HOCKEY SURPRISES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 347, 7 May 1928, Page 6

HOCKEY SURPRISES

LUKE’S COMES TO LIGHT EDEN FRIGHTENS VARSITY

Hockey at Remuera on Saturday provided several surprises in the senior grade. No one would have believed it likely that Mount Eden would extend Varsity and so that the students were fortunate in escaping with a 3-all draw. It was also expected that Somerville, last season’s champions, would trounce the newlyformed North Shore eleven. But it was not so.

The Whites had a hard run to score three goals, and although Shore did not score during the game Somerville had many anxious moments. Only alert defensive play kept the invaders from registering. These surprises were completely overshadowed by the result of the St. Luke’s-Areta clash. Though it was known that Luke’s would be a stronger combination this year than last, and that Areta had suffered changes in personnel it was expected that their meeting would produce a fairly even battle. Superior in all departments the Red Jerseys overwhelmed the Blacks, and finally marched from the field with half a dozen goals to Areta’s empty bag. In the senior B division play was not of a high order and ragged hockey was evident in all teams. Epiphany began the competition well by taking honours from Varsity Whippets in a 2-1 match. Otahuhu downed Training College by 2-0 in a willing encounter in which both sides mixed things with gusto. Play was fast, unscientific and productive of more whacked shins than goals. St. Luke’s v. Areta St. Luke’s great win over Areta indicates that the Reds will be serious contenders for this season’s championship honours. In view of the run of misfortune experienced a year ago by this side its remarkable recovery will be welcomed by all clubs in the grade. Luke’s has got together a formidable forward line and a very fast quintet it is. Saturday’s exhibition showed commendable combination, despite the fact that only two games have been played. Toni Giles, left-winger, was in fine fettle and gave his inside men many useful centres. His stopping was good and his stickwork crisp. His brother, Jack, centre-forward, who secured no fewer than four out of the six goals, was at the pinnacle of form. A great opportunist he was a constant anxiety to Areta’s goalie whenever h© got into the circle. The other three, Brown, Fitt and Hookham, though not able to score that afternoon were workers to a man. fchort passing tactics and wing to wing play executed with precision were refreshing to watch after the spectacle of disunited muddling seen in u previous match.

The presence of Steele, crack leftliall, back in his old place was responsible for added strength to an already useful pair, W. Williams and Robertson. Steele, always something o! a rover, but a sound one, announced liis return to the same by netting two characteristic goals. It lias to be said lor Areta that the side played one man short, also the appearance or new men upset combined pluy. Still, most ot the old hands were there and the heavy deteat seemed to be due more to the moral effect of three goals down in the lust session than to an inferiority suggested by the linai score. Xlie forwards had their chances, but were unable to finish oif in their opponents circle, further, the halves were unable to give the requisite support. there was too much individual piav in the forward line and when passin-' was attempted picking up was weak In consequence attacking movements brolfle down before they had not fairly started. Eden Harasses Varsity Auckland hockey prophets are alreuuy beginning to _ask: ■’What is wiong with Varsity this year v ” t'YA, tea ™ »ot a sharper shock on toaturday than did Varsity, when in a hotly-contested tussle with Mount laden, the students just managed to avert defeau, and had to be content with drawing 3-all. Though the Blues have not yet completed reorganisation ot their eleven, and were not workin*' in unison, that does not detract from Edeif° o<l exh ibition put up by Mount Not perhaps as individuals, but certainly as a combination, the forwards were markedly superior to Varsity’s vanguard. It was Kelly’s day out for Mount Eden. He was a constant thorn in the students’ side, and he missed few opportunities in the circle. I letcher and Ash were conspicuous and the three named were the best of a promising five. Surman, Hedges, and Jenkins formed a half-line which lent admirable support in attack, but in defence they were not so reliable. Mainland and Anderson, fullbacks, acquitted themselves well in the face of determined Varsity onslaughts, and their clearing in the circle showed the combined use of head and stick. Vail, between the posts, was severely tried on and off during the game, and repeatedly removed his side from danger. Unless Varsity can get some practice between matches, and come to an understanding in the forward division, the team will have to be content with a low rung on the competition ladder. Teamwork in the circle was deplorable. Many opportunities were thrown away through hesitancy and muddling. The half-line was anyhow, Radcliffe seemed to be the only man to play with confidence. Goodenough, left-half, played too near Radcliffe, and repeatedly robbed liis colleague. If it were not for the fact that University possesses a reliable —if not brilliant—pair of fullbacks in Brown and North, the team would have been whipped by Eden. Linton, wearing the pads, was not his usual self, and seemed to be fluky in kicking. Somerville Defeats Shore The newly-formed North Shore eleven, though handicapped by having no grounds on which to practice, is proving itself a good team. The changing personnel from week to week, as the numerous players from the marine suburbs are tried out, has prevented any great efficiency being reached. At present there is little combination, the team being merely a collection of good players. In Rankin, Shore has a reliable goalie. He emerged triumphant from the severe bombardment on Saturday. His play is not brilliant, but very steady. Reid, also, plays a sound game. The North Shore team is better on defence than on attack, and will need some practice before being able to compete on equal terms with others in the same grade. In Munro. Somerville has a sound defensive player. He repeatedly broke up dangerous attacks by Reid and P. Anthony, and by strong hitting cleared from near the goal.