HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 227, 25 September 1928, Page 15

HOCKEY.

THE DEVONPORT SHIELD.

TWELVE POINTS APIECE.

SOMERVILLE AND ST. LUKE'S.

The eighth round replaced the sixth in connection with the Devonport Shield competition on Saturday, and brought Soraervilie and University together sooner than expected. The arrangement also allowed Somerville to pay a visit to Hamilton without interfering with their collection of points, the Colts allowing the match to go by default. The withdrawal of North Shore gave University Whippets a couple of points. Therefore the day's programme consisted of three matches, and it can be stated without exaggeration that the bad weather robbed enthusiasts of a splendid exhibition of hockey, judging by the display on the sodden turf in the conflict between St. Luke's and Areta. Even under the trying conditions both teams attempted to carry out the traditions of the game, with the result that the small band of spectators who braved the elements were rewarded by witnessing play of a surprisingly good standard, terminating in a victory for St. Luke's by two goals to nil. The winners had a sounder combination in the rear and adapted methods more in keeping with the circumstances. Otahuhu had an easy win over Training College, the score being eight goals to three. Next Saturday Otahuhu will meet Somerville, and it has been rumoured that arrangements may be made for the match to decide the cup championship as well as count towards the Devonport Shield. It will be remembered that Somerville came out on top of the A section, while Otahuhu went through the B section without loss. Perhaps the toughest struggle of the day was between Mount Eden and Epiphany, which ended in a scoreless draw. Now that the Devonport Shield competition has practically reserved itself into a struggle between those old rivals, Somerville and St. Luke's, the meeting between the two elevens is awaited with interest. It is stated that St. Luke's will not be able to place their strongest eleven in the field on the date set down for the encounter. Still, there is not the least shadow of doubt that both teams will endeavour to be strongly represented. The Auckland junior representative team, which defeated Canterbury and retained the Junior Cup, also visited Hamilton and defeated the local B representatives by six goals to five. Poverty Bay, who originally challenged Auckland for the shield, journeyed to Wellington last Saturday and made a big bid for the trophy, but suffered defeat by four goals to two. A BIG SCORE. Whatever hope Training College possessed of extending Otahuhu was shattered before the teams went on the field, and it is-doubtful had they been successful whether the students would have been able to make a successful case in a protest that would have inevitably followed, judging by the jerseys. Training College team contained a fair sprinkling of University players. Outnumbered by Otahuhu, it was not long before they were outplayed, although Training College bad the satisfaction of obtaining the first score—quite a good one, too— which came from a. corner. Still, the students did very well to come through the first half only two goal* down. Neild, the Otahuhu goalie, was not overworked, except when he took a turn in the forward line. Rivers' hitting was the termination of most of the students' long advances. The halves settled down after the first few minutes, while the forwards had a day out, Jenkins heading most of the attacks until he tried his hand in the rearguard. Training College stuck to their task and had the satisfaction of scoring three goals in reply to the big crop piled up against them; but they had little hope of settling down to hockey of any quality, as for the greater part of the game the bulk of the side were called to act upon the defensive. Mathieaon and Turner were about the best of the backs, while Jessup, Bestic and Henderson were the most prominent of the forwards. EPIPHANY DISTURB MOUNT EDEN. According to the result Ephiphany achieved no small measure of success in drawing with Mount Eden, for they had the satisfaction of holding their own against one of the A section teams. When everything is taken into consideration, however, the statistical outlook is weakened. Apart from the state of the ground, Mount Eden, after searching the pavilion both below and above, succeeded in raising nine players to take the field; fortunately, seven out of the nine were regular members of the senior eleven. Towards the finish both teams made strenuous efforts to gain the verdict, and after Mount Eden had served up several likely looking sorties Epiphany took a further hand and subjected Mount Eden to several comers, which did not materialise. With the ball coming fairly evenly and the forwards on the run, the full-back usually had the upper hand. C. Mills shone out in the Epiphany defence, while J. Mills was also reliable at halfback. Winks got through a lot of work, and Michel lent assistance at times. Hewitt and Merryweather were the best of a moderate forward line. With a couple of gaps in their ranks, Mount Eden were somewhat handicapped. Atiderson, at full-back, put plenty of power into hie strokes. Surman did well under the circumstances. Hedges was the best of a flexible middle division. Kelly tried to cover both attack and defence, with the exception of shooting, for which there was reasonable nxcuep. Fletcher and Ash were the outstanding forwards. SOMERVILLE AT HAMILTON. In the game at Hamilton. Somerville defeated the local eleven by three goals to two. Played without rain, although falling prior to the commencement of the contest, it provided a very even struggle in the first half and before the visitors settled down the local team held an advantage, but throughout the spell play was for the most part scrappy. In the second half some really good hookey was witnessed, the visitors relying chiefly on the forwards to save the situation, while Hamilton offered stubborn resistance in the last line of defence. It was only the clever etickwork of E. Watts which was responsible for its fall. H. Watts nccdrnplisncrl jjoot! work on tlip rislit fl«nk. while Kweoitilw w»s n u-efnl inner link at half-back. E. Ropers was the Ixvt of a moderate trio. Smith played excellently at full-back.

Fletcher, of New Zealand fame, was in great form between the posts and applied the boot consistently and successfully, but was tricked by the Somerville centre-forward twice during the second epell. Allan and Ewen were a sound pair of full-backs. Spiers proved the best of the halves and Spiers at leftwing was invariably good. F. Craig, the ex-St. Luke's-player, was centre-forward for the Waikato team. The Somerville team returned to town on Sunday evening after having spent an enjoyable week-end. STUDENTS' CHANCES LOST. The students' and St. Luke's placed two evenly balanced teams in the field, and left the critics with opinions well divided as to the result of the game. St. Luke's launched the majority of their attacks from the right, and thus penetrated the weakest side of the students' defence. A fault with the 'Varsity half line by playing too deep assisted their opponents, for many of the long cross drives from the reds' left should have been intercepted instead of finding their objective. The all-round work of the St. Luke's back division was superior to the students'. Their tackling was determined and deadly, and all clearing hits well directed. Both Burnett and Williams, at full-back for the winners, were very safe. The half line proved a great strength, with special credit to Williams for the manner in which he "tied up" Philpotts, by no means an easy task with a player of his calibre. Steele was seen to great advantage, but his task was of a lighter nature. Butler has first mention of the forwards. He repeatedly initiated movements which was most unselfish, and gave the most convincing display since his advent on local fields. Hookham put in some fine work on the right wing, while Bay, on several solo efforts, deserved a better fate. J. Giles maintained good position, and proved ready whon wanted. Wynn, the 'Varsity goalie, had a busy time, and his efforts saved the team a solid defeat. North was best of the full-backs, although many of his clearances were of the hard and chance-to-luck order. Radcliffe and Storey were sound in defence as half-backs. The forwards were an even lot, with Hamilton and Seelen the most outstanding, although Philpotts, when the oportunity offered, showed hie dangerous qualities. Hβ was, however, closely -watched by Williams, but his ability was shown by the manner in which he accepted the least chance to pierce the defence.