An Evicted Family

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 339, 26 April 1928, Page 11

An Evicted Family

Hockey Players Prepare To Enjoy Last of Remuera NEW TEAMS IN SENIOR GRADE TO discuss prospects for the 1928 hockey season seems like advising- an evicted family to make the most of the last few hours it will enjoy in its ancestral home. Not knowing where to turn for accommodation at the end of its short respite, the ever-growing family of hockey players is, as it were, gathering for a last evening round the piano before it is outed to go nobody knows where.

Though gloomy clouds are rapidly making their appearance on the hockey horizon, and discomfiting thunderings are heard on every hand, the sky overhead is blue for a while at least.

In short, Auckland hockey has been graciously allowed the use of the Remuera grounds for the duration of the winter months and clubs are not going to meet tlieir communal trouble half-way. While the number of teams scheduled to take part in this season’s competitions had decreased by two compared with the number which turned out last year (statistics are 40 and 42 respectively), the senior grade has gained one team, and hockey in general, one club. The newepmer is the North Shore Club, resuscitated after having been apparently defunct for several years. It is welcome. The number of teams in each grade, last year’s figures in parentheses, is as follows: —Seniors, 11 (10); seconds, 8 (9); thirds, 8 (9); fourths, 6 (8); fifths and secondary schools, 7 (6). Contrary to anticipation among players, the executive has again allowed a senior B grade section. It is understood the committee was not unanimous in its decision. Senior A grade comprises six sides —Somerville, Varsity, St. Luke’s, Areta, Mount Eden and North Shore. B division is made up of Somerville Colts, Varsity Whippets, Epiphany, Otahuhu and Training College. Changes in the lower grades are not numerous, and no new clubs have come forward in the junior divisions.

TEAMS AND PROSPECTS Somerville seems to have suffered fewest changes in personnel, only two alterations being recorded in the senior A eleven. This year the white jerseys will be without the services of A. who has gone to settle in

Canada, and H. Roberts, the full-back, not at present available owing to illhealth. R. Munro will be given a chance in the position of the latter, and “Mick” Peace is promoted to the responsibility of left-winger. Otherwise the champions remain as last season. In the Colts, Hunter has been elevated from the thirds to fullback. The other back and the goalie are unaltered. C. Smith, late of the Auckland Grammar School eleven, is to appear at centre-half. C. Edwards and S. Crocker have also been given promotion from the third grade to the vanguard. Somerville is able to field a team in four out of the five grades. Varsity is in the same flourishing condition. The students have to record a number of changes in the complement of both senior teams. The A division will have to be largely reconstructed. Greenbank, valued right-winger, is away in England. Miller also is not available for the front line. Dr. Leonard, one of the best halves playing last season, is in Edinburgh pursuing his studies. Dr. Barret has accepted a lectureship in Otago. Plume, a pillar of defence in the full-back locality, has had to retire from the game os a result of injuries received last year, and Steen, though he has taken up the responsibilities of club captaincy, will not be able to take up his old place between the posts. Good substitutes, however, are offering, and the depleted ranks will be replenished from old Grammar boys and a man or two from Training College. Tizard, who has played sound hockey for the teachers, is to make his debut for Varsity as right-wing. Linton, who has gained some reputation as a goalie, will wear senior pads. Ellison later on is to be given a place in the half-line, and Don, formerly, of

the white jerseys, is to swing his stick at centre-forward. The Whippets, socalled in differentiation from the Somerville Colts, are at present not a permanent eleven as positions have been allotted In several cases mainly on trial. _ . Wesley is not able to enter a firstgrade side this time. It is a pity, as the greens were great triers last season. Otahuhu, winner of the second j grade championship, is to have a step higher. HOW OTHER CLUBS FARE St. Luke’s, as game a club as ever played hockey, is feeling fairly confident this year. It is to be hoped there will not be a recurrence of the unfortunate senes of accidents which, at the commencement of the previous season. denuded the senior team of several of its best men. It had been hoped to have the services of J. Fitt. Wesley's fast centre-forward of last year, but the player is leaving Auckland for Hamilton. Senior ranks will be augmented by two or three players from lower levels. Mount Eden has a number of promising players, and should be able to field a formidable eleven in the senior A department. Areta is a bit behindhand in getting under weigh, and financial difficulties have been encountered, but the club will no doubt rise to the occasion. Wesley, too, is struggling bravely along. Several changes have to be recorded. Fra ter has joined up with the new North Shore Club, Fitt, as stated, is elsewhere, and Sparling will turn out for the students. Epiphany, pioneer of the game, is again found in senior B division. This club is fielding a second eleven, but is not represented in other' of the junior grades. North Shore has obtained the services of Rankin, as custodian, who played for Epiphany last year. Two of Areta’s senior men have also | seceded. They are W. R. Hayson and P. H. Anthony. D. J- Reid, who has

had a turn at Rugby, has also thrown in his lot with Shore. Practice games held already iodi cate keenness in every club to gtet to grips with old rivals. To-morrow should see some fast games If the ground is not marred by rain. The students are unlucky in being matched with Somerville in the first match of the season. The blues have not had time to co-ordinate their team, whose play must suffer in consequence of »o many changes, but Somerville la reported to be in good form. It looks as though the defeat inflicted upon the whites in the opening game of last season will be returned, but no battle, is won until it is finished. I

TO-MORROW’S TEAMS Senior Grade Somerville—B. Cooper W. ardneL RMunro. E. Rogers. N Haggett G Cole, H. Watts, A. Seccombe, E. Watts, G. H. W.lHams, N Burnett. Steele, Robertson, W. willanw. Hook ham. Bay, Giles, Fitt, Giles. Universty.—Linton, North, Brown. Smith, Radeliffe. Watson, R. Tiaard, Seelen, Don. Hamilton. Philpotts. Mount Eden.—Vailt. Anderson. Surman. Hedges. Chap’in. Gemmell. Ash Fletcher. Kelly, Cole, Penman. Senior B Grade Somerville —X. Chit lin. R Hunter. <} Gutry, C. Taylor, C. Smith, C. Gutry. C. Preston, D. Munro, C. Edwards, C. Sawyer. S. Crocker. University.—Alexander, Burnett, Leonard, Storry. Mather, Noake#. Hay. Adams. Lamb. W. Taylor. Spencer. Second Grade Somerville—W. Butler. R. Moor. C Moore. 11. Smith. W. Heard, R. Barker. J. Taylor. B. Craig. D. Maxwell. L. Edwards, H. Skinner. St. Luke’s.—Franklin. Coutts. T. Clark. Vipond. D. King, W. Burnett. J. Kins. Cawkwell, Craig. Brown. Grace. University.—Palmer, Forsyth, Chambers. Towers, White, Broun. Hubble. Carter, Blake, J. L. Wilson, Brodie , thony, Jones, Jenkins. Jansen. Emergency: McCullock. Epiphany.—G. Long, E. Michel. A. K Jewiss. A. Blanchfield. F. Blair, L. Davern, W. Smith, A. Liddell, L. Walker, J. Ellison. Elliott. B Ahlfeld. Wesley.—lreland, Goring, Clark, Gat land. J. Chappell, Densem, Silvester. A B Burton, A- M. Burton, K. Slaney. Oldham. Third Grade University A.—Straubel. Matheson. Jones, Tizard. Ch&ppell. Markham. Robins. McDowell, Brown, KifT, Woolcott. Bond. Warin. _ University B.—Lidgard, Smyth. Whitlev. Fitzpatrick. Vallanee, Utting. Grant. Aubin, Houchen. Knight, Smith. Willoughby. Mount Eden.—Schofield. Dee. Wilson. Learning. Browning. Roger?. Reid, Palmer. Clark. Harts home. Munro. Epiphany A.—Vina.ll. Mulholland, Fleet. H Wallis. Altken, Arnold. Bond. Crabtree, A. Chappell. Hossfall, Williams™ Emergency: F. Wallis. Epiphanv B.—McDowell, Blight. Court. w G. Parker, J. W. Parker, Dickens. A. Carr. Leadley, Simpson, Draper. KayllWaitemata. —Cooper. Roberts. O. Patten. Sapsworth, Mailman, W_ Schorman. Riley. C. Patten. Walton. Johnson, BelI worthy. •