HOCKEY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81826, 20 August 1906, Page 3

HOCKEY.

|TABA3AK[ v. AUCKLAND. There was a eood attendance of hockey enthusiasts at the Racecourse! ground on Saturday, when the interprovincial hockey match, Tarauaki vers as Auckland, was played. The game was a well-contested one, there not being much to choose between the teams. In individual play, Tarauaki probably had more players who showed brilliant form, but their combinat'on was very much below that shown by the Aucklanders, whose con. ccrted movements and baeking-up were almost perfect. Shortly after " bullyoff," Auckland was called on to defend, Armstrong sending iu a shot which just went above the goal. The Anckland forwards, prominent amongst whom was Doyle, replied with a fast dribble, which was well stopped by Avery. The Aucklanders again came away with a splendid dribble down the left line, and centred, McAllum saving just in time. A moment later a shot by one of the visitors went wide A big Taranaki rush carried play to lh" other end, where a line shot by Annstrong was nicely saved by the visitors' goal keeper. Tarauaki continued to press, and Armstrong had another Hying shot stopped by a slick right in the mouth of the goal. Shortly afterwards Welham, who wis playing brilliantly, ! centered cleverly, but Hallett missed ; badly, and Porter changed the scene. Avery being called on to save. Welham got on a good dribble, and centred well from the right, but Marrett slipped at the critical moment. Immediately afterwards, the Auckland 1 for*arcs broke away with a splendid rush, carryini; the ball right through, J Mason shooting a line goal.

Auckland 1 Taranaki 11 The pace seemed to be telling on the local backs, who frequently were out of their positions, a fault that nearly cast them another score. Crawford s ivinp. From a penalty, Jlarett scnl nicely to Arnislrong, who shut :i ucaulv, tin' -core*. Auckland preyed Ic.rd for some lim ■, <1 brilliant defence, stopping two cor-1 Umtie> in i|uick -ucci'ssiou. Tin 1 visitors were not to he denied, howcv r. ai;d from a scramble the hull was >cnl into the Taranaki goal with lightning for. e, Auckland ... 2 Taranaki 1

The play was fairly even till half way. On resuming, Wclhaui was re*poiisible for a series of attacks on tinAuckland goal, bm weak -hootm;; spoilt several good opportunities. Welliam received a na-ty knock 011 ihc head, and went "out" for a time. Hallctt, who was improving on hiplay, badly beat two opponents, and gave the home team a splendid opportunity to score, but the Aucklauderwerc cijual to the occa-.-iuii. The pressure was maintained for some time, bat the Auckland men. by heavy hitting, cleared, Avery averting danger with a good speculator. Avery almost immediately afterwards saved brilliantly by determined tackling. Welhaia g .| away, and centred to Armstrong. . who made no mi-take, again equalising ! the score.-. I'lay alternateii from end I to end for some time, both sides linss.i'g a iiuuilar of vhots -,it the goal. I'ur'ng a hot attack on tiie Taranaki I J line, t v\o of the Auckland bucks, Doyle ' and Young. {collided, and were for a time hors de combat. A forward rush by the visitors found the home backs nut of position, and W Lcpine scored a simple goal. Auckland ... ... Taranaki t The locals made strenuous effort--1 to score, but mistakes were frequent ; and the visitors' defence was very . solid, tod the gauip ended in favout

of Auckland as above. Shortly before the conclusion Avery (Taranaki) una Mason (Auckland) were ordered off. Mason, Young, and Doyle were the most prominent of the visitors' forwards, and Anderson, Bloomfield and Mason amongst the backs. The local forwards played a very good game, but combination ivas wanting amongst the backs. The most prominent were Welham, Avery, Sergeant, Marrett, Anilstrong, and A'Court. Crawford was very safe. The visitors were afterwards entertained by the Taranaki men.