BIG HOCKEY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 292, 29 August 1918, Page 9

BIG HOCKEY

AUCKLAND AND WELLINGTON MEET

A DRAWN GAME •«p' Tlio Auckland and the Wellington fcockey representatives met at Karori Park yesterday afternoon. No rain fell during tho match, but the weather was bitterly cold, and very few people turned out to witness the contest. The ground was rather heavy and slippery Wellington's shortage of practicc was expected to tell against them, but they managed to draw with tho northerners, who in most departments showed superiority in the skill which comes of ample training. Wellington's forwards compared ill with tho visiting forwards, but their backs wore exenilent. In fact, tho Auckland forwards spont almost tho whole of tho second spell in the Wellington circle, but failed to break down the brilliant defence of the local rearguard. Although •Auckland had Wellington defending vluiost throughout the second spell, Wellington were unlucky in'losing, as a goal scored by Tate was disallowed through a mistake oil the part of one of tho referees. As it was, the game ended in a draw.

Immediately play commenced, the Auckland forwards, who from the beginning. showed good combination, carried play to the Wellington circle, but Wellington cot out of the difficulty, and removed plav to the vicinity of the Auckland: goal. On several occasions tho Auckland forwards exhibited nico combination, but Wellington rallied round the goal well, and kept the ball just clear of the circle. Onco in the circle, Auckland shot for the)goal, but Spiers (the Wellington keeper) saved cloverly. After a wliilo Wellington's play, which had been very ragged, improved considerably. Iy. Tate, on the left wing, drovo tho ball hard across to Law, on the right. Law worked the ball into tho oircle, and gtsve Norton a chance to goal. Norton aooepted the opportunity, and tho score stood: — Wellington 1 Auckland 0 Auckland again attacked, but fine play by Price and Hancock drove them lacs tune after time. Price's big hitting at length helped Wellington to get. to .the Auckland goal again. Onco nioro Law worked the ball into tho circle for Norton, who scored his secrid goal:— Wellington 2 Auckland ; 0 Wellington kept Auckland very busy for a while, but the Auckland forwards w<s© tricky, and one tine break-away saw them again around the Wellington goal, where Laver was presonted with a very soft chance, from which 'he scored easily:— "Wellington '2 Auokland 1 For a time Wellington played so well that their superiority was quite' remarkable. Thoy swept through the visitors, and Tate, connng in ifast from the wing, took a flying shot from a hard angle. The ball struck the post, tut Tato followed up and drovo it into che net. However, botween tho first and second hits, Referee Manning had whiatled, because he was under the impression that a goal had been scored ivith tho first hit. Tho fact that the whistle had blown a fraction of a second before Tato took tho second - shot waj accounted sufficient to deprive Wellington of the goal. But for this technicality there never was a fairer goal. Wellington's ' luok was out. Shortly before, the end oif the spell, Auckland attacked again, and A. Alexander scorod.' At half-time the scores were:— Wellington : 2 Auckland 2 From beginning to end of tho second spell Auckland pressed Wellington very bard, except for a few occasions on which the home team got out of its difficulties and became rather dangerous. Auckland carried play to tho Wellington circle as soon as tho ball was bullied off, and! only a smart save by Spiers prevented a scoro. Tho Auckland attack increased in cleverness, but it failed on numerous occasions to supply tho finishing touch. Good bb the attack was. the defence was admirablo. Tho Wellington backß defended with wondorful tenacity, and .frequently their work .was brilliant. "VVost beat down the attack repeatedly, and he was ably supported throughwit by Price and Hancock. Spiers ■saved sovoral hot shots, aud when time WB3 called Auckland were still attacking, but tho scoro remained: Wellington 2 Auckland 2 Messrs j. O. Cusaok and A. W. Manning were the referees. 1 FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY. The following are the fixtures, grounds, and referees for Saturday:— LADIES' ASSOCIATION. Seniors. Trial game—A. v. 8., No. 1, Karori Park; referee, Mr. Edwards. Juniors. Y.W.C.A. v. Te Aro School, No. 6, Karori Park; referee, Mr; Needham. MEN'S ASSOCIATION. Karori v. Y.M.C.A., No. 8, Karori Park, referees, Messrs. Pragnell and Wheatloy. llainblers v. YiM.C.A. O, No. 6, Karori Park; referees, Messrs. Dougall and Jones. Base Records v. 01.C.A. B, No. 7, Karori Park:, referees, Messrs. Edwards and Lloyd. Featherston, a byo.

The following will represent the Y.M.C.A. Hockey Club in its matches at Karori Park next Saturday:—A Team v. Karori—Cunningham, Cameron, Wright, Gardiuer, Bottom, Bascnnd, Atkinson, F. Muir, Hogan, lirazendale, W. Muir, B Team v. liaso Records—Russell, Roxburgh, Hoffein, M'Cluskey, Walker, Harper, Jameison, Cousins, Tnndy, Butchcr, Adams, Poarce. C Team v. Ramblors—Burton, Espina, Hillianl, Herd, Louisson, Jeromson, Shoat, Synie, J. M'Farlano, Bateman, Connell, A. M'Farlano.