HOCKEY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1260, 11 June 1914, Page 24

HOCKEY.

(By

“RIGHT WING.”)

The premiership matches last Saturday contributed an excellent page in the book of the history of the game that grows, and the result of the games looks exceedingly like the opening of a new era. It is sometime since the competition games have furnished such good expositions of hockey. Certainly games have been more sensational than the match between Areta and Auckland, but on the other hand the contest at Victoria Park between defence and education was exciting enough, notwithstanding that they lacked the recklessness and abandon of the fight between Areta and University a fortn'ght ago. In most games of late much reliance has been entrusted to pace, dash and hard hitting, more than science, but it can safely be stated that skill was an important factor in last Saturday’s games. The unexpected downfall of University by College Rifles, and the defeat of Auckland by Areta brines the younger clubs into more prominence, and if they can only maintain their position will create a big change in local hockey. The happy state of affairs is no doubt due to a change in the conditions prevailing since the competition opened, the ground was firmer and the ball seemed to run more smoothly, although much remains to be done. One blot on the page was the work in front of goal, and to maintain the improvement so noticeable in the field play the shooting department all round needs attention. The scor'ng was low during the afternoon, the goal crop only reaching a total of six. Areta beat Auckland by two goals, College Rifles registered two, to which Universitv replied with one and Ponsonby managed one which was sufficient to beat Mt. Eden. Areta tackled Auckland at Remuera, and th» play, on the whole, left little difference between the two teams, yet the younger eleven deserved their success. Areta on the po : nt of scoring were extremely lucky. The first goal was palpably kicked into the net, while Whittaker’s shot, which was a beautiful stroke, would have just evaded the net had not Sparkes, in attempting to stop, changed the direction and the sphere travelled between the uprights. The game was marked by much combined on both sides, despite the nature of the ground, and the back plav was also good. Both sides lost onnortunities in the shooting zone, but the losers suffered most. It cannot altogether be called unfortunate, as some of the chances were exceedingly easy, and should have borne fruit. The Areta backs were m^ r e dashing than those of Auckland, in particular doing snlendid work. His hitting was brilliant, but he lacks the finessing of backs like Speight and Baker. Sparrow in goal rendered good service and saved brilliantly. Whittaker was the best of the halves before the interval, stopning in good style and feeding his forwards judiciously. I noticed the referee caught him occasionally for turning on the bail. In the second snell Richards was the most noticeable, speculating with considerable accuracy and frequently checkmating the manv advances of the red and blacks’ left van. Moginie shone out amongst the forwards, breaking away frequently without p.nv support. His good work was marred bv blunders in the circle, but then he had to contend with Baker. Thomas showed much nippiness, but seemed to hesitate at times. However. he played well from start to finish. Preston made good runs along the line, and sent in some hot stuff to be dealt with bv the Auckland rear division. Whittaker demon- . strated his usefulness by looking after the remainder of the line in a manner ,which made many openings. His goal was a fine shot. " For their loss Auckland have mostly their shooting powers to blame. Like Areta, their hockey was really good, and quite different to their display of the previous week. Baker, who is recovering from influenza, dis-

played some of his usual form. He proved a tower of strength to his side with his clever stick play. The Auckland half-line underwent a change for the better, Swan taking the centre and Parker the wing, while Roberts remained in his old position. Another alteration is contemplated next week, Sparkes exchanging places with Roberts. Welham accomplished some of his dashing runs, and proved a tough proposition for Stainton. Murray, beyond a tendency to off-side early in the game, was tip-top, and his pace proved too much for England when conditions were equal. Ingham played well, but he robbed Welham of a grand opportunity of scoring. Mt. Eden have experienced many slings and arrows of misfortune since the season started, and now they are at the bottom of the list, their only compensation being two points below last year’s champions. The match with Ponsonby contained some admirable work —one piece in particular, which consisted of aerial passing right along the forward line. Snedden and Murray, by a combined work, threaded their way clean through Mt. Eden’s defence, but Snedden failed to finish. A lone-handed run by Alexander was very fine, and the strenuous working Mt. Eden forward had bad luck in not attaining a satisfactory result. There was little to choose between the two teams, both doing their share of attacking, but Ponsonby displayed more combination and made a better approach towards the shooting zone. Mt. Eden were inclined to dally when near the circle, which caused bunching, and then a general scrummage ensued instead of a clean shot at the net. Mackie, in-goal for the winners, played in his customary manner. Both full-backs did all that was required of them. Yates is showing better form now, and will strengthen Ponsonby’s defence. Alison was the strong link in the back' division. He followed the ball with a watchful eye and time and again frustrated the best of the Eden forwards’ movements. Collins displayed more accuracy in hitting, and his defence was good. In the forward line Caitcheon and Smith were not altogether impressive. Osborne played well enough at centre forward, but requires a few visits to the rifle range. Snedden did good work, and is a good link in combination. Murray, on the left wing, did well without being brilliant. For Mt. Eden, Land, in goal, was kept busier than his vis-a vis, and he had little chance of saving the goal. King and Cole have both been seen to better advantage. Johns in the half line, was very clever and rendered good service. Garrett showed good form at times, but, on the other hand, was mediocre. The Mt. Eden forwards were an even lot. McLeod had bad luck in missing some opportunities. Alexander was not so prominent as usual. Malcolm held on too long before sending the ball in. The defeat of two goals to one by College Rifles over University was just about an appropriate result. It represented the play seen in the first spell, although at half-time the scores were even. After changing over the Rifles again broke through the students’ defence. Thereafter University made desperate efforts to score, but without avail. College Rifles strengthened their defence, and besides keeping University out the forwards had their turn at goal hunting. It was a good, bright, open game, and there were flashes of real cleverness at times; at other periods some of the players gave the impression that they were feeling the effects of the strenuous game on the smooth ground. The changing of Barry to inner right and McDonald to centre forward made a wonderful difference in the vanguard of College Rifles. Barry played a great game in the new position, or, rather, in a position which he had not filled for some considerable time, blending much better with the rest of the line than at centre, where his roaming upset things....JJis stick work and tackling were both "deadly. McDonald must be commended "on. his game at centre forward, doing exceedingly well, although a trifle awk\ ward at times. The rest of the line ' also rose to the. occasion, and their dashing play caused some confusion in the students’ half line. Von Sturmer, at centre half, trapped the ball in good style, employing his long legs effectively. One would have thought that he would be too slow on the fast ground, but he was nearly always handy when wanted. White and Graham also lent worthy support, but were outshone by the centre. Slowman was rather subdued in the first spell, but in the second half, when

the pressure was at its height, played splendidly. Cotton’s position in goal was no sinecure, and he came through the ordeal with flying colours.

There was no better back on the ground than the ’Varsity captain, and had it not been for Speight an increase in the goal crop was certain. Jones, though inferior to Speight, performed well. The half backs were not impressive, playing indifferently. Forward, Mahoney was again the shining light of the division, and had ill-luck in getting a finger rather badly torn. Jacobsen requires a little more repose; however, there is always an element of science with his dashing runs. King had to look for work, and this seemed to draw him toward the centre. The match between the North and South Island representative elevens is fixed to take place about the middle of September. The Wellington Hockey Association are quite willing to manage the match provided that they are not asked to bear any loss that might result. Air. Bernecker, who provided a cup for competition in junior ladies’ hockey, has now generously donated a similar trophy to the seniors. Metropolitan, the team that Baker, the well-known Auckland full-back, played for in Wellington last year, is now leading for the championship of the windy city. TUG-OF-WAR CHAMPIONSH P. FINAL CONTESTS. (By Telegraph—Dunedin Correspondent) The final contests in the all-comers tug-of-war championship, held on Saturday night, in addition to creating tremendous excitement and interest, aroused a considerable amount of feeling, and the proceedings were marked by some unfortunate incidents. On several occasions feeling ran so high that the police had to intervene, and a number of persons were ejected. A disturbance, which at one stage assumed alarming proportions, arose through a protest by the Enfield team, who alleged that in their contest with Waterside Workers No. 2, the pistol went four seconds after time, and that at the moment time was up the team had a slight advantage. The officials and judges met, and after much heated discussion it was decided to uphold the appeal. The two teams were then requested to again try conclusions, but the Watersiders refused to do so, ma'ntaining that they had fairly won the contest. In order to enable proceedings to continue, the officials again met, and this time they reversed their previous decision and dismissed the protest. The audience and some of the competitors had in the meantime got completely out of hand. Members of the two teams concerned harangued the audience, turn about expounding their views on the matter, but owing to the uproar the remarks were more or less inaudible. Some of the other competitors also took a hand in the dispute, and at one time a free fight did not seem by any means a remote possbility. The bout which decided the championship took place amid a scene of tremendous excitement. At the start ■Hornibrook’s Physical Culture team got the advantage, which was increased to three inches, and when four minutes had gone the Christchurch men had fully four inches to their credit. Hoffman Bros, then exerted themselves, and reduced the margin to two inches. With only a-quarter of a minute to go the margin had been decreased to one inch. This was the limit. However, try as they might Hoffman Bros, could not effect a further reduct'on, and Hornibrooks’ Physical Culture thus became winners cf the championship, with Hoffman Bros, runners-up. The prize money presented to the captains of the winning teams was as follows: —Hornibrook’s Physical Culture (first), £225; Hoffman Bros, (second), £54; West Coast (third), £27; Waterside Workers No. 2 (fourth), £9. CROSS-COUNTRY RACE AT DUNEDIN. (By Telegraph—Dunedin Correspondent) The first big cross-country race of the season took place over the three mile steeplechase course at Wingatui on Saturday. All the Harrier Clubs were represented, and a field of 53 runners faced the starter. It was a fine spectacle race, in which the leaders showed good form in the heavy going. Thd\ winning team was the Dunedin Harriers, for whom Nickelson was tlib 'first man home in

17min. ssec. J. Beatson, the New Zealand cross-country champion, who won this event in 1909 and 1912, did not compete, and his loss together with that of Jack, winner in 1913, was severely felt by the Caversham Harriers, who furnished the individual champion in the five previous contests. GUN CLUB NOTES. AUCKLAND GUN CLUB. The Auckland Gun Club held three sweepstakes at their shoot on Thursday, June 4. The Sweepstakes (10 live birds) was won by Mr. Remington, who secured the posible, while Mr. A. J. McFlynn, with 9 birds, was second. The Ist Sweepstake (sparrows, 6 birds) was won by Mr. F. Seccombe with the possible. The 2nd Sweepstakes (sparrows, 6 birds) resulted in Messrs. J. Williamson, L. P. Hughes and J. Mains securing the possible, and the shoot-off was won by Mr. L. P. Hughes. The scores in the three sweepstakes were as follows:1— Sweepstakes (10 live birds). —Remington 10, A. J. McFlynn 9, F. Seccombe 8, L. P. Hughes 8, M. Wilson 8, J. Wright 8, G. Peach 8, J. Williamson 7, S. Fitness 7, G. Currie 7, A. Martin 7, J. Mains 6, J. O’Dowd 6, B. Greyson 6, A. P. Daysh 6, H. Gray 4, J. Reynolds 3, J. Blake 2. First Sweepstakes (sparrows, 6 birds). —F. Seccombe 6, M. Wilson 5, L. P. Hughes 5, A. P. Daysh 3, S. Fitness 3, Hector Gray 3, Remington 3, J. Blake - 2, J. Wright 1, J. Mains 1. Second Sweepstakes (sparrows, 6 birds). —L. P. Hughes 7, J. Williamson 6, J. Mains 6, F. Seccombe 5, B. Greyson 5, Remington 5, M. Wilson 3.

BILLIARDS.

The Gray-Newman match in the last stages proved as exciting and close as the most ardent enthusiast could wish. After being over 3000 behind KGray gave Newman 2000 start in the 18,000 up), the Australian overtook his man, and at latest the scores stood: Gray, 17,664; Newman, 17,503. A decent break at this stage would ensure victory, and probably Gray will in this match prove the winner. The tournament for owners of combination and undersize tables projected by Messrs. Alcock and Co., Ltd., is assuming definite shape. This week a meeting of those interested will be held in the show rooms of the firm, Strand Arcade, to discuss all preliminary matters. Tournaments on similar lines held in the other centres under the auspices of Messrs. Alcock and Co., Ltd., have proved most successful, the games causing much interest in family circles. A feature of the tourney is the fact that tables of any make are eligible, and as the number of tables of different makers in Auckland and suburbs is legion a big entry should be assured. At the Working Men’s Club tournaments are in full swing, the games attracting very large audiences. The Club billiard room is spacious, well ventilated and lighted, and recently a new Alcock table has been installed, so that members have now three tables on which to display their skill. The committee and secretary have done splendid work in connection with the complete arrangements of the new building, and certainly the members of the Coburg Street establishment are to be congratulated on their splendid and comfortable quarters. Business in the various city saloons, though not quite so good as in former winter seasons, is very fair. At the Civic, National, Central, Queen’s, Waitemata, Kinsey’s, Leherty,s, and Star rooms large numbers of players enjoy the game under best conditions. Mr. W. E. Hackett is showing good form this season. In a game at the Amateur Sports Club, on the Alcock standard match pocket table, W-E.H. hit up a beautifully compiled run of 85. The Eyre Cup (billiard and snooker tournaments) at the Amateur Sports Club is causing much interest now that the contest is in the final stages. Vern Peace, the popular secretary, won his heats in both branches of the tourney, and with a little luck may win either the billiard or snooker tournament, and perhaps both. The Masonic Club are now installed in their new rooms, His Majesty’s Arcade. The billiard room is well equipped with two tables, which have been renovated by Messrs. Alcock and Co., Ltd., and members and their friends can enjoy their games under the most perfect conditions.