HOCKEY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 906, 18 July 1907, Page 10

HOCKEY.

VISIT OF OTAGO REPS.

The Otago rep. team arrived from South on Friday, July 12, and were met at Onehunga by members of the Management Committee of the Auckland Hockey Association. The visitors came in by train to Auckland, where a large number of hockey players accorded them a warm welcome, Mr. H. Rees George receiving the visitors. In the evening the team were the guests of the Auckland Association at their annual ball, and were welcomed by the Mayor (Mr. A. M. Myers), patron of the association. The Mayor expressed great pleasure at the visit of the Otago team, and said such visits raised the standard of play and made the game of hockey more popular, as was evidenced by the result of the Auckland team’s Southern tour, and the members of the clubs affiliated to the association had doubled this year, now numbering 150 ladies and 250 gentlemen. The visit of amateurs from one province to another, who played the game for its own sake, helped to foster a national spirit. He heartily welcomed the visiting team. Besides the patron of the club there were also present Mr. Wm. Coleman (president) and Messrs. H. Rees George and Eliot Davis (vice-presidents). The hall presented a very gay appearance, the decorations being successfully carried out in festoons of lycopodium and clusters of greenery, alternating with crossed hockey sticks tied in the colours of the various Auckland clubs. The whole arrangements were very successfully carried out by the committee, and a most enjoyable function eventuated.

THE MATCH

AUCKLAND 4, OTAGO 1. Despite the inclement state of the weather quite a large gathering (about 1000) assembled at the Domain to witness the match, the afternoon being made more enjoyable by the presence of the Bavarian Band and the dispensing of afternoon tea by the Ladies’ Committee. The visitors and home team received quite an ovation as they left the pavilion for the field. Otago won the toss and elected to defend the East goal. From the bully off Rands got away with the ball, hitting out to Otago’s 25, Ryburn stopping an Auckland forward rush. Auckland again followed up with some good passing by Mather, Barry and Mason, but Otago defended well. Otago showed fine combination, and some good passes in which Thomson, Moore, Calder and Rutherford took part, nearly resulted in a score. At this juncture the play became very fast. Barry and Doyle broke away right into Otago’s circle, where Mason shot, but missed. The home team were again on the attack, and Barry (who, unfortunately, has a habit of using only one hand) almost scored. Otago then rallied and made a very strong effort to score, and the Auckland backs were kept very busy in defending. The first spell ended with no score. On resuming play Auckland assumed the agressive, and a few minutes after the bully off a forward rush by Auckland resulted in Mather shooting a fine goal. Auckland 1, Otago 0. A good deal of open play followed, and after several rushes Mason notched Auckland’s second goal. Auckland 2, Otago 0. The visitors then took the ball into Auckland’s 25, and Goodman, Moore and Gower were responsible for some fine work, but Tinsley prevented a goal. Otago kept the ball well in Auckland’s territory, and the backs were hotly pressed, but Tinsley (in goal) was equal to the occasion, warding off several hot shots. Auckland then took the ball into Otago’s territory and pressed

hard, but Rutherford, hitting well down the field relieved the position for Otago. Doyle then centered, and Barry, coming up at a great pace, with a magnificent shot, secured another goal. Auckland 3, Otago 0. The visitors then rallied, and Cuttie secured Otago’s first goal. Auckland 3, Otago 1. The play became very fast, and some splendid play was witnessed at centre; then Auckland again secured the ball and their fourth goal was registered by Mason. The game ending—Auckland 4, Otago 1. Mr. E. E. Madden controlled the match in a very creditable manner. The play was of a very high standard, and probably the best display of hockey seen in Auckland. On the day the Aucklanders were the better team, the visitors freely acknowledging it. For Otago, White, in goal, gave one of the best exhibitions of goal-keeping seen in Auckland, and fully justified the high opinion held of him as one of the best guardians of the net in the colony. The fullbacks, Johnson and Ryburn, were a safe pair, and the former was the best. Thompson, Goodman and Moore, as halves, were always in position, paying great attention to the opposing forwards and finding their own front line with judgment, and in this respect Moore, in centre, shone. Cuttie, as centre forward, is another player whose reputation was fully maintained. Madill, as outside, is a very speedy player, and uses his stick well, and was well supported by Calder. Rutherford, as right wing, was the best of the forward line, is very fast, and centres with judgment; and Gower, on the inside, is a good stick worker.

For Auckland, Tinsley, in goal, performed creditably. Shirriffe was the best of the fullbacks, his long hitting being a feature of the match. Speight performed well, but should pay more attention to “sticks.” Porter, as centre-half, did an immense amount of stopping. Brown and Kavanagh were not at their best, the latter showing a great inclination to hang to the ball. Barry, centre forward,, should use both hands; he lost many opportunities through one-handed play. Mather played a splendid game, but is inclined to become over-excit-ed. Mason was always on the right spot at the right time, and played a brilliant game. Rands and Doyle were in great form, their attacking being all that could be desired.

THE VISITORS ENTERTAINED. In the evening the visitors were entertained by the local association at a dinner in the Strand Cafe. Mr. Wm. Coleman, president of the Auckland Hockey Association, presided over a large gathering of players and supporters. The evening was spent in speeches and songs, and various toasts were honoured. Mention was made of the great strides which hockey has been taking in New Zealand during the last few years, and the opinion was expressed by several speakers that a great deal of success was owing to the assistance lent by the various ladies’ associations.