Hockey on Wet Ground

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 389, 25 June 1928, Page 7

Hockey on Wet Ground

SATURDAY’S GAMES COMBINATION LACKING Wet, slippery grounds proved a severe handicap to good hockey at Rcmuera on Saturday. Nevertheless, the standard of play shown by many individual members was good. Combination and general team work was lacking, however, and this led to much erratic and unfinished stickwork. In the Senior A grade. Varsity and St. Luke’s played a most interesting draw. North Shore caused somewhat of a surprise, defeating Eden by 2 goals to 1. Somerville proved too strong for Areta, the final score in that contest being 4 to 1. In the senior B grade Otahuhu scored a win over Epiphany by 2 goals 1° 1. Training College defeated Somerville Colts by 5 to 1. The position of the teams in the senior competitions is shown in the following table:

SHORE DEFEATS EDEN For the greater part of the time in the Shore-Eden contest play was confined to the Shore twenty-five. Eden was the aggressor throughout the game and, with a strong defence, allowed Shore little opportunity to retaliate. The Eden left back was particularly quick in clearing anything that looked like a dangerous move. The Eden forward line played a most strenuous game, and were seen working rather well together in several combined forward movements that mostly failed in the circle. The slippery nature of the ground made clean, quick work here difficult, and was responsible for much scrappy play in quick manoeuvres. The Shore team did not show the combination of its opponents, although the individual work of two or three of its members was at times most creditable. One of the outstanding solo movements of the day was given by Lucas, when he went right through and netted the second goal for Shore. One of the hardest-worked men of the Shore team was Rankin, in goal. This player saved his side time and time again. Somerville Downs Areta Good forward work and sound defence gave Somerville the victory over Areta by four goals to one. Areta, however, played a splendid, clean game, and went down with colours flying. This meeting of old rivals in the senior grade was hard fought, without a suspicion of roughness. Eric Watts played a good stick for Somerville. He can be relied on to make the most of opportunities. He made one or two fine solo rushes to the circle and had he been backed up as he should have been, the total of the winners would have been greater. Monro is an outstanding figure among the backs, and proves a sound defence in face of the hardest attacks. Wilkie, in goal, was the means of saving on several occasions for Areta. There were few moments in which the red head of Hughes could not be seen. Sweeney also plays a steady game. Carter shows a tendency to attempt too much alone, and even robbed Wells in runs up the field. A little cooperation between these players would be to the advantage of Areta. Wells’s method of sliding to a stop is more spectacular than efficient Hard-fought Draw Varsity and St. Luke’s fought a hard game to a draw on Saturday. The Blues were leading by three goals to one with only 15 minutes to go when Bay scored twice rapidly for St. Luke’s. Quick rushes the length of the ground left the issue in doubt until the final whistle. This was certainly the best game of the day. Varsity fielded a strong team, but had the misfortune to lose Brown at half-time, through a blow on the head by a hard-driven ball. His place was taken by Hay, a brother of T. Hay, right outside, who proved himself capable of playing senior grade hockey equally as well as his teammates. North swung a useful stick and Radcliffe proved a steady player. T. Hay was rather erratic and could improve his shooting. Butler, the Southern player, showed himself a valuable addition to the St. Luke’s team. He is a sound defence. Williams and Burnett had plenty of opportunity for showing their skill in clearing from the circle. Wynn, however, was weak in goal and threw an extra burden on these fullbacks. The game was fast and open during the last spell and was well worth watching.

SECTION A Goals. Clip. P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Somerville . . 7 6 1 — 23 7 12 St. Luke’s . . . S 3 1 4 18 12 10 University . . 7 3 2 2 24 25 8 Mount Eden . . 8 2 3 3 21 18 7 North Shore .8 3 a — !) 17 6 Arcta 8 1 6 1 12 30 3 SECTION B

Goals. Chp. p. w. u. r>. p. a. pts. Otahuhu ... 7 6 — 1 18 11 13 Upiphany ... 6 3 3 — 11 10 6 Training Col. .6 3 3 — 13 10 6 Somerville . . . 6 2 3 1 11 13 5 University ...5 — 5 — 7 16 0