HOCKEY

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1262, 25 June 1914, Page 24

HOCKEY

(By

“RIGHT WING.”)

The first series of matches in connection with the 'final round of the premiership eventuated last Saturday afternoon under conditions fai from perfect. The weather was showery and the ground very greasy, yet that keen sou’-westerly blast was not so bad as on the previous Saturday. With the grounds in a treachous condition, good hockey was hardly expected, nevertheless there were some bright patches during the afternoon, and not the least interesting was the accomplishment of some good shooting. Areta added another victory to their unbeaten record, defeating Ponsonby by four goals to one. Auckland scored a win over College Rifles with a three to one margin. University had some difficulty with Mt. Eden, but came out victorious by three goals.

Auckland’s luck came back to them on Saturday in the return game with College Rifles, whom they defeated in a well-fought contest. Both teams having a victory to their credit, lined up with a determination to win.. The sensational play of College Rifles in the last two games has brought them into prominence, while Auckland have made little headway so far this season, therefore College Rifles had many supporters who were quite sanguine of victory. It came rather as a surprise to them to see their idols go under. College Rifles never played up to the form shown, in the two previous matches. The forward line did not show so much dash, in fact they did not get the opportunities to display their abilities, owing to the injudicious hitting of the backs and the alertness of the opposing trio. It was no uncommon sight to witness the forwards inactive, waiting for the ball to come in their direction. Had the backs opened up the game by feeding the wings, probably the vanguard would have rendered a better account of themselves. The Auckland team, on the other hand, performed much better than in previous matches, and took advantage of the opposition’s .mistakes. Baker (full-back) could hardly go wrong. His anticipation was good, in fact, in all departments he was Al. Sparkes did well without having the finish of Baker. He is the best tackler on the Auckland side. Swann, at centre-half, was good, and Kavanagh showed cleverness. Steele, a promoted junior, played like a veteran, his back strokes being very effective. Murray was in excellent form on the wing, and his goal was a beauty. Welham is rapidly getting into form, and gave the College backs a lot of trouble. Roberts missed a couple of golden opportunities, but redeemed himself by scoring a clinking goal after a brilliant run. Smythe, the minute he starts fiddling with .the ball, is a nuisance to himself and no use to his side. Those minutes were scarce, and he kept moving, and also the leather too. Cotton “held up” a couple of good shots, but had no earthly chance of stopping the others. Sloman was hardly so successful as usual, a miss or two proving expensive. However, all round it was a good performance. O’Loughlin did some hard hitting, but stih a little more judgment would have been beneficial. Von Sturmer did not seen active enough on the heavy ground. His stopping was safe enough, but he frequently failed to get the ball away. Graham accomplished some good work in the first spell. In the second spell the mud hampered him. Barry was well marked, and opportunities did not reach him often enough. McDonald’s game could not be compared with his effort of the previous week. Mark was not overburdened with work. He had the honour of notching the only goal. The game between Areta and Ponsonby was highly exhilarating in the first spell. There were good movements on both sides, much better than witnessed here so far this season. - There were periods when the Ponsonby forwards were swarming

down on the opposing goal and, similarly, times when the Areta forwards came like an avalanche. It was pretty evenly balanced in that respect. To the observant there was, however, a distinguishing feature. The Areta method had more steadiness and plan about it. In the circle the Ponsonby forwards rarely did much earnest shooting. Areta, though no less anxious to score, had the self-restraint that was necessary to secure direct aim towards a definite target. The goals scored represent and are illustrative of this difference, and also of the falling away of Ponsonby towards the end of the 'first spell. The second half did not provide such a good exhibition; players were constantly slipping and the game became indifferent, Areta dominating the position. England was the best of the Areta backs, making good strokes, but was inclined to dally too long. Ellison seemed rather lackadaisical, and requires to put a little more life into his play. Whittaker, at centre-half, used his position to advantage, checking and initiating in good style. Richards showed good form, placing and hitting with judgment, little recklessness being apparent in his play.

E. Whittaker, at centre forward, was the brains of the line;, and it was owing to his forethought and unselfishness that his side did so well. He scored a nice goal with a reverse stroke. Moginie is, perhaps, the most use-

ful of the black vanguard in field work. In the circle he is not a champion.

Ponsonby were unfortunate in having to play short-handed. At the commencement, it looked as if two vacancies would occur. However, Mincher (club captain) was on hand, and he was induced to turn out. As a left winger he did some good centring. Sfiedden is a promising forward, and combination is one of his promises. Smith, right wing, was good in close play. Notwithstanding that the greater portion of his work was onehanded, he frequently came out of the ruck triumphant. Alison (half) and Yates (full-back) can be singled out. as being similarly conspicuous in their respective positions. The tackling and placing of Alison was really excellent, and if Yates was not so good he was only a degree inferior. Mackie did not come out of his shell as expected, being rather uncertain in clearing.. There is a little bit of ancient history in connection with the match between University and Mt. Eden, for it was just a game in which the same thing could easily have happened, as was the case two years ago. Mt. Eden caused some sensation by defeating the victorious students’ eleven by the narrowest of margins, and had they been able to accept the opportunities offered there was just

a possible chance of doing the trick again. However, it was the students that slipped in with the goals, and long before operations ceased the game was beyond doubt. Nevertheless, the contest did not send the students’ supporters home satisfied concerning the attack. The necessary changes in the vanguard caused by the absence of Mahony, and a search for a centre forward, no doubt was somewhat responsible for the outcome. A couple of incidents occurred during the match, but they in no way affected the result, as matters were evenly balanced. Mt. Eden have only themselves to thank for the absence of goals, as no better chances could have occurred to bring about a goal. It was their bunching tactics that were really responsible, as too many players were after the sphere in the anxiety to get the desired result.

The Collegian goalkeeper, who was not overworked in the first spell, came in for a little in the second, and mainly with the. stick got his side out of awkward situations. Both Speight and Jones made more mistakes than usual. The Rhodes scholar made some splendid recoveries.

The half-line was not very impressive on the attack, but on the defence both Rennie and Robinson were sounder.

Among the forwards, Mahony was the pick, but not up to his usual form. King played a serviceable game, trapping the ball on the line at top speed in a clever manner. Jacobsen

was not allowed so much latitude, being closely guarded by the opposing half. Potter’s work in the circle is usually brief and final, but he failed to score. He received an injury, which somewhat hampered his movements. Laird, in goal for Mt. Eden, was not a qualified success, one effort being particularly feeble. King played excellently at fullback, hitting and stopping in a businesslike way, while his little “speculator” was also in evidence. Cole, though not so safe as King, rendered good service, hitting being his strongest point. Garrett worked like a Trojan, and put the wood in freely. Johns got through his work cleverly, and held the opposing wing like a tradesman. The forwards do not come in for so much admiration, on account of their bunching and indifferent work in the circle. Durham hung on to the ball far too long after carrying it to the goalline before attempting to send it in. McLeod was too eager, and in his anxiety to score came to grief. Malcolm did some good work on the wing, but had great difficulty in maintaining the perpendicular. The question of grading the referees will claim the attention of the New Zealnd body, and I think it is a step in the right direction. The Ladies’ Association will require to push forward arrangements in connection with the visit of the English

Women’s Association. Down South active preparations are in progress, and the leading citizens are being approached concerning the billeting of the ladies comprising the team, and they fully recognise the position of the Hockey Associations in their centres and intend doing what is in their power to contribute to the welfare of the tourists.

The next Norden Cup match takes place at Hamilton, where Taranaki will make an effort to secure the trophy. The holders of the Norden Cup will endeavour to secure further honours on July 4th, when Waikato will call upon Auckland to defend their title as the champion team of New Zealand.

In view of the foregoing contest all senior Cup fixtures will be postponed next week to enable a trial match to be played.

In one of the matches last week a couple of incidents occurred which demonstrate how closely a referee requires to follow the game. A goal was awarded owing to the referee considering that it had crossed the goal-line, but it only rested on the line. A little later the ball did actually go across, but the goalkeeper cleared immediately and nothing resulted. Another decision in one of the senior matches caused some comment. A team put the ball fairly into the net, and the whistle sounded, not for a goal but to give the attacking side a penalty corner, owing to an infringement by one of the defenders.

Surely this is really penalising the innocent.

While commenting upon the above errors it is only fair to state that quite a number of very clever decisions were given by referees, which demonstrates how keen the whistlers are upon the game.

Two teams have been selected to practice for the prospective Shield matches, and some of the names are by no means household words in connection with hockey. However, the selector has a right to experiment, and as no one envies him his task further developments will be awaited with interest.