HOCKEY HITS.

Observer, Volume XXXV, Issue 49, 14 August 1915, Page 22

HOCKEY HITS.

[By Linh-Out.]

THE Auckland Hockey Association championship matches were continuedi last Saturday, when wine were recorded as follows :— University, 8, v. Auckland, I; Areta, 3, v. Mount Eden, 2. The principal attraction of the day was the University-Aucklaaid meeting, looked upon to produce a very close contest. The greatest of surprises occurred, and, no matter how hopeful any of the students eupporters might have been, none predicted such a big win as 8 goals to 1. The studtents simply excelled themselves and played a game right out of the bag. The work of the forwards was of the highest standard and recalled earlier Auckland hookey. Ihe speedy five could not go wrong. Ihe weXess of the Auckland team ay in their endeavour to bolster it up, the fullbacks played too far up tbe field This: in the mam. can be regarded! a 8 responsible for their being drawn to the wings so much. Ihe fault was most pronounced in tie first spell, in which University put on six goals. The speedy 'Varsity vanguard working in sp «tyle quickly detected the fault of Auckland and' accepted the chances that offered. Although the game.wasso much in the students' favour there Avere periods Avhen both teams, exhibitea Some exceedingly clever Avork. To individualism the students offers a very difficult task, for all Slaved thS/best and contributed .to 5 g& win by a substantial margin. Auckland, on the other hand cut fared. Baker improved with the gtnt, but Sloman, usually so brilliant in speculation, Avas off and added to the defect already menSSS, and it is no wonder Auckland met reverse. Of the fives, Steele was best, and forward Osborne. University's success definitely settles the Championship for the seasoli With only tAvo more matches to be decided and holding a lead of six pointe the students' position is unavailable. Auckland are second on the list with eleven point* and Areta third with ten, while Mt. Eden possess a brace. The Areta-Mt. Eden match offered open speculation and was not regarded in a serious .light. . Avery |ood game resulted in a win for the blacks'. The reorganisation of the Areta back division can be regarded as an improvement. Curtis is certainly a better full-back than half, but the understanding that exists between England and Ellison will take more time to work up with England and Curtis. Ellison's appearance as centrehalf was an experiment that should have been tried earlier. The all important position has been a weak spot in the team this season. Uotn Richards and Stainton were seen to greater advantage, Avhile among the forwards Wittaker and Thomas were most prominent. King and Till were sound in Mt. Eden's last line of defence. Hunt Avas on his best game at halfRankin made a good first appearance and indulged in good stick work. Of the forwards M. Alexander, Fletcher and Malcolm were best. The senior championships were inaugurated in 1914, when after an interesting series of games United snatched a win by the narrowest ot

margins firom Auckland and won the championship. Auckland and United for the next three years fought out the final but- in each year the Auckland eleven proved, victorious. This trio of wins enabled them to win outright the championship cup presented by Mr...Davis. Auckland presented the cup to the Association under the old conditions of compet-i tion and in 1907 again fought the championship with United. That was a memorable battle. Wretched weather conditions had prevailed l up to the appointed day and the contest was fought out on a ground covered with pools of water. Until the last minute the score was level and' then the ball stopped in a pool of water in the circle. "Bob" Barry (now among the wounded at the Dardanelles) raced up and with one of his characteristic strokes swung on to the ball. Amidist a shower of water the ball went into the net and United worn another championship. Auckland in 1908, 1909, and 1910, after a series of brilliant wins, in which both United and University were well banished 1 while the season's honours were within their grasp, added' three more championships

and again won outright the championship cup. Theirs was a wonderful performance It Avas in 1911 University gained their first championship, and repeated the performance in 1912. In 1913 Auckland notched another season's honours, in 1914 Areta made their appearance in the championship list, and this season the honour again falls to University. It will be seen that Auckland haA'e won seven out of thirteen championships, University three, United tAvo, and Areta one. The final of the ladies' championship was decided on Saturday, when Training College and Mount Eden met for the season's honours. A good, hard game terminated in a splendid Avin for Mount Eden by 3 goals to nil. The Avinners played a game of the real solid! order. Their hitting was of the sharp, well directed order, and, accepting the value of position, were always in readiness to accept chances.

The work of the half line calls for special mention, for the deadly tackling . completely blocked the College forwards from getting under way. For the past four years Training College have held the championship, and Mount Eden's first possession of the banner is well merited. The team have gone through a series of nine matches without defeat, winning seven and drawing two. The members of the Mount Eden Club tendered a farewell! smoke concert to Messrs F. B. Fergusson, L. R. Waygood, H. M. G-ittos and E. T. Bndgens, four members who leave for Trentham with the next reinforcements.