AT A LOW EBB

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 129, 22 August 1927, Page 7

AT A LOW EBB

SATURDAY’S HOCKEY ROUGH GROUNDS: INFERIOR PLAY To fairly and adequately comment on the hockey seen at Remuera on Saturday, it would be necessary to start on the grounds, and then the weather. After that there would be little left to say. The grounds were little better at the close of the game than a well-cut-up stock paddock, and well directed shooting and fast play, featuring good combination, was practically impossible. Except for the secondary schools’ contest between the Hamilton High School and the Auckland Grammar for the Rankin Memorial Cup. there was little interest evinced in the games, and play was ragged and poor. The following table shows the positions of the teams in the Devonport Shield competition:

Somerville v Epiphany The final score of 2—o in favour of Somerville was little indication of the play, for the greater part of its contest with Epiphany. Throughout play was little more than a scramble on rough and slippery grounds. The Somerville forwards initiated many promising moves, which failed, in the circle, through lack of finish. When it came to close-ups both teams put in misdirected and erratic stick work. E. played perhaps the most progressive game in the Somerville front ane, while Baildon was seen to advantage in the halves. Creditable individual work was displayed by several of the Epiphany players at various times throughout the match, but Merryweather and Hewitt were perhaps the most consistent. Grammar Defeats Hamilton High By its handsome win by 6—l over Hamilton High School, Auckland Grammar retains the Rankin Memorial Cup for yet another year. The Grammar boys demonstrated an allround superiority over the challengers, and, on the general run of play, fully deserved their win. The standard of hockey was not up to that of former occasions, but the deplorable condition o* the ground accounted for the comparative lack of bright stickwork usually associated with college hockey. Slipping and sliding on the treacherous turf, the contestants had no opportunity of showing much science. The game was not by any means slow, nor was it as one-sided as the score might indicate. The Hamilton boys gave I the home side plenty to think about, hut faulty direction finding, and overeagerness in the circle, spoiled many promising movements. The Grammar eleven played well as a team, showing the result of careful coaching. The work of the forwards was attractive, a nd many pleasing passing movements were seen in the course of the game. Both teams displayed a fine sporting spirit, which reflects much credit upon the respective colleges and the coaches of the boys. Varsity's Rout of Wesley It was anticipated that Varsity would secure a comfortable win over Wesley, but it was not expected that the students would amass the overwhelming figure of 10—0 against the green jerseys. From the bully off the blues’ forward line controlled the game, which was little more than a debacle. Wesley’s team was not its usual eleven. a nd although several first graders were included there were enough juniors in the ranks to disorganise the side completely. The forward lacked combinaan<l showed little initiative. Now an ?u they looked dangerous, but nothing resulted from the few attacks that reached Varsity’s circle. Hume and Brown, at fullback, and Sheen, between the posts, were equal to any and had a comparatively "tal time. Wesley put up little show’ at defence. The half-line was the jnain trouble, and seemed equally useess at defence and attack. Frater nad to bear the brunt of the students’ incessant hammering, and acquitted himself with his usual cool judgment. v arsity’s vanguard had a merry ume goal-hunting throughout the encounter. Flushed with an easy vicLcry, they infused rare dash into their attacks, and, combining well, shot goal arter goal into Wesley’s ill-guarded net. there was nothing glorious about the

students’ big- win. They met with little opposition, and merely made the most of an easy day’s outing. Varsity Colts Succumb to St. Luke’s this match was one of the poorest senior displays seen at Remuera this season. To begin with, the ground was like a stockyard, so that the possibility of good stickwork was remote. Luke’s won easily by the score of 4—o after a willing scramble in the mud, and had the Colts beaten from the start. Neither team was 'up to second grade form, chiefly because of the state of the field, and secondly on account of so many juniors having to take the place of absent seniors. In the first 20 minutes Luke’s netted three goals, but from then on the students managed to keep the adverse score from going past four goals. Tom Giles, on the right wing, was responsible for three successful shots, and Darvill accounted for the fourth. Bay. at centre forward, had hard luck, and played a good game. Steel and Williams were safe at fullback, and kept the students from registering, although the Blues were unlucky in not scoring several times. The usual faults were apparent bunching and poor shooting in the circle. Bowell, at centre forward, was a good worker up and down the field, but unreliable in the danger one. Spencer, on the left wing, was disappointing, while Hubble, on the other flank, lacked opportunities.

Goals. P. W. L.. D. for as. Pts Areta ... 4 4 0 0 11 s .Somerville . . 0 0 16 6 I'niversity . . 3 3 0 0 24 6 St. Luke's . Somerville 4 2 1 1 9 7 5 Colts . . 2 1 0 3 4 Train. College 4 1 0 1 1 Epiphany . . 4 1 0 3 13 2 Wesley .... 4 1 0 4 IS Mount Eden . 4 0 4 0 3 IS 0 Univer. Colts . S 0 3 0 2 10 0