HOCKEY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 12, 16 September 1908, Page 13

HOCKEY.

Tanmarnnni v. Auckland. Prior to the Wanganui-Auckland match, the Taumarunul junior reps, met and suffered defeat at the hands of the Auckland juniors, by one goal to nil, after a hard and fast game, which was full of incident, and nt times highly exciting, Although the homo team won, tlie visitors gave rather a better exposition of hockey, tho combined work of their forwards being superb.

Auckland Retains the Shield

Perfect weather prevailed on SatSrday for the seventh and last ockey match for the much-chal-lenged New Zealand championship hockey shield. The ground was iu first-class condition, and more Ideal conditions for a Struggle for supremacy could scarcely he Imagined. Old Father Time seemed to have enlarged the sand aperture, and instead of being an afternoon at the end ef winter. It was more like a midsummer day. A gentle south-easterly zephyr lent a delightful Coach ef exhilaration to what would other-

wise have been a sultry afternoon. Evil omens betel the visitors, their journey out from town being guy thing but auspicious. Tho Taumarunul junior reps., on their journey out, met with a mishap, the axle of the wagonette breaking, whilst the brako carrying the Wanganui reps, lost a wheel. Consequently both games started later than they should have done. There was au attendance of about 1560. Mr B. Madden controlled the game. The following are the teams: — Wanganui Team (colours: red and black). —Goal, J. W. Miller; full backs, H. Hardwlcke, A. O. Cavo (captain); halt backs, B. Bassett, D. Miller, H. Gurr; forwards, W. Thomson, H. G. Brodie, J. Soler, A. Coe, B. J. Williams. Auckland Team (colours: blue and white). —Goal, C. 11. Howell; full backs, F. S, Shlrrlffs (captain), H. D. Speight; half backs, J. R. C. Badham, D. K. Porter, V. C. Kavanagh; forwards, H. O. Welham, R. W. Barry, F. R. Mason, H. Mather, W. BrookeSmllh. Auckland had no difficulty in disposing of their opponents, the Anal scores being Auckland I), Wanganui 1. The scorers for Auckland were Mason (3), Barry (2), BrookeSmith (A), Mather, Welham. Coe scored Wanganui’s try. The Auckland team showed their true form on Saturday for the first time this season, and their brilliant win was a fitting finale to a singularly successful hockey season. Mason, as In all previous matches, proved the toughest proposition for tho visitors to tackle, and he was admirably supported by Mather and Badham. Speight and Shirriffs each did excellent work, and Kavanagh repeatedly showed brilliant strategy. Porter has consistently played good hockey throughout the season, but In this match, he surpassed himself, Ono had but to locate the ball to find out where Porter was. A word of praise Is due to the visiting forwards and their goalkeeper. Coe was undoubtedly the "Mason” of the team, and gave a really clever exposition of the game. Their goalkeeper was the hardest worked man on the ground, and but for hla fine defence, the score would undoubtedly have reached double figures. The forward line generally are the fastest set that Auckland, so far, has had to contend against. In the evening the Wanganui, Taumaranul and Auckland teams were entertained to a banquet at the Savoy Cafe, and a very merry evening was spent. A capital musical programme was provided, and the usual toast list was gone through. The visitors expressed themselves delighted with the welcome they had received to the Queen City and the treatment meted to them whilst here.

Waikato Matches

The hockey match, Hamilton v. St. George's, was a good even game, and resulted in a draw—four all. Hamilton ladles defeated Te Awamutu at Te Awamutu. by 4 to 3.

Taurauga v Walhi

A representative hockey match was played on Saturday between Taurauga and Waihl Clubs, the former proving victorious by seven goals to six, one of the latter being accidentally made by a Taurangn player. The local team were very raw, and showed want of combination, owing to the fact that this was their first game of the season. Mr. W. Gibson gave every satisfaction as referee. In the evening the visitors were the guests of the local club at an impromptu social and dance at tho Miners’ Union Hall.