HOCKEY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 152, 23 July 1909, Page 4

HOCKEY

THE CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-F®AL New Plymouth West and Carrington Road played the last of the'matches to decide the northern division championship, on the racecourse ground yesterday afternoon. As a result oX a hard and fast, but not particularly brilliant, game the New Plymouth men will have to meet the south end winners in the Until. Despite the importance ui the fixture, there was a very poor attendance of spectators, amongst whom was a very enthusiastic bevy of the members of the ladies' tennis, whose ■' barracking" was one of the features of the afternoon. The teams were very | evenly matched, so much so that, wncn time was called each side had two goals I to its credit, and play had to be continued for two further short spells of ten minutes each in order to uecide. Even then it was odds to one at one stage that the strife would be furtUer prolonged. New Plymouth had the better condition, which stood to them in the ; final stages, and won them tiie match. Tiie play was not quite what might reasonably have-been expected from wie leading teams. There was an unnecessary amount of obstruction and ** bullocking," and far too much " talk" and appealing. Mr. K Koberson referecd, and gave satisfaction to both teams. At the commencement of the game : Carrington Road assumed the upper liand : and there was hot work in front of the L blues' goal, Perham eventually scoring. The yellows continued to press, but t, some rash " speculating" let their op- > ponents through once or twice, and • A. Ambury soon brought the score level. The rest of the spell was principally i in favor of the suburban team, JM. Terry • adding another goal and narrowing miss. 1 • ing a couple more. One of these was. . dun to lieid's speculating, 'but Price i- saved the situation at goal. The yeil lows sent in three or four hot shots, - but they got past the net. One attack r was turned by Beale, who passed up to 5 G. Pearec. lie centred well, ana .rotary had a shot, giving a corn.r ~.tst _| before half-time.

Upon changing ends, the blues oegan to take the upper liand. A penalty against Crawford for obstruction quietened the attack, but soon Jfookea was given n nice chance, but the net was missed, A. McEwcn returning to the corner. Carrington Road's goal-keeping looked problematical, the side pmyrag with three full-backs and no goal-kccpcrj but MeEwen was generally on mind when wanted, and* took no risks, using his hand or foot to stop the ball before smiting. The yellow forwards smuggled the ball through, and Murett got nght , in front of goal, only a few feet awaythen he slipped. N. Perry sent in a couple of smart, shots, after himself dribbling the ball through, but on each occasion 11. Price saved by kicking the ball out of danger—defence that was warmly applauded.- The two Aniburys were promiiiout in a rush that gave Fookes another chance. The hall reached the net, but the drive was from outside the circle. Then Hoy Ambury had a shot, the ball going over the goal. The Blues had three unsuccessful shots in quick succession, keeping up a not attack and beating their opponents for position. Then Perry went through again, but once again his shot went wide. A. Ambury was the man who eventually brought th e score to 2 —2, nniking the goal himself. Then play became sudden, the ball travelling from end to end with exciting rapidity. Price saved another goal with his foot. At call of time it was decided to play on. Some of tlie yellows, notably Jordan and Marett, were tiring, hut the town team was going strong. Pearce gave Fookes a. nice pass, and he gave it to Roy Ambury, who scored amidst great excitement. The blues now adopted defensive tactics, but then changed once more to brisk attack. Robson staved I off a rush by Carrington Road, and Pearce centred, A. Amburv just missing another. Again Peavco got a chance and l passed to Fookes, who scored. 4—2. A short spell ensued. In the final ten minutes X. l'ervy shot a capital goal, ( the result of a fine dribble. 4—<i. Carrington Road " bucked up" now. .fust before time was called Marett had a nice shot, but Price stopped with his hand, and the game ended in New Plymouth's favor by 4 goals to 3. For the winners A. MeEwen (at full), IT. MeEwen (centre half), and Clapham were the best backs, despite the latter'# i,oo frequent risky speculation. ?The Perrys and Perham were the best forwards. For New Plymouth Pearce (wing forward) played with fine judgment. The Aniburys were the best forwards. Price was splendid at goal, and Turibnll ami Robson the bi'st of the remaining backs.

Th o semi-final for southern division honors win play ml at Hawera. yesterday afternoon, between Stvatfoi'd and Hawera, tlie local team ; being victorious by two goals to one.