HOCKEY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 11, 9 September 1908, Page 11

HOCKEY.

Auckland Defeats Wellington. On Saturday Auckland were called upon to defend the supremacy of New Zealand hockey. The game was played in Victoria Park before probably the largest crowd that has ever gathered together in any part of the Dominion to witness a hockey mateh. It is estimated that between 5000 and 6000 spectators Were present. The following were the teams:— WELLINGTON. Goal: H. Saunders. Full-backs: T. Brewer (right) and C. Hickson. Halves: L. E. Christie (right), C. Campbell, and C. Exley. Forwards: H. E. Willis (right), L. Elliott, H. Thomas (bully), C. Dixon, and G. F. Smythe (captain). AUCKLAND. Goal: C. Howell. Full-backs: F. S. Shirriffs (right), H. B. Speight (left). Halves: J. 0. Badham (right), D. K. Porter (centre), V. C. Kavanagh (left). Forwards: H. O. Welham (right wing), R. W. Barry (inside right), F. R. Mason (centre), H. W. Mather (inner left), W. Brooke-Smith (left wing). THE FIRST SPELL. Auckland won the toss, and elected to defend the eastern goal. The visitors secured the ball from the bully, but Auckland were quick to obtain possession and attack, and a flue rush, headed by Barry, was nullified through too hard hitting. The visitors then took a turn in attacking, and a desperate onslaught in Auckland’s circle was wonderfully well cleared by Shirriffs. Duon spoiled Shirriffs* return, and after a good deal of give and take plqy, Welham succeeded in getting tho ball out on his own. Brewer, however, jumped in the nick of time, and prevented what seemed a cer-

tain goal, hitting out to half line. From a throw-in, Hickson cleared, hitting out in the visitors’ territory. Porter returned, and Mason made a fine run, hitting to Barry, whose shot went wide. Wellington's vanguard than retaliated strongly, but Speight intercepted a particularly strong rush and hit out to midfield. From that on Wellington repeatedly attacked the home citadel, but Shirriffs and Speight were equal to the Occasion, and some quick exchangee took place. From a scramble round the goal, a big hit by Barry took play to the Visitors’ territory, but Brewer relieved, and an exchange of big hitting followed. Smythe headed a strong Wellington attack, which was cleverly frustrated by the Auckland backs. The visitors indulged in some fine short passing and Invaded the home territory, but Mather, with some clever and tricky work, sent the ball to Auckland’s vanguard, who took the ball to the shooting zone, where a line shot by Mason was well stopped. The Southerners then made a deter-

mined attack, but Shirriffs and Badliam cleared in great style, taking play to the visitor*’ circle. Mather centred well, and Barry scored an easy goal. Auckland 1 Wellington 0 THE SECOND SPELL. The enthusiasm that marked the first ■pell continued into the second, each point of tlie play being followed with the keenest interest. Wellington were the aggressors from the bully, and a magnificent clearance by Speight was greeted with vociferous applause from the spectators. Mason, Brooke-Smith and Mather headed a very solid attack on the .visitors’ goal, but their efforts were nullified by Smythe's splendid play. The visitors retaliated hotly, but Speight rushed in at the crucial moment and saved what appeared Io be a certain goal, Ihitting out to half-way. From a throwin Welhani headed a fine rush, but the ball went over the line. From the railing bully, Auckland again invaded Wellington’s circle, but Saunders managed to save. Several good Auckland dashes followed, but Brewer and Hickson kept the home team at bay. From a big hit by Speight, Brooke Smith dashed into the circle, stopped neatly, but skied the ball over the net. A fine drive by Exley put Auckland on the defensive, but Speight relieved by hitting the length of the field. From the bully a fine passing rush by Wellington forwards, Smythe, Dickson and Thompson being prominent, the home defence was considerably taxed, but Kavanagh, with a fine hit, sent the ball out to Wellingon’s 25. From the Ithrow-in, Mason and ’ Mather carried play to the Wellington circle, but Barry's effort went wide. Willis made a fine inn, but there were too many backs in the way, and Welham started an Auckland onslaught, which was cleverly intercepted by Dixon. Mather saved a beautiful shot from going across the line, centring to Brooke-Smith, who ■cored a fine goal, .Auckland . 2 Wellington 0 Shortly afterwards Mather made a good effort but just missed. Smythe headed an invasion into Auckland’s circle, but Speight spoiled the attempt, and the Auckland forwards were away again. I'rom this on play was of a fast nnd exciting nature, and centred round the Wellington goal nearly the whole cf the time. Auckland looked like scoring on several occasions. The whistle blew without any further score, and the game ended up— Auckland 2 Wellington ' o Mr. W. 15. Robinson, of the Auckland Referees’ Association, ably controlled the game.

The Ladies’ Tournament.

Tn ladies’ hoekey. at Wellington, Canterbury (4) defeated Wellington A (0), ■Hawke’s Bay (5) defeated Wairarapa A |(0), Nelson (8) defeated Wairarapa B 1(0).

Wellington Beats Taranaki.

The Wellington representative hockey team, white on Its way to Auckland, met Taranaki on Thursday, the former team winning by one goal to nil. The ground was in perfect order, and the day gloriously flue. The game was most interesting and exciting at times, play travelling rapidly up and down the add. Wellington was more accurate In shooting, and several goals were saved by a narrow margin, otherwise the game was remarkably even. In the first spell both sides had bad luck, Thoninons goal for Taranaki being disallowed for off-tHdo play, and Wdits. of Weilington, drove over the top of the cage. In the second spell Sargent scored for Taranaki. but the referee gave no goal. With one minute to play Nixon shot right into Taranaki's goat, Wellington thus winning by one goal to nil.

Wanganui V. Horowhenna.

The Horowlienua representative hockey team was defeated by Wanganui at Cook s Gardens, Wanganui, on Thursday. Although the score, 8 goals to nil, was large, the gnma was not altogether onesided. The visitors attacked several times, but loot the ball when In the circle. The Wanganui forwards showed great duh and pace, and made the moat of their chances. Their half-line was weak, but Miller hi goal was *rilllant. The visitors' forwards lacked ■Omblnatlon. and bunched too much, thus ■polling one another'll chances. Smart fright back) played wsU. Mr Wakely wit • competent referee.