HOCKEY STARTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 33, 2 May 1927, Page 10

HOCKEY STARTS

VARSITY JSRILLIANT ST. LUKE’S GOOD WIN HIGH STANDARD OF PLAY The start of the 1927 hockey season, the twenty-fifth controlled by the Auckland Association, was characterised by a notably high standard of play in most matches on Saturday afternoon. Allowing for the inevitable scrambling and loose combination evidenced in a few instances, the opening day’s work was singularly attractive and many sparkling contests were witnessed. Somerville and Varsity seniors, old rivals and each with a reputation to maintain, provided the outstanding exhibition of the day when the blues won a spirited battle by 2 goals to 1. St. Luke's was victorious over Wesley by a useful 2-0. The reds were stronger in attack and played one to the other in confidence, making the most of a vigorous vanguard. Wesley was over-anxious in the circle and many a incursion into enemy territory was nullified by indecision at the critical moment. Somerville Colts are a breezy combination and registered a comfortable win over the newly promoted Training College side by the sound figure of 3-1. University’s colts, who are also newcomers to senior ranks, were successful by 2-1, versus Epiphany, likewise making their bow in first grade competitions. Victory came Mount Eden’s way in its bout with Areta, by 3-2. The game was more or less of a scramble, constant bunching spoiling a fast and eventful contest. On the whole Mount Eden got the better- of matters, but the blacks made a smart rally during the closing stages and were unlucky in not registering at least even scores. UNIVERSITY'S GREAT DAY The students’ win is no mean achievement when it is recalled that this is the first match of a championship competition that the white jerseys have lost within a period of three years. Congratulations to the winners for their memorable effort and to Somerville for its unique record! Saturday’s war was waged in a commendable spirit of sportsmanship, which reflects the highest credit on the men of both flags. On the general run of play there was little, to choose between the sides. Somerville were first to command something like old form, with the result that in the initial stages they had the blues mainly defending.. Realising that things were not as they might be, University pulled itself together, and thereafter the opposing sides shared attack and defence with pendulum-like regularity. It was anybody’s game from then on. Varsity pressed continually, the whites going all out near the end in an endeavour to equalise. For last season's champions the Watts brothers, supported by Seccombe, did most of the forward work, while of the halves there was little to choose; all were formidable in adversity and Roberts was as safe as ever at right full back. Cooper, as custodian, pulled his men out of a tight corner on more occasions than one. For the blues’ van Greenbank, the right winger, and Burton did most of the work, while Radcliffe as centrehalf and Dr. Leonard on the left, fed their forwards consistently and were confidently sound in defence. Steen was in form as net-watcher, and to his efforts much of the credit of Varsity’s win is due. TRIUMPH OF ST. LUKE’S This match between the old rivals was characterised by hard hitting and quick stickwork, rather than the launching of combined attacking movements. Although play continued at a high pace throughout, the usual mistakes of early season play prevailed. Wesley commenced at a great pace and was unlucky in not scoring on more than one occasion. But before long St. Luke’s settled down and displayed good form for the opening match. Misjudgment in the circle frequently robbed the team of a goal. Their forwards had a tendency to overrun the ball and often this fault transferred the theatre of operations to opposite territory. Lucas, Wesley’s goalie, withstood many onslaughts and he certainly acquitted himself well. In the concluding stages the green forwards took all before them and some hot work ensued in the enemy circle, but overeagerness nullified any chance the greens had of scoring. TRAINING COLLEGE v. SOMERVILLE

The newly-promoted team set a merry pace to commence with and opened their account early in the match. Forceful hitting by the Somerville backs relieved on more than one occasion, but play for the first half was entirely in favour of the College lads. In the second half the aspect of the match changed. Colts invaded the College territory time after time, but brilliant work by Schwabe prevented the score from mounting. Pace had begun to tell on the Collegians, and the black and whites notched three goals in quick succession. Their forward rushes carried all before them and the score would have been much higher but for the brilliant defence of the College backs. Before the end, Somerville was put on the defence again. The College forwards regained some of the pace which they displayed in the earlier stages and made things merry for a while, and although they secured one goal they were unable to avert defeat. VARSITY COLTS v. EPIPHANY The contest was characterised by persistent attacking movements by the colts which eventually broke through the Epiphany defence. Only solid defence by J. Mills stopped the score from mounting against the yellow and black team. Hard hitting by the Varsity forwards spoilt many promising rushes. Hamilton and N. A. Leonard in the student van were a source of constant trouble to the Epiphany defence. Early in the second spell Epiphany broke through and took the ball to the enemy territory, with Hewitt and Merry weather in the van. The latter sent in a hot shot and Epiphany drew equal. Play proceeded at a hot pace, but too often hard hitting took the place of sharp, crisp passing. On the day Varsity was the better team, and by untiring attacking scored a wellmerited win.