HOCKEY HITS.

Observer, Volume XXX, Issue 41, 25 June 1910, Page 22

HOCKEY HITS.

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Remuera Grounds presented; -VT v . » most picturesque appearance &'& ' last' Saturday, the many spectators- enjoying a splendid after;C* ton's sport.; *?" The strong southerly wind dried :V.the grounds rapidly," and with the /grass/cut and the playing areas well '. rolled, very fast games resulted. Chief-interest centred in the Auckland—United game, which resulted tor last # j ear's champions, and from a scientific , stand--Vppint was disappointing. 'V 'The first .spell was conspicuous for , /*tbe amount of whistle, but it was not '} the referee's fault, as glaring breaches of the rules W*ere frequent *>nd hardly to be expected from top- • notchers. '" United's ruse drew Kavanagh. I'-uway from the centre, and then ran ''through the gap and scored twice in r succession. Shiiriffs commenced b> fielding the ki ball, but after being badly beaten by the Auckland forwards, he left it ' severely alone, and took everything the'fly in a wonderful manner. Munro was very nippy in the field, \ ap& made a couple of wonderful runs. i- " Dickerson ran amuck when he lost -Lis stick, but he played a rattling ,vgame and should be heard of in rekl preventative hockey before long. '' Bob Barry stood alone in the van- ' guard, his tackling being,very dead- .' Iv, the game being remindful of A a few seasons back. What a marked to the remaining United hue c i« the manner in which he plays a ' rolling ball. His goal from a full tosser was an eye-opener. .' Willis, as right wing, did good Twork at times, but was mclired to over-run s Baker (full-back) maintains his ' reputation, but I think his style of play would be more beneficial to his ; side in the half line. * ' hit much better, but snowed signs of his old roaming . habit. •' In Mason's absence, Brooko-Smith again showed his vcisatility by playing centre forward, and made a ' great attempt to score when he threw himself at full length to reach a fast one from Welham*. 'A Mather received a great ovation from his club-mates after his recent holiday in TaranaH. • Although at times just a shade uncertain, he was <> a tower, of strength to Auckland. ' Murdoch was always there when ~-wanted, notched Auckland's •second goal. It is not often that the opposing full-backs come in contact with one , another, but Shirriffs and Baker did / —the latter, getting the best of the argument. - , When University took the field ' against' St. George's, it was general- - ly considered that they would '' emerge from the ordeal victorious. The glorious uncertainties of .the game nad not, however, been reckon-' for when time was called honours were even, with' a score of 2 goals each. "The contest was one brimful of exciting incidents. It was a fine exhibition of the stick game y and tho /great effort which terminated sue- ' cesefully when the blues - strove^t© * avert jdefeat in the last moments " x was justly rewarded. i The game had a dramatic -finish, *as close on time the score was fell. -Then Blackwell'netted, and the reds in'the' Jead ; and bully £ Varsity, came,_ away,, just f beating • the 'igoal-keeper a fraction v before the sounded:. A ), , , ' .' the/rede* Yuatodian, has, on Bat : u,&t%§^ejl^ hi* X A

y v\-Tattley<is an. acrobat<orno niean< order, 'judging ,by hie/turh into the. - net.' > - ! It was 'much' appreciated. : / ( The, remaining defence divison can v bo dismissed with mention/of Wat- . ters, t whose stopping and * placing, 'were'well «iirecf©al • "^ Adams (right wing) initiated many fine runs, but incurred several penalties for off-side. <■ , > , and Blackwell were a 'pair that bore the brunt of tho work, and ' severely harassed the opposing rear"guard. 'Varsity are fortunate in possessing such' fine full backs as sSpeight 1 and Richards, the manner in .which they stopped and cleared being a treat to witness* ' Pierce and Robin sojl (halves) shone when backing up ' their'forwards' attack. 1 The forward line did fine work- in the field, but in the coveted circle ' seemed/at a loss, to know what to do. The finish of the '/Varsity—St. George match was a capital example of the good results that are gained by playing to the whistle The only two pointless teams (North Shore and Grafton)met to decide who should remain at the bottom of the list. At the cessation of hostilities Grafton were the unfortunates. Shore adopted the elementary "hit hard and follow up tactics, and were successful in their effortsby 3 goals to 1. • The progressive policy of the Hockey Association is again in evidence- by the providing of more nets and the erection of a shed for the ladies The last 'was a badly-felt want, and the ladies are very pleased. Bob Anderson, our 1 ex-rep. fullback, but now resident of Taranaki, was a spectator at Saturday's games, and states that while the game is making such progress in the dairying province, a visit from the Aucklandcrs would give it a great impetus. During this season I have noticed a great defect '&mong some of our mil-backs. There seems to be an entire absence of any knowledge of placi is, players contenting themselves by hitting hard, straight at/ their opponents, whilst the forward division docs a freeze. An inclination to juggle with the ball when tho opponent is beaten al- ' most' invariably leads to disaster. The proposal of the local Referees' Association to have papers prepared and submitted at the fortnightly meeting is a fine idea for sifting the rules. Next week the chairman will submit a paper on the oft discussed off-side rule/ ' ' It is now twelve months since the New Zealand Referees' Conference was held al; Wanganui, and the management of affairs entrusted' to Christchurch. A lengthy sitting ensued, and many capital alterations were proposed. What .has become of them ? LADIES' HOCKEY. The ladies' matches provided interesting and keen contests, > and the leaders still maintain their positions. No ladies' match has for some seasons past aroused, such interest as the coming struggle on Saturday - next between Arawa and Rangatira A. - It practically means the deciding of the championship, and in all probability will be played \at .3 o'clock . Last year's "champions a strong "combination, and Arawa have n big proposition, before them , It is clearly evident that at no distant date the Ladies' Association must consider "'the advisability ,of - forming two '"grades. v ' There are about five teams who battle gamely everyv week/against opposition.com- . pletely beyond .their , ' ' Rangatira.A- were, somewhat.dis-, organised tWouah Mias,o6oke havjhg to, play -in* the f half lino. \ \ ;.' ; ' ( * The whistle on 'one £a^toa;"&tfne-; as &> thunderbolt to centre . v Jtalf< terrific stroke?,the ?

A probably •be back from"Paeroa during the week, aiid will assist'her,old club next Saturday. * Big scores were" the crder of ,-the day,-30 registered in five matches. - ' ■■ Moana gave a'dance in ( aid of, the touring team's funds, a 'most enjoyable evening insulting. * f On Monday next Mokoia give a concert. , It is 1 pleasing to, note that the Paeroa ladies' team has beea re-formed. Would/that' a visit could be made and matches such as were seen a few seasons ago against Wapiti, Moana arid. Kopana result. Although the A and B teams have been selected, no practice has been indulged in. The folly of no practice and leaving the final selection until the last moment was clearly demonstrated with the I£\o7 team. r ihe championship does not take place until August, but advice may save ' the Wituation. The first annual "At Home" of the Ladies' Hockey Club will take .place in St. Andrew's Hall on Monday, July 11th. Proceeds will be devoted towards the expense 'of sending the 'adies' representative team to the championship tournament at Nelson.