MUD BESPATTERED HOCKEYITES

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 69, 13 June 1927, Page 11

MUD BESPATTERED HOCKEYITES

GOOD INDIVIDUAL PLAY EXCITING CONTESTS Slipping and sliding, falling and sprawling at all angles over the field, players at Remuera on Saturday, considering the state of the field, gave a splendid exhibition of hockey. In fast movements necessitating quick manoeuvring most players found it almost impossible to keep their l'eet, and at the end of each contest were covered with mud from head to foot. Combination at times was not the best, but individual play was good. POSITION OF TEAMS The following table shovTs the positions of the teams in the senior competitions: —

VARSITY AND ST. LUKE’S DRAW What proved to be one of the best ■ and most exciting battles fought at Remuera this season was staged between Varsity and St. Luke’s, when an encounter full of incident and brightened by many a flash of superb combination ended in a draw—-which is just as it should be —each side collecting two goals. Varsity fielded a strong eleven, several of the number having returned from the tournament flushed with success and improved by the experience. Both teams were without the services of its regular goalie, the veteran Hanna, of St. Luke’s, being replaced by Highfield and Steen, of Varsity, yielding place to Linton. However, both the new men proved worthy of their trust, - the Luke’s custodian performing particularly well in the face of heavy odds. Back in his old place at right half for the blues, Dr. Leonard gave a sterling display of stiekwork actuated by brains, while Radcliffe next door to him was his usual roving remarkable self. In spite of the treacherous state of the grounds the game was discussed at a hot pace from initial bully to final whistle and although a lot of slipping and sliding was unevitable the match was highly spectacular from the pavilion. The first half ended heavily in favour of the reds, with Varsity two goals down. Although play was rather more in Luke’s 25 than in the blues’ territory sound finishing work by I-lookham, Bay, Giles and Co. in their opponents’ circle produced a brace before the students got going. After the change round Varsity had matters practically its own way, and although Luke’s made a few break-aways the students kept up a battering offensive which enabled them finally to equalise. A little less anxi’ety might have seen them pull the game out of the fire. No doubt the two-down feeling coupled with the desperate haka-ing of J. Nigel W and associates from the grandstand had something to do with the reversal of the fortunes of war during the latter half of the game. Although some players outshone their team mates there was not a “dud” on the field. Seelen and Greenbank were the best of Varsity’s van; they were associated in many pretty passing rushes and sheer bad luck nullified what appeared certain goals. Hume at fullback, and his partner, Brown, were as sound in defence as they were brainy in attack; Barrett at left-half fed his forwards well and was safe when attacked. Luke’s forward men were brilliant when they got their share of the ball, but during the last half they went hungry owing to insufficient feeding from the half outsides, Robertson and W. Williams, the latter being off colour and supplying too many free hits for the students. Hookham, Boy and Giles were the star forwards, although the last named got off-side too frequently. Steele was not quite up to form, being troubled by the stodgy ground. A. Williams and Mills were hard put to it at full-back, but both acquitted themselves admirably in the faco of heavy odds. SOMERVILLE BEAT EDEN The slippery state of the ground proved a big handicap to Somerville in their contest with Mount Eden. Time and time again throughout the match displaying splendid combination they assaulted the Eden circle, only to be repulsed right at the goal-mouth. Twisting and turning in the mud it was difficult to get in a well directed shot which carried any weight. The whole Somerville front line displayed splendid combination throughout the game and their half line, in which Cole in particular was prominent, gave a most creditable exhibition of heady hockev and fed the forwards well. Individual play among the Edenites was of a high standard and. despite the state of the ground, was above the standard generally expected of this team. Considering the fact that two of its members were absent on the sick list and their places were occupied by juniors, Eden put up a very creditable performance The half line in particular was outstanding, while Kelly’s hard hitting in the backs was responsible for the breaking up of many dangerous assaults on his team’s circle. Hedges, ably supported by Jenkins and Drought, played a great game. Jansen was the most prominent forward, and there were times when this line displayed a standard of hockey that surprised even its own supporters. Lack of combination pfoved Eden’s downfall, and in the second half Somerville found the net four times. C. Watts scored one, while E. Watts • was responsible for the other three. FAST KEEN HOCKEY Under the circumstances a surprisingly good standard of hockey was revealed in the Wesley-Areta contest. On the slippery ground neither team made a feature of combination, but

individual play was good, and fast and keenly contested hockey was exhibited. Until half-time, though the ball was kept in motion up and down the field, neither side could make an impression Wesley’s strength was in its defence. Lucas in goal played a great game, while A. M. Burton, supported by Prater, intercepted many a formidable attack.. In the half line Chappell proved a battler and his hitting was hard and calculated. Hailwood in the forward line was always in the van where fast and keen play was wanted, while A. B. Burton, Fitt and Oldham all gave creditable exhibitions of heady stickwork. For Areta, Ashley gave a splendid exhibition of hard hitting and calculated stickwork. Wilkie proved worthy of his place in goal, while the two backs, Davis and Archer, also played a fair game. The forward line was undoubtedly responsible for the team’s win. Ably supported by the Carter brothers, Hayson, handling a sure and well-directed stick, gave a splendid exhibition of hard hitting in the circle. Rykers was keen and prominent in attack, while Ormsby also justified selection. Hayson was* responsible for both Areta’s scores. SOMERVILLE COLTS SUCCUMB TO TRAINING COLLEGE For the first time this season Somerville Colts have fallen a victim to another side in the senior B grade by losing to Training College by the unmistakable figure of 3 to 1. With all the advantages of mid-week practice, the College men were superior in the back diivsion particularly, while the forward line had plenty of dash, with Hayr responsible for two nettings and Tizard one. Col. Preston secured the Colts’ only success. VARSITY COLTS HAVE A WIN An unexpected happening was the defeat of Epiphany by University Colts in the senior B section by 2 goals to jl. A much improved standard of play j was demonstrated bv the students, par- , ticularly in the middle and back departments. Epiphany was fairly good in the backs, but only mediocre in the forward line. Law was the best at left wing and his clever back stroke goal was a bright piece of work. Mills, on right wing, sent across some good centres, but more often than not these were bungled by the inner units of the van. Taken as a whole, the match was not good hockey, but the state, of the ground may have had something to [do with it.

SECTION A P. W. L. Goals Cli. Somerville 5 1 0 Areta 7 4 2 1 17 14 0 6 3 1 2 St. Luke’s . . . 7 Mount Eden .. . 7 3 4 0 Wesley 7 0 7 0 3 26 0 (gfr SECTION B P. W. L. T>. Goals Ch. Somerville Colts . 6 5 1 0 Training College 4 3 1 0 14 5 6 University Colts 2 4 0 Epiphanv 6 1 5 0 5 19 2