HOCKEY

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2260, 21 September 1914, Page 9

HOCKEY

WELLINGTON 3, AUCKLAND 2 N.Z. CHALLENGE SHIELD (By TeleeraDb.—Press Association.} Auckland, September 20. A hockey match for the New Zealand Challenge Shield was played here yesterday hetween Wellington and Auckland. The match was won by Wellington by 3 goals to 2. It was witnessed by about 700 spectators, but it was not altogether a good exhibition of hockey. - Wellington deserved to win the Shield" on the day's game, for. the members- of - the team not only showed bettor mi-, derstanding of each other's play, but they also made the most of their opportunities in the circle. The forwards were always dangerous.when in a scoring position. On the other hand, the Auckland forward and half-back lines were disorganised, and there was always much hesitancy when in the circle. To these features and also the failure of Auckland forwards to keep their position at critical periods must be attributed their defeat. Auckland's full-backs, Speight and Baker, were severely tested, but rose to the occasion in great style, while Hallam, in goal, brought off many clever saves. M'Eldowney, at full-back, and M'Gregor., at half-back,' played clever games for Wellington. About halfway through the first spell, when Auckland was pressing hard, G. Strack got possession of the ball, and, running the full length of the field, gave a pass in Auckland's circle to C. Strack, who opened Wellington's scoring account with a clinking shot. Not long afterwards Boyd scored Wellington's second goal with a hot angle shot. There was no further score in the first half. ( After the spell, Auckland, playing determinedly, kept the ball in Wellington territory for fully twenty minutes, and during that time lost many opportunities to score. Jacobsen was working the left wing well, and from a high centre by him, Whittaker opened Auckland's score. Mahoney put in a shot which equalised the scores. Wellington had the best of-the closing stages of the game, and following good work by Sheeran on the right wing, Boyd hooked past the, centre.into the.corner of the nek A minute later the bell rang- for no side, and Wellington left the field entitled to again hold the New Zealand Challenge Shield. ■■■■ :

ENGLISH LADIES AND OTACO.: ""' VISITORS'.' EASY : WIN., ■ :•' • (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Dimcdin, Soptember 20.. . The English ladies'hockey team met a representative "Otago: side. on Saturday, and-secured victory by 6 goals.to nil. ; The'local team made a'good< show--ing,' but the splendid combination of the, visitors' forward line, aided by the good all-round play of the backs, never left' the issue in doubt. The effectiveness of the English ladies'•short'passes as opposed to the long hits of the Otago team was strikingly demonstrated.

: - N.Zr TEAM SELECTED. "'■After'the'match Mr. A. W. Manning picked the New Zealand team as follows to represent New Zealand against England at Wellington on Wednesday, September 30: — Goal, M. Arthur (Taranaki); fullbacks, E.'Birchley (Manawatu) and D. Tinney (Wellington); halves, M. Malcolm (Poverty Bay), D. Rabbidgo (Southland), and M. Swain (rjawke's Bay); forwards, M. M'Donnell (Wellington); S. Kruse (Canterbury), R. Malcolm (Poverty Bay); M. Pearce (Canterbury), R. Neilson (Wairarapa). Three further players are yet to be.selected.

INTERESTING LADIES' GAME. The only hockey game played at Karori on Saturday was a ladies' game between an elevon from the old Kiwi Club and a picked eleven of Wellington players: The game was most interesting to watch, though naturally the play was not of a high order. The Kiwi representatives as a result of retirement from active service were not exactly the equals of an eleven of young girls who had been battling 'for their respective clubs since the opening of the season. The Wellington girls had an easy victory of 4 goals to 2.' For the winners Misses Carrick. (2), M'Donnell, and Lr.ng scored, while Miss Elder secured both goals for Kiwis.

WEDNESDAY ASSOCIATION. The annual six-a-side tournament under the auspices of the Wednesday Association will be held at Karori Park next Wednesday. Tho following are the drawings for the first round:— Rambler C v: Hereawa B, Rambler B v. Hereawa A, Pakbha v. Potone, Hui Mai v. Rambler A.