ON THE HOCKEY FIELD.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1813, 28 July 1913, Page 3

ON THE HOCKEY FIEL D.

SHIELD ENCOUNTER. THE LOCALS BEAT HAWKE'S BAY. Something like 1500 people journeyed to Karori on Saturday to witness the battle for tho challengo shield between Wellington and Hawke's Bay. What with the reputation of the visitors and the soundness of the home men, many anticipated brilliant hockey. They wcro woefully disenchanted. The standard of play was .considerably below that set in representative matches heretofore. Tho Hawko'a Bay forwards failed to uphold (their reputation, but their combination was at least far better than that; of their opponents. Tho most prominent players in tho challenger's pack—as far as "prominence" could bo said to go—were Yates, Maddison, Bullick, and Fair. On the Wellington side M'Eldowney (leftfull) justified his inclusion. Ho proved a "live wire" whenever the ball found its way to him, or near him, and was not sloit to set it "going."

First Spoil—Flat, Hawke's Bay won the toss, and straightway made the mistake of electing to face tho sun. They took up tho attack immediately, and for a whilo made matters lively. M'Eldowney here showed what ho was capable of and, for the first few minutes, lie found armfuls of work. He and Campbell, howevor, proved solid shimbling blocks to tho hot attacks of tha Bay forwards. One of these, led by Blundell, looked as though it would materialise, but tho combined defence of Pullyn, Campbell, and C. Strack told on their opponents. After tho game had been in progress some seven minutes. Con. Strack transferred operations upfield, and, a' little later, from a pass from G. Strack, Boyd found the net. The ensuing "bully" favoured Hawke's Bay, and Atkinson managed to get the ball out to Land, who in turn transferr/d to Carbon, play being carried downfielu. Here Pullyn intervened, and the forwards took advantage of the lead given them, Con. Strack lodging the second goal—a beauty. For some little time after Hawke's Bay held an advantage, and struggled to even matters, being assistedl by a free hit. From this a scramble took nlace and Boyd secured and shot at goal, but his effort flew wide. From tho ensuing "twenty-five," Pullyn bungled, and again the Hawke's Bay men looked like "doing things." but Burbidge camo to light, and cased the push on the Wellington defence. But still the "Bay" forwards looked like business, and their first goal seemed imminent until Blundell (who was mainly responsible for the attack) was outplayed by Dwyer. Tlie challengers, however, came on again, but after a spell of attacking their opponents secured possession, Robbie centring to Griffiths, who scored. The spell ended:— Wellington, 3; Hawke's Bay, 0.

Second Spell—Flatter. Middling ns the play had been in the first half, the second spell was even poorer. It was, in fact, very flat. The Wellington men, however, were mainly on the attiack. After some play of an inferior order, Boyd obstructed, and a penalty-corner resulted, but the Wellington forwards were not clever enough or energetic enough to get the little globe "through." Wellington again worked play inside the circle, where Con. Strack succeeded in sending in a hot one, only to be prettily stopped by Howell (in goal). The Napierites now attacked vigorously. After several futile attempts they managed to manoeuvre the ball to the circle, where a general heap of nothing ensued. The finish was that Blunck'll missed ifi.ro with the shot at goal. A second attack, which was followed, was stemmed by Dwyer. About ten minutes before the whistle went, Atkinson put in a meritorious 'run, and made for the net Once again, however, Dwyer made his presence felt, giving a fine exhibition of goal-keeping. Play now became dull, but eventually Land broko the monotony, and, after a splendid effort, scored the first goal for his side. The game ended:— Wellington, I; Hawke's Bay, 1. Messrs. Cusack (Wellington) and Walton (H&wke'-s Bay) were the referees.

Ladies' Trial Match. As a curtain-raiser to the big match, the ladies played an A and B trial ■match. The game was not very interesting, both teams having a fair share of attack and defence, the A's winning by 3 goals to 2.