Good Hockey Display By Somerville—Games at Remiiera

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 45, 16 May 1927, Page 11

Good Hockey Display By Somerville —Games at Remiiera

SLIDING ON SODDEN GROUNDS

SLIPPING and sliding about on sodden grounds, Auckland hockey players who met at Remuera on Saturday to battle for pride of place in the Association club competitions, for the most part put up a poor showing. Many teams were short of players and wild hitting and poor combination was largely in evidence. An outstanding exhibition of hockey as it should be played, however, was given by Somerville, who combined splendid team work and a sound knowledge of the finer points of the game.

ALMOST UP TO REP. STANDARD When Areta lost to Somerville by seven goals to nil they lost little prestige. They fielded three men short, and put up a very creditable fight against overwhelming odds. Every other team on the field could learn points watching Somerville players in action. They play hockey as it should be played, with their heads as well as their heels. Their forward line is up to representative standard. Against Areta they had things practically their own way, and the game centred for the greater part of the time in their opponents’ territory. GREAT FORWARD PLAY Watch their forward line in action. Pushed right back into their , own circle, Cole clears and connects with Rodgers or IT. Watts on the wings. Nothing can stop them. The forward line moves as one man, and the ball is manoeuvred down the field. There is no blind swiping. Almost every hit has a purpose as the leather passes from man to man according to the movements of their opponents. They make mistakes, certainly, plenty of them, still, they play a very fine game. That is how they played against Areta. Areta were triers, but shortfielded as they were, they hadn’t a chance. The outstanding Somerville players, apart from the scorers, were Rodgers and Cole. For Areta, Ashley was a thorn in the side of his opponents. Time after time he warded off a promising move and was a battler throughout. Davis at full-back also proved worthy of his place and was a hard worker. R. Carter and Smallwood were among those who displayed creditable work. RAIN SPOILS PLAY If anyone expected to see good play as a result of the Eden-St. Luke’s contest, they were doomed to disappointment. In the true sense, it wasn’t hockey—not scientific hockey. Both teams made the game willing, hut there was little head work evidenced, and combination, such as could reasonably be expected in a senior contest, was practically non-existent. Heavy rain which fell practically throughout the whole of the contest didn’t help matters, and time after time players measured their length on the ground. Play was fairly even and there was little to choose between the teams. The only goal sebred, Eden’s, was secured by Fletcher, who seized an opening during a scramble in the circle. WESLEY SUCCUMBS TO VARSITY The game between Wesley, green, and University, blue, cannot be taken as a fair test of the relative merits of the contestants. Wesley could rake ( together only nine men, some of whom were third-graders, while the blues turned out to a man, hence the figure 6-0 in favour of Varsity is no disgrace to Wesley. For the first half of the game the blues had things practically their own way and, but for the brilliant opposition by Lucas, custodian for the greens, the adverse account would have been embarrassing. This goalie is one of the best exponents of lusty kicking and heady stickwork appearing in Auckland hockey this season. His success lies in his fearless rushing out to meet an attack where another is content to wait between the posts to be shot at. Sparling did big work in a new position and proved himself a dangerous unit when he got a share of the ball. During the last 20 minutes Wesley appeared to pull together better nnd had the students pressed and on the defensive. Steen

in goal for Varsity proved equal to the task of staving off the opposition and cleared cleverly. Burton was in great form, as was Seelen: in fact, the whole of Varsity’s front line have developed into a syndicate of dashing huntsmen and are discarding individual effort for the safer tactics of combined aggression. The halves were unfortunate in losing Dr. Leonard, and it is to be hoped his injury will not prevent his further appearance this season. SOMERVILLE COLTS OUTPLAY EPIPHANY Although taking the field minus their left-winger and lacking a full-back. Somerville colts completely outplayed Epiphany in the senior B grade. The colts’ forward line gave an exhibition of clever stickwork, Col Preston’s work being particularly attractive, and his *&oals were the result of heady hockey. Preston has command of a promising side which will go far in the competitions. Epiphany has some good exponents of individual play, but the team must acquire a better understanding, especially in the half line which has an unfortunate propensity to rove. If this tendency is subdued and the ball is worked more to the wings from midfield play, prospects will be brighter for the black and yellows. There is plenty of fire and dash in their forwards, but that is of little value without combination. Although playing minus one fullback and their left-winger Somerville Colts completely outplayed Epiphany. Col. Preston secured three goals and Hunter 1. Mr. L. C. Kent refereed. VARSITY COLTS LOSE TO TRAINING COLLEGE This was an evenly-contested battle as the figure 2-1 in favour of College denotes. During the earlier stages University pressed their opponents keenly, but wild shooting negatived some likely advances. Burton registered nicely for the light blue jerseys as the culmination of a pretty move. After half-time, College were seen in some harassing rushes and wore down their rivals. Linton in goal for Varsity was hard put to it, but acquitted himself creditably in the face of vigorous onslaughts. This was one of the best exhibitions of the day, but it could not be called high-grade hockey. JUNIOR COMPETITIONS Second Grade. —University Colts, 0, beat St. Luke’s, 4; Mount Eden, 5, beat University A, 2. Third Grade. —University A, 3, beat Wesley, 0; Somerville, 3, beat Grammar, 2; Papatoetoe won from Training College by default. Somerville v. Areta Somerville.—B. Cooper, IT. Roberts, W. Gardner, G. Cole, W. Haggett, K. Rogers, B. Watts, R. Seccombe, E. Watts, C. Watts, A. Rogers. Areta. —D. Wilkie, C. Davis, M. Archer, C Ashby, R. Savage, C. Smallwood, G. Rykers, W. Hayson, J. Carter, P. Anthony, R. Carter. Mr. L. C. Kent refereed. Areta fielded three players short. Somerville playing up to their usual standard, regulated the game, and play except for spasmodic counters, centered mostly in Areta territory. Somerville played with excellent combination. Considering the disparity in numbers Areta put up a very creditable showing, Ashley in particular being prominent in defence. By half-time Somerville had four goals to their credit, E., H. and C. Watts being responsible for one each, while Seccombe gained the other.