HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1486, 8 July 1912, Page 11

HOCKEY.

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES, TWO SURPRISES. Wellington . 2 Government Life 1 United , 4 College 2 Wesley 2 Metropolitan 1 The weather overhead was all tluit could have been desired on Saturday, but tlio recent rains had mad? tho grounds very heavy. The two surprises of the afternoon were tho victories of tho United and Wesley Clubs over tho Collego and Metropolitan teams respectively.

WELLINGTON-GOVERNMENT LIFE. ThD Wellington-Government Life match was played at Kai-ori Park on a greasy ground. It was expected that Wellington would easily defeat their opponents, but tins they did not do. Instead, they just managed to scrapo home. Government Life attacked from tho "bully," but Morrah on the left, and Schlaadt, on the right, drove them back repeatedly. Oaldicott did good work on two occasions, but hung on to the ball too long. Then Wellington attacked, and lieid made a good run, his centre, however; being intercepted. The piny was now very Tagged, combination being entirely absent. At length Mashet secured in Wellington's circle and registered their first goal. Tho Blueand Whites now bucked up, and it was not long before a goal came, Morpeth (erstwhile goalkeeper), getting tho bnM in the circle and equalised matters—halftime and tho scoro one all.

Wellington worked with zest on resumption of -play, but the forwards bungled the ball in the circle. Then Government Life took a hand, but tho wings did not centre smartly enough, and this gave Wellington time to collect their forces, which they did, and with good effect. Tho play now became scratchy, and Morpeth was ordered off tho field. Wellington now put P.WW into their play, and Reid scored shortly beforo time. Wellington thus won ! ,jr ,? 3°i l ! st 0 h llr ' C - H - Cockrell controlled the game.

UNITED-COLLEGE. Even United's most ardent supporters were surprised at tho result of the game. On .No. 1 ground, Day's Bay, on whicli tho niatcb. was played, tho going was very heavy Play was dull and uninteresting' right througn. I'rom tho start each side attacked in turn. United swept down the field but Gaze defended well, and then College, headed by tho Strnok Bros., rushed down tho field, but M'Eldownoy and Thompson saved their side. Perhaps it was thp heavy ground, and, what is moro prqbable, tho condition of tho playors was indifferent—at, .all; events,, tho play was dull; Eventually.the EeQ-and White forwards rushed the enemy, and faulty goal-keeping gave Boyd ,a goal. United I—o. The Greens now put some sting into their attack, and invaded the United circle. Dwycr kept them out with splendid saves. Then' Smith drove, and College scored, and the teams walked off at half-time with tho honours oven. On resuming, United were very lively. Their play went with dash and go, and they attacked to some purpose, for Collins sent in a warm shot which gave them tho lead. Then tho Collegians mustered their forces, and led by those hard workers, tho Strack Bros'., they fought valiantly, but could not get past Dwycr. Then Andrews increased tho United 6core to 3 goals, and Smythc inado it four with a tricky shot. Collego now rallied, and Griffiths sent in a shot, Time was soon called, United being victors by <t—2. Mr. M. Luckio was referee. WESLEY-METROPOLITAN.

On No. 3 ground Wesley effected a surpriso by defeating Metropolitan, by two goals to one. The ground was heavy and sticky, and, as in the other games, play was of an individual nature. Tho lied and Blacks first attacked, but Christie and Gapper saved their side- often. Then the Blues attacked, and Biroh made several fine dashes, but with tho exception of Keys, ho got very little support. Then Metropolitan took a hand, and Muldoon and Ingram worked hard, but no goal came'. The defence of both teams was good, but the attacks were not concerted, and so play became ragged. At length, from a scramble, Ingram shot for "Jlets.," but Birch soon equalised for tho Blues, by a good shot; and/at halftime the score was one all. / On rosumiug, play. became very oven. Wesley attacked in grim earnest, but'they found that Baker was a hard man to pass, and repeatedly lie drove them back. Then M'Gregor gave • his forwards the ball, but it was their day off, and they could not score when in tho circle Shortly before time Karl Shack shot a splendid goal, which put his side ahead, and they maintained their load till time! sounded. For the winners Birch, Strack, I and Gapper played well, whilst for tho "Mets., Cleave, Baker, and M'Gregor were well to tho fore, Mr. J. W. Gendall was refereo. .

JUNIOR GAMES. Karon easily defeated K.Y.M.I. (A) by 5 goals to nil. St. Augustine's defeated Metropolitan by 2 goals to one. ■Hurt Valley beat Wesley bv default. Wellington won from K.Y.M.I. (B) by default, THIRD GRADE. United and Wellington played a drawn gamo at Day's Bay, ono goal each. Gregg's (2 goals) drew with St. Mark's (2 goals). Victoria Collego wore beaten by KUbirnio Anglican by i goals to nil. LADIES' MATCHES. ' SYRENS ON THEIR METTLE. Rambler B sprang a surprise against Syrens on Saturday, showing great improvement, and tho champions had lo go hard all the time for victory. Perhaps it was the Syrens had an off-day. They woro iu tho circle pretty well all the second spell, but Miss M'Donnell and the othor shootists could not find the net. The result was I—o in favour of Syrens, and Miss U. Dement scored the lucky goal. The winners were one short. Herewhini almost scored their first victory this season, against Rata, but after a hard fight had to be content with a. draw—four all. Rata played three short and the others two short. Misses Laing, Nolan, and Wright scored on' the one side, and .Misses Barnard (2) and Oheyjie (2i on the other. Old Girls beat the present College Girls by 4 goals to 2. Misses Edna Burr (3) and A. Evans scored for the winners, and Miss Cunningham for tho losers. At Pctono St. Augustine's' had an easy victory over Collego Old Girls 11, winning by 5 goals to nil. Ramblers A won by default from the I'elonc District High School.