HOCKEY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12758, 30 September 1919, Page 2

HOCKEY.

FINAL SHIELD MATCH. AUCKLAND WINS THE TROPHY. The final Shield match of the season, which was played between Auckland and Canterbury at English Park on Saturday last will long lie remembered for the hostile public demonstration against the referee, such a proceeding being unique in hockey circles in, Christchurch, whore the public has shown a most impartial spirit, if anything visiting teams having the balance ul sympathy, irrespective of whether the home team was winning or losing, ’i he reasons for some of the rulings of tho referee in Saturday's match were hard to understand by those, who witnessed the play from the touch-linos, and one is forced to tho conclusion that penalties were 1 imposed for breaches which tho spectators were unable to sec. So far as tho play was concerned Auckland had the better of the game in the first spell. Johns, in the halt line for the visitors, Was very safe and his intercepting was particularly fine. The two Alexanders and Grice we.re the pick of the tonvards and put in some, very fine combined rushes, timing thoir passes well and only fine defence by Sopor and Martin kept them out of the net. Kemiie was the best of the two backs and put in some fine defensive play, and Hanna in goal performed very well and saved a few good ( shot«. The Canterbury team were all at sea in the first part of the game and could not understand the rulings against them. However, they made tho pace hot in the second half, but could not succeed in semiring a score. Robb, in. goal, effected some groat saves. Although bis flying shots appeared speculative he invariably brought them off. Martin played a. sterling game at right back, especially in the second spell. Jho half line went well together although Mander appeared to bo unable to keep his feet in tho first half, but in tho second spell he was sound. The forwards worked hard, and in addition to netting on two occasions, but under conditions which the referee considered prevented him from allowing the scores, scut in numerous shots that cleared the net top and sidesAt a dinner ;n tho evening, given to tho visitors, the president of the Canterbury Hockey Association handed the Shield to the Auckland skinner, Mr Sloman.