the stipulated time) in the event of the shield beinig "lifted." This game, I belies i will be one of the last of the season* interprovincial matches. For next season, however, three challenges for the shield are in al ready. In view of the proposed south crn tour of our representative teair next season, the secretary of the Tara naki Association "got in early" with a challenge, but not before Auckland and Canterbury. In connection with the pro|)osed southern tour, a scheme has been brought under my notice for financing or as sisting to finance the team. Tlio&chemc appears quite practicable as well as"practical," ior all players would be called upon to assist in a .small way ti> build up a fund to be specialy earmarked ior the representative team s travelling expenses. It is that tron, the commencement of next playing season all players would pay into this special fund through their club one shilling weekly, or other amount decided upon. With the proceeds of dances and functions organised for the pur pose the sum total would very mate rially assist to finance a team. In the past those players who have represent ed the province at hockey on tour have had to pay pretty dearly for the lion our, ana the above scheme should meet with the approval of all players. It> advantages aro obvious. It would mean that players would necessarils be more interested in the selection of the icpresentative team. and. moreover, endeavour to gain a place. Ihe selection committee, instead of having to ascertain "what players are available," would select a team and fill up vacancies afterwards with the best players available. The present has been an "off season locally for representative fixtures. Next year, however, a good programme year, however, a good programme should be provided with the visit of an Auckland team and the proposed southern tour. The Canterbury Times' special correspondent, writing on the recent New Zealand ladies' tournament at Napier »ays: "Taranaki bad one of the best forward lines engaged in the tourna ment. Miss Winks, on the right wing was the best player on that side seev during the eight da vs. and all her col ltagues played well together, their passing at times being brilliant. Tin half-back line failed in attack, and thus robbed the forward line of a lo' of support. The full-backs and goal keeper were good."