HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 239, 9 October 1928, Page 13

HOCKEY.

DEVONPORT SHIELD COMPETITION. FASTER AND BRIGHTER PLAY. OTAHUHU'S METHODS IMPROVE. The. result of last Saturday's matches did not make .any difference in position as far as Somerville and St. Luke's were concerned. At one stage during the afternoon Mount Eden led Somerville, much to the delight' of- St. Luke's supporters, but eventually Somerville came out yictorious by four goals to two. Mount Eden put tip a good fight considering that they played one short throughout. Otahuhu and University furnished a close and interesting struggle, with the result in doubt almost to the end,. Otahuhu' gaining the odd goal in seven shortly before time was called. Taking into consideration the. conditions prevailing, it was quite a satisfactory display, although the victory was somewhat of a surprise; ; v .\" fetepiphany scored » victory over Whippets, winning by four goals to one; and Training College showed something like their true form in defeating Somerville Colts by the narrowest of margins. The final series of matches in connection with the Devonport Shield is set down for decision next Saturday afternoon, when the chief attraction will be the meeting of Somerville and Otahuhu. Additional interest is added on account of the two teams being section winners in the cup competition, and the result of ■the match will also decide, this premiership. The following table shows the positions of the teams in the Devonport Shield competition to date:— Goals Shield W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Somerville ... 8 26 n 16 • St. Lake's .... 7 1 — 20 4 14 Mount Eden .. 5 2 1 20 19 11 Otahuhu 4 3 1 24 18 9 University .... 4 4 — 23 12 8 Epiphany 3 3 2 5 13 8 Training • College 3 5 — 11 28-6 Somerville Colts .16 1 6 16 3 Univ. Whippets... 1 6 1 4 16 '3 North Shore dropped out of the competition. 5

AMENDE HONORABLE. In obtaining a victory over University Otahuhu accomplished much towards removing the reproaches cast upon them, the outcome of their performances on the previous Saturday. It was by no means a thrilling game,, nor was it brilliant, but just a display of hockey which Held the interest of the spectators until the end. , . The tricky nature of the hardened turf hampered delicate operations to a great extent, and it appeared that the two sets of half-backs suffered most. The ball travelled at lightning pace at times, and was not easily intercepted or trapped. University opened in a promising manner, and it looked as if an easy victory was at hand, judging by the confident manner in which attacks were launched against tie Otahuhu goal. However, Otahuhu escaped with a solitary goal at that period. Once the B section leaders removed the danger they figured more prominently in tl»> encounter, and, notwithstanding that the scores were evened with a lucky goal, had their full share of the play until the end. It was an excellent recovery on the part of Otahuhu. During the time that the students dominated the situation most of the attacking was engineered on the right, but thereafter little play was directed towards that quarter, most of the advance veering , to the left. Otahuhu made most progress from the left during the first spell, and quite a number of

centres were served up after the defence I had been drawn, but several went begging through the inability of the inner forward to "pick up" while on the move. Later, the opposite flank were responsible for developments, but most of the finishing was done from the centre. On the whole the Otahuhu forward play was of a fast, bustling type, and all were triers to the last. Several times the ball was overtaken just on the border lines, both back and side, when it seemed well-nigh impossible to intercept its progress. A noticeable feature was the open formation in attacking, and a couple of really good bouts eventuated. No doubt University set the example in the way of attacking, and at the start they seemed able to knock the ball about at will, but their efforts in the circle were by means convincing. Still, it must not be forgotten that Otahuhu possessed a resourceful custodian in Nield, and he took a terrific , angular shot from Philpott, which rebounded straight back, and the students' crack shot served up another "hummer" which cannoned against the side of the net. Truly, it was speedy .shooting. With the halves somewhat out of the picture at the start, the Otahuhu fullbacks had a busy time, Everitt being prominent in the defence of the citadel. Rivers seemed somewhat anxious when the students first surrounded the goal* but soon revealed his usual hitting powers. At half-back a promoted junior in Cotterall was extremely energetic. Although his hitting was rather forceful for the position, it assisted in extricating the side from danger. W. Gardiner was steady throughout. The ■ left flank developed the most reliable attack. F. Gardiner and McKenzie operated successfully, although the goal to Gardiner was seasoned with a spice of good fortune. Jenkins accounted for most of the goals in a business-like manner.

Weakened by the absence of North and Hay, University established themselves so strongly that they appeared capable of securing an easy win. Certainly the first Otahuhu goal was a surprise for all, and the movement which produced the winning, goal emanated from a "ruck." Still, the following wtork should have furnished the desired result. University may take some credit for the improvement in the play of the opposition. Brown had a lot of ground to cover at full-back, and his activities, although somewhat hampered through being indifferently shod, were valuable. Radcliffe faced a lively opposition resourcefully. He received a shock when the "boot" was applied in preventing him from shooting. Ellison was more effective in the first spell, while Storrey did better in the second. Philpott proved the best of the forwards, though at the start the line appeared eager. Hamilton got away several times.

AN IMPROVEMENT. • In an even contest which waged through the first spell without a score, Training College succeeded in obtaining the only g9al of the match .against Somerville Colts shortly after the second half commenced. With both teams endeavouring to open up play a fast pace was maintained throughout the contest. As the score indicates, there was very little to choose between the two teams, Training College having slightly the better of the argument. There is not the least shadow of doubt that Somerville Colts lost a couple of good opportunities towards the close of'the game. Training College .introduced a little more method into their (movements, and with something like a complete forward line showed . more cohesion, but lacked the finishing touches. Meiklejohn showed out conspicuously with a reverse stroke, by no means artistic, though effective. Bestic and

Jessup put in some good work. The middie division was only moderate, Turner being the best of the trio. At full-back White got through a lot of work satisfactorily. Allen saved a couple of likely shots. The Colts,'with one short, put up a really good fight and went within an ace of scoring. Cooper figured as goalie and full-back, maintaining his reputation. Hunter waa also in evidence. Heard proved fairly reliable at the half line. Edwards was the most aggressive of the forwards. Preston worked the line, principally to the right, and a little bit of finessing was almost successful.

EPIPHANY'S THIRD WIN. Epiphany and University Whippets had early occupancy of the ground in front of the pavilion, and it is pleasing to chronicle that the hockey showed improvement over the display of last week. Epiphany, indulging in some open play, were prominent at the start,'and maintained the ascendancy until the end. During the closing of the first spell the students were in evidence, and shortly after resuming forced Epiphany to the defensive, but failed to score again, and Epiphany, utilising both flanks, put the game beyond doubt; The Epiphany forwards worked with more cohesion than usual, but did not neglect opportunities regarding individual efforts to overcome the students' defence, and several good runs were accomplished during the spell. Although Linton had four up, he smothered several shots from the Epiphany forwards. Noakes was the more effective of the full-backs. Wilson had a busy time at half-back and came through the ordeal creditably. The forwards grafted hard, but were weak in the circle.. For Epiphany Hewitt was prominent in working the line, while his shooting 1 was invariably dangerous. K. Milla and

Taw rendered good service. The halves were inclined to wander, Winks being about the best of the trio* P. Mills supplied a sound defence. . v .

KEEN DEFENCE. As Mount Eden took the' field "with an improvised and shorthanded team for the encounter with Somerville, hopes of a keenly fought game were killed, but five minutes after hostilities started the stubborn defen<£ of the Edenites against the shock attacks of Somerville caused the spectators to realise that a stubborn contest was in store. So it proved, and excitement began to increase when Mount Eden registered the first'score and kept their own goal intact for so long. The whites had to extend all their energies to gain the lead, and to the satisfaction of everybody this was accomplished in a clear hard-fought encounter. _ Neither team's movements were carried out smoothly, for the hard, bunipv ground caused the ball to spin in a most uncertain manner, but it was the rapid recovery of the players that prevented complete breakdowns. There was little between the teams on the day, and the whites deserve their success. Chiplin, in Somerville's net, effected s6me good saves. Smith was the soundest of the full-backs. Gardiner was somewhat inconsistent, but at times showed good work. Munro maintained good position, giving a good, solid display of centre half play. Forward E. Watts has the honours, while C. Watts and Seccombe come next. In the Mount Eden goal Anderson proved a hard obstacle to overcome. Kelly, at full-back, was seen in one of his best gapes, and was equally capable in moving into~another position as occasion demanded in the shorthanded team. Hedges was useful, while forward there was little to choose - among the quartet, Penman, Chaplin, Fletcher and Jones.