Force and Speed Fall to Science

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 57, 30 May 1927, Page 11

Force and Speed Fall to Science

FAST AND OPEN HOCKEY WESLEY’S LOSING FIGHT combination and scientific play, force, even when allied with speed, almost inevitably prove of little avail. This was clearly demonstrated in the Sdmerville-Wesley contest when, after some of the fastest and most brilliant hockey seen this season, Wesley went to pieces, and lost by five goals to nil. Fast open play was featured in the Varsity-Eden contest, while hard hitting and dashing forward movements characterised the battle between St. Lukes and Areta.

CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE The position of the teams in the senior contests is shown in the following table:

When it was learned that C. Watts and Seccombe were not available, and that their places would have to be taken by players from the ranks of the juniors, even Somerville players had misgivings regarding the issue of their battle with Wesley. The juniors proved worthy of the trust imposed in them, however, and to their efforts Somerville largely owe their victory. Lee was particularly prominent in

the forward line. Adopting bustling tactics. Wesley launched a formidable offensive right from the bully-off, but against their opponents’ strong combination it proved of little avail. Play gradually settled down to alternative attacks on the respective nets, in which both goalies were seen to advantage. The work of Lucas for Wesley was particularly brilliant, for, handicapped as he was with the sun in his eyes, slippery ground underfoot, time after time he warded off what appeared a sure goal. Close on half-time, from a scramble in the circle, Lucas cleared, then slipped, and Lee, quick to seize an opening, found the net. In the second half Somerville’s outstanding combination and cool and well-directed stickwork told, and towards the end of the game they had things much their own way, the Wesley combination weakening, though they died fighting to the last, and some exceptionally creditable solo work was exhibited. Somerville’s stickwork was quick and effective, and resulted in E. Watts and Cole bringing the score up to s—o.5 —0. In the Somerville goal Cooper played well, while the work of Gardner and Roberts, in the backs, judged from club hockey standards, was outstanding, their hitting being sure and hard. The halves and forward line combined to launch moves quite up to the rep standard. Wesley’s main deficiency was combination. Every player was a trier, and the stickwork throughout was good, though not as well directed as was the case with their opponents. This team also had to fall back on a player from the junior ranks, but Chappell, the man chosen, proved a battler throughout. Sparling, in the backs, was one of this team’s star men. His hitting was sure and ca-1 culated; time after time the failure of a likely Somervillle forward movement was due to his efforts. Burton, Fitt, and Oldham, in the forward line, all played well, though increased teamwork might have resulted in a different issue. Mr. Norton refereed.

ST. LUKE’S DRAWS WITH ARETA A ding-dong struggle and one of the best exhibitions of clean, open hockey seen at Remuera this season, summarises the fixture between Luke’s and Areta decided on No. 2 Ground on Saturday. When the teams marclieu on the field at 3 p.m. the turf was considerably cut up through the work of the previous match and was sluggish and treacherous; consequently play was ragged, and indifferent stick-work was the rule for the first 10 minutes. However, both sides soon sized up the handicap and from then on a rattling good battle was staged. Areta (black) got going rather sooner than the opposition and had Luke’s (red) defending busily. Hanna, in goal, was hard put to stave off the dangerous onslaughts of the black attacking party with Hayson and "Nick” Carter always to the fore, furthermore a blinding sun did not help the custodian, yet by vigorous kicking and clever speculating he kept his ne tintact for 20 minutes until Hayson banged one in with a lusty swipe. Roused by tl>e one down feeling, Luke’s made the pace hot, giving “Cliook” Ashley, Davis, Wilkie and company some desperately anxious moments. Play surged in merry style between the respective objectives with nothing to choose between the rivals. Craig, left-winger, Bay and Tom Giles were doing the big share of Luke’s attack, the wing man being particularly dangerous. Steele was the mainspring of the half-way department, his stickwork was not so attractive as usual, but the heavy state of the field militated against accurate timing.

Shortly before half-time Tom Giles equalised for Luke's from a fine breakaway by Bay. Both sides struggled hard for the supremacy in the second half but no further scores were registered. St. Luke’s were playing against heavy odds, their side having been weakened by the two accidents on previous Saturdays, nevertheless they gave a most praiseworthy performance, showing that even still they are a

dangerous crew. ll' Hanna can be induced to remain with the team until the close of the season prospects should be bright for the reds. Varsity’s Narrow Win Owing to the vacation, Varsity had difficulty in getting together a suitable side to meet Eden. It was not surprising, therefore, that the blues were hard put to bring off their fixture with the formidable Edenites. Varsity’s trouble lay In Its half-line, where two new men were located. As individuals Ellison and Hunter were worth their place, but combination between the van and the half-line suffered on account of their inexperience. Taken as a whole, the game was evenly fought throughout. Eden got the better of matters for the first and last quarters, but the in-between stages were Slightly in favour of the blues. Greenbank’s goal for Varsity was the culmination of one of those famous bustling rushes for which the students are becoming noted. There is a care-free abandon about their hockey which is refreshing, because of its unconventionality. Outwardly, at least, the blue jerseys play hockey for the fun of the game rather than for any anxiety to win. Surman, right fullback for Eden, was at the top of his form, and gave the outstanding exhibition of back play for the match. Toovey, playing half, is a hard worker, and did the major portion of supplying his forwards with material for goals. Of the forwards, Fletcher, Postles, and Jansen were in the limelight, but the last-named nullified some opportunities by his over-indulgence in off-side play. Leftwing play requires a lot of watching, and as Eden was short of a goal, his over-eagerness was understandable. The browns were unlucky in not equalising toward the close of play, when some determined rushes were spoiled by wild hitting. HOCKEY RULE AMENDED STICK HOOKING FORBIDDEN N.Z. COUNCIL’S DECISION Advice has come to hand that the proposed alterations to rule 12 regarding the hooking of sticks in men’s hockey was adopted at a meeting of delegates to the Council of the New Zealand Hockey Association, held at Christchurch on Thursday evening. To-day is the la% occasion on which a player may hook another’s stick in order to secure the ball. Although the practice has been allowed since hockey started in New Zealand, it has apparently just been discovered that “the hooking of sticks may lead to questionable tactics.” The delegates from Auckland were strongly against the alteration, but were overruled. In order to carry the proposal it was necessary to suspend “for the 1927 season,” a clause of rule 16 affecting the constitution of the association, whereby it agreed to conform to the rules of the English Hockey Association.

Lcl Uic . A SECTION Goals. Ch. P. W. L. r>. P. Ag. pts. 8 Somerville 5 4 1 0 21 3 University 1 i 12 5 Mount Eden 0 Areta 2 i 12 14 Wesley . . 5 0 5 0 b B SECTION Goals. Ch. Somerville P. W. L. D. P. Ag. pts. Colts . 4 4 0 0 20 4 S Training: College 1 0 11 4 4 Epiphany University 4 1 3 0 4 15 Colts . . 5 1 4 0 7 19 2