Improved Hockey in Men’s Contests

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 51, 23 May 1927, Page 11

Improved Hockey in Men’s Contests

PLAY AT REMUERA GAMES REVIEWED POSITION OF TEAMS The position of the senior men’s teams is shown in the following table: A SECTION

When it was found that Savage would not be available to play for Areta on Saturday and Hughes, who had already played a strenuous game that afternoon, had to be recruited from the junior ranks, it v/as thought by many that the team would suffer defeat. Yet, Hughes proved the surprise packet of the day, and it was largely due to his strenuous play that Areta secured a victory.

Clean scientific hockey was featured in the Somerville-St. Luke’s contest. It was a great game and, though the St. Luke players failed to withstand the superior attacking tactics of their opponents’ forward line, they played a great game, their backs proving their worth time and time again.

ARETA SCORES OVER VARSITY While the best hockey was featured in the Somerville contest, most interest centred round the Varsity-Areta struggle. It was a hard fight from beginning to end and Varsity owe their defeat to hard luck. A hard-fought struggle in the Areta circle saw the ball find the net well above the ground, but the referee ruled against them. Play was open and fast throughout, though better combination could have been expected, the stickwork generally was good. Hughes was the live wire for Areta, and proved the battler of the day. He certainly may have been out of position at times, but time after time he checked a promising Varsity movement and displayed heady stickwork. Ashley also proved cool and reliable, and his stickwork was calculated and sure. Davis in the backs was safe. The Areta forward line proved their weakest link.

Varsity lacked the dash of their opponets and gave the best exhibition of hockey. Their forward line in attack put in pretty work, displaying creditable stickwork and combination. It was in the circle where they failed, however, lacking just the necessary team work to assure them finding the net. Greenbank and Burton were their outstanding forwards, while Radcliffe was also prominent. For Areta Hayson found the net once while Carter was responsible for the other two. Varsity’s pair were shot by Seelan and Greenbank respectively. Mr. J. IT. Norton refereed. ANOTHER WIN FOR SOMERVILLE Final scores in the Somerville-St. Luke’s contest registered 3—o in favour of the former,’ but each score was the result of a hard fight, in which the St. Luke’s defence put up a great fight against the splendid combination and calculated stickwork of their opponents’ forward line, backed up by three worthy halves. It was no one-sided game. St. Luke’s forward line was seen in many promising moves, in which Hookham was prominent with tricky and well-di-rected stickwork. Craig also used his stick to advantage in the front line, and Steele exhibited heady work in the halves and Williams proved worthy of his place in the backs. Somerville played up to its usual standard and the players’ knowledge of the finer points of the game was good to watch. The work of the whole forward line was particularly fine, the combination and well-directed and unselfish stickwork provided an object lesson for the field. The work of Rodgers and Cole in the halves was particularly outstanding. The scorers were C. Watts, A. Rodgers and Seccombe. Mr. H. B. ’Speight refereed. WESLEY FALLS TO EDEN The figures, 3 to 1, in favour of Mount Eden, is not strictly indicative of the run of play of this exciting match. Until the last quarter it was anybody’s game, when Wesley somehow went to pieces, allowing Eden to pile on two in the last few minutes. The contest throughout was played at a ding-dong pace and was an exhbition of clean, open hockey, which was a treat to watch. Jansen playing left wing for Eden appeared to give the best display of clever stickwork on the field. He was ever on the ball when it came his way. Postles also was seen to advantage, but he lost some chances through over-anxiety in the opposite circle. For Wesley, McGuinness as CListodian gave a finished exhibition, being particularly active in kicking. He was hard pressed continually during the final stages, but at all times merited his promotion from secorid grade. A. Burton is a hard worker at fullback, and on Saturday fed his wing men with good judgment and was sound in defence. All three halves knew their business, and showed marked improvement over their earlier efforts this season. Fitt, Oldham and Wattham did most of the van work, Oldham’s goal being the result of seeing an opening for a quick short shot. The whole eleven seems to have acquired a better understanding, man with man, and this match was a creditable performance which should restore the green jerseys’ confidence in one another for future efforts. EPIPHANY BEATS VARSITY Epiphany won the contest by 3 goals to 2 after a gruelling fight, which could not be described as an inspiring object lesson to teams of an inferior grade. Varsity fielded more or less of a scratch eleven, which proved to be a dull combination. Epiphany quite deserved its win. which was due more to sound stickwork by the backs than to any outstanding ability in the forward line. Merryweather was at the top of his form, and his two goals were of the crisp variety, one shot being particularly difficult. Epiphany had decidedly the better of the final quarter, although matters were discussed on fairly even terms until then. N. A. Leonard for some reason appeared to be absolutely off his game, his hitting lacked sting and he would have done better work had he kept his place instead of roving. Hay is a forward with plenty of dash, but he often breaks down in the circle through over eagerness. Leonard, playing goal for the Colts, gave a good account of himself and had plenty of work to do. A redeeming feature of the scramble was the work of Epiphany half line, which, in cooperation with the backs, did its utmost to open up the game and the forwards, with Hewitt and Merryweather always prominent, were not slow to make the most of whatever came their way. Junior Grade Somerville, 5 (Misses Andrews. 3, Claudet, Walker) beat YW C.A. B 0: Mount Eden. 3 (Misses Hollis 2, Michel), beat Y.W.C.A. C, 2 (Miss Fraser, 2). Wesley, 13 (Misses Sparling 5, Brodie 3. Burton 3, E. Sanders, H. Sanders), beat Y.W.C.A. A, 1 (Miss Purchas).

P. W. 3D. 3D. Goals. F. A. Ch. Pts Mount Eden . . 4 S Somerville 4 3 1 0 16 3 6 University 4 1 1 11 5 5 Areta 4 0 11 13 4 St. Luke’s 4 1 1 3 3 Wesley 4 0 4 0 2 17 0 B SECTION P. W. Jj. 3D. Goals. F. A. Ch. Somerville Colts 3 3 0 0 13 3 6 Training: Col. . 3 1 0 11 4 4 1 niversity Colts 4 0 6 10 Epiphany .. .. 4 0 4 0 2 lb 0