HARD-FOUGHT HOCKEY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 371, 4 June 1928, Page 6

HARD-FOUGHT HOCKEY

LUKE’S AND EDEN DRAW NORTH SHORE ON UP GRADE Hockey history repeated itself on Saturday at Remuera, when, after a ding-dong clash in which the issue was always in doubt, St. Luke’s and Mount Eden drew for the second time tins season. In the first round, the scores were a brace to each, but in the second meeting a memorable struggle produced no score, an occurrence rare in club hockey. In the earlier stages, St. Luke’s forwards dominated play, and only the excellent defence of Eden kept the invaders out. As the game progressed, the maroon jerseys began to tire, so that in the middle stage honours were even. Gradually the pendulum swung the other way, and Eden began to be the aggressor, and toward the closing phase made things very warm for Luke's.

Only one other senior A grade match, North Shore v. Areta, was down for decision. It was played off as the earlv match on No. 1 ground. The former, playing with yet further confidence, and improvement, recorded their second victory of the season by downing Areta by 3—l. Quite a fair standard of hockey was exhibited, and the match was outstandingly clean and quiet. Mr. S. G. Holland, a Christchurch referee, and a member of the New Zealand Hockey Association, who watched the game, declared that it was of a higher quality than the average club match in his city. Only one game was decided in senior B grade, the fixture being the Otahuhu v. Somerville Colts match. The former emerged victorious after a hard encounter, resulting I—o.1 —0. University was to have met Somerville seniors, but owing to the absence of the students in Wellington at the inter-varsity tourney, the game was postponed. After the rains, the grounds were in a treacherous condition, and players found difficulty in keeping their feet. Notwithstanding the handicap, the contestants were able to make the games fast and interesting.

SHORE TOO GOOD FOR ARETA The result of the North Shore-Areta match, resulting in a win 3—l for the former, is convincing proof that Shore’s defeat of St. Luke’s on the previous Saturday was no isolated wonder. The eleven have shown a willingness to accept and put into practice advice tendered week by week, so that progress has been steady and impressive. Areta’s chief trouble was hesitancy on attack and uncertainty among the forwards. The blacks had their opportunities in plenty, but could not connect. Defence was weak in the fullback division. Hay and Gurney, though in fair form, did not partner each other in the manner the circumstances demanded. Peachey, with the pads on, was not confident of himself, and came in for a trying time. In consequence, the brunt of the enemy opposition had to be borne by the halves. Ashley, left-half, and Hughes, centre, did the work of Trojans. Pursuing his characteristic roving tactics, the latter worried the Shore forwards like a terrier, and seemed to be always on the ball. Sweeney, was least prominent of the trio, but performed his share to the best of his ability. His was no easy task in view of the fact that he was set to mark Reid, Shore’s dashing leftwinger. Shore’s van showed persistent enterprise, and toward the concluding stages began to make hay of the opposing defence. Reid was the chief thorn in the side of the Areta backs, aijd the speedy left-winger treated the gallery to several sensational runs down the line. Anthony, Rykers, and Lucas were all in form, and threw the ball about more freely than earlier in the season. James, right wing, though not yet up to the form of his associates, has improved steadily. His goal was the outcome of a good piece of stickwork from a rebound. Shore’s other scores came through the agency of Reid and Anthony. All three of Shore’s halves put up a creditable showing, Frater. the captain, being most conspicuous. Both fullbacks, Anthony and Parker, knew their business. The former was the more dependable. Rankin, in goal, yet again brought off some excellent saves. LUKE’S HELD BY EDEN No two teams could have been more evenly matched than were St. Luke’s and Mount Eden on Saturday. From the initial bully until well into the first session, it appeared as though honours would go to Luke’s, but the reds could not maintain the shock and bustling tactics they set out to employ. Instead, the forwards tired themselves, threw more than a fair amount of work on to the back departments, and lost their sting toward the closing stages. Mount Eden successfully withstood the heavy fire, and repeated the recovery that characterised their match with Somerville the week before. The browns have proved themselves a team of stayers, and one that is capable of springing surprises. It has to be said for St. Luke’s that the personnel of the team underwent yet other changes. Knowles appeared at inside left, and D. King was temporarily elevated to the halves, vice Williams, who was not available. The finest display of cool and welljudged fullback play of the day was the performance of the young players, Williams and Burnett. Robertson, centre-half, was also pleasing to watch, and seemed absolutely sure of himself. Steele gave glimpses of his former artistry at left-half. King was not used to the exigencies of senior hockey, but filled a gap with a useful stick. Knowles justified his inclusion among the forwards. Eden’s front line proved a difficult quintet to stop when in possession of the ball. Fletcher was always greedy for work, and had the co-operation of Chaplin in the centre. Ash continues to improve, and initiated some good movements from the right. The transfer of Kelly to the halves has strengthened that division considerably. He is missed from the forwards. Both Surman and Hedges, in support of the centre half, were valuable on defence, but should endeavour to play more toward their respective wing forwards instead of keeping the ball too much to the centre of the field. Mainland was again the mainstay of the fullback section. Vail effected more of his cool “hand” saves, to the delight of the grandstand.

OTAHUHU’S LUCKY WIN The best team did not win in this game on Saturday. Otahuhu secured the victory by a goal from a mad scramble in the circle a few minutes before the end of the game, but up to this point had been having the worst of the match. Only phenomenally poor shooting on the part of Somerville Colts gave the Blue and Blacks the victory. The game developed into an orgy of long hitting, the ball passing for a large part of the time from the fullbacks of one team to those of the other, the for-

Everitt played a sound defensive game for Otahuhu and rarely allowed a ball to pass. Xeild is good in goal. The Otahuhu team is still rather ragged and would do well to use more combination in the forward line.