FIRST-CLASS HOCKEY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 359, 21 May 1928, Page 6

FIRST-CLASS HOCKEY

ST. LUKE’S J’OPULAR WIN HOW SOMERVILLE FAILED The best thing that has happened in Auckland hockey in recent years was the defeat of Somerville seniors by St. Luke’s on Saturday afternoon. It has been felt for some time that Somerville has had things its own way too long for the general good of the game. For a long time the Whites have held sway over all-comers; they have simply been too good. The team had become, until this season at any rate, almost a machine. It seemed that the champions of five successive seasons would remain at the top for another five. It is therefore gratifying that St. Like’s, respected rival of old, should have thus succeeded in raising a powerful side from the ruins of the club last year. Although it is too early let to proclaim that the championship will change hands, Somerville and St. Luke’s are so well matched that a change is well within the bounds of possibility, and henceforth added interest will be shown in the game. It was inevitable that -with the score so close the game should be hard. The lively play which characterised the second session was only to be expected, and the unfortunate incidents which marred the game were the outcome more fo anxiety and tension than deliberate intention. The aleged striking of Robertson by C. Watts, of Somerville, will doubtless be looked into by the association. The clash between Varsity and North Shore on No. 1 ground at two o’clock was a closely-fought encounter and of a fair standard. Mount Eden quite over-ran Areta in a match that produced a fair degree of science but not much public interest. ST. LUKE’S DOWNS SOMERVILLE Not for many a long day have supporters of hockey been treated to such a tense and thrilling battle as that staged by St. Luke’s and Somerville on No. 1 ground. From the first bully to the final whistle the game was hotly disputed. It was a great contest of forwards, each side possessing a formidable invading squad. Taken as a whole, St. Luke’s front line was the more enterprising, but it carried a passenger in the inside-left man, Kelley. There was no doubt, too, that the Reds were the faster combination. The two goals came from the sticks of Tom and Jack Giles, both at the top of their form and as dangerous a pair within striking distance as any of the best now playing hockey. The fast legs and reliable sticks of Hookham and Fitt enabled the Reds constantly to break through. Hookham was well marked and this hounding kept him from scoring. In the half line also Luke’s were superior. Steele, left-half, gave a clever exhibition of tricky stick-work and considered hitting. Robertson, centrehalf, is developing well, and has the makings of a first-rate player. He would do well to moderate his hitting, being too prone to slog for slogging’s sake. That he got knocked about was the result of courting the attention of Somerville’s forwards in this way. Both fullbacks, Williams and Burnett, were in great form and did all that was required of them. The latter did a silly thing in upsetting Eric Watts when the Somerville man was about to shoot. The goalie, Highfield, was in excellent fettle, and treated the spectators to a delightful display of stopping. The moral effect of being one down at half-time had something to do with the defeat of the Whites. Further, the bustling tactics employed by the opposition proved a new experience and obviously disconcertign. All departments were more or less rattled and the half line was anything but confident. Of the forwards Clive Watts, Eric Watts and Seccombe did most of the work. The wings, Peace and Harold Watts, were not effective and constantly fell foul of Luke’s half line. Fair work was executed by Munro and Gardiner, fullbacks, but the short passing of the enemy had them baffled. Chiplin, between the posts, had a most unenviable time and showed up as .well as any could have done in the circumstances. Mt Eden’s Decisive Win Fast, open play by Mount Eden and Areta provided an entertaining match. Splendid combination and confident forward work gave the Purple and Browns a decisive victory by 6 goals to 3. This was a delightful match to watch. The progress of the ball from stick to stick could be followed clearly. The scoring rush generally began on the right side of the field, the ball passing from Jones on the outside to Ash, Fletcher, Kelly, and finally to Penman, who scored. Short passes in the circle forced the ball past the solid defence put up by Wilkie who proved himself a sound man in goal when his attackers were not too numerous. . The Mount Eden men are clever at stick work and are good speculators. Mainland, right fullback, has a good grasp of the finer points of the game. Jones, Ash and Penman are all useful players. The Areta forwards had not the combination of the Mount Eden team. It was regrettable to notice unnecessary instances of obstruction and pushing. After the interval Areta changed tactics and attacked hard, driving Mount Eden back by surprise and allowing Savage, centre, to score. The same movement was successful a few minutes later, but this time it was rather by good fortune that fine play that Savage again netted from a melee in the circle. Hughes originated a number of promising movements and played a good all-round game. Epiphany’s Poor Showing Very mediocre hockey was played by both Somerville Colts and Epiphany in their match on Saturday. At no stage was the game up to the standard expected of senior grade players. Epipmany would make a much better showing if the players concentrated their attention on hitting the ball and not on arguing with the referee and among themselves. There are four or five good units among the Yellow' and Blacks, but there is no team spirit. Combination seems a secondary consideration, and as a result the forw'ards show* lamentable weakness and an impossibility to achieve any stability in goal-getting. The fullbacks, three of the Mills family, are generally to be relied on, although the player on the right could brighten up a bit. Play by Somerville Colts was quite fair in the first half, but showed a decline after the interval. Munro, right outside, shows good speed, and an ability to put the ball where it can do most good. His goal was well earned. Edwards is a useful man and a consistent scorer. Varsity Extended by Shore The meeting of Varsity and North Shore was a closer struggle that the score of 4—2 in the students’ favour would indicate. From the outset the game was vigorously disputed and play swung up and down field in merry style until half time, when the score was 2 all. After the change-round the Blues gradually wore down their opponents and notched two goals while the others were unable to add to their account.

A feature of the match was the goalkeeping of Rankin, wearing the pads for Shore. He seemed to possess an uncanny anticipation and repeatedly kicked clear to the delight of the “gallery.” Varsity's vanguard still showed lack of finish in the circle and bunching and robbing were too much in evidence. But taken as a whole the team has improved as a combination. It is appar-

have to be content with a low place on the ladder this season. North Shore has shown itself a great team of bustlers, but finesse is lacking. Of the forwards, Reid, P. Anthony and Rykers are generally in the limelight. The back divisions are sound and mediocre in turn, but are not consistent. Taken as a whole the side has shown marked improvement since the first match of the season. The following shows the points gained by the senior teams to-date:— A SECTION

St. Luke's P. 4 W. 3 D. L. — 1 Goals Ch. F. A. Pts. 13 6 7 Somerville 4 1 — 14 4 6 Mt. Eden 4 2 14 8 G University 4 1 2 1 11 15 3 Areta 4 1 3 — 6 17 2 North Shore . * — 4 — 2 12 — B Otahuhu . . . . SECTION P. W. D. L. 4 3—1 Goals Ch. F. A. Pts. 12 S 7 Train. College 3 1 — 6 6 4 Somerville 1 1 1 8 7 3 Epiphany .. .. 3 1 2 — 2 University 3 — 3 — 6 9 —