OLD HOCKEY RIVALS CLASH IN HARD GAME

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 395, 2 July 1928, Page 7

OLD HOCKEY RIVALS CLASH IN HARD GAME

SOMERVILLE DEFEATS ST. LUKE’S SHORE and varsity draw 4s tvas forecast in these columns, the * u m hockey match between the old rivals* Somerville and St. Luke’s, layed at Remuera on Saturday, ended after a keen struggle in favour of the former , . The clash had been eagerly awaited in view of the defeat of Somerville by

St. Luke's in the first round some weeks ago. At that time the Reds rose magnificently to the occasion and succeeded in downing the champions by 2—l. Since then, St. Luke’s has not fulfilled expectations suffering more craws and defeats than wins.

The triumph of Somerville on Saturday only goes to show that St. Luke’s >arlier success was a flash in the pan. There is no disguising the fact that the majority of followers of the game are disappointed in view of that fact that it was hoped that the championship aould this season change hands for the ceneral good of the game. NORTH SHORE V. VARSITY The meeting of North Shore and Varsity turned out very much as was anticipated. A draw was a very fair indication of the run of play. 'ln the earlier stages, Shore showed to advantage, but the students soon warmed up, and it was anybody’s game from then on. Mount Eden accounted for Areta. also in accordance with prophesy. The victor’s vanguard nonplussed the defence „f the blacks and showed more enterprise than the hardworking but still stolid losers. A week of intermittent rain had saturated the grounds and made the surface treacherous, precluding first-rate hockey. Despite the handicaps, players made the best of conditions, and from time to time some pretty hockey was exhibited. No girls’ matches were played owing to many members of senior teams being required to play in a special match for the selection of Auckland's representatives for the Country Week tourney. BRIGHT HOCKEY The largest assemblage of spectators that has turned out this season for a club match witnessed the battle between Somerville and St. Luke's. At times excitement rose to a high pitch, and the match allowed no flagging of the interest of onlookers. In the senior B section Otahuhu defeated University Whippets by 5 to 2. and Epiphany won from Somerville Colts by 4 to 1. SOMERVILLE TURNS TABLES It was unfortunate that the weather should have spoiled the playing fields for the return match between Somerville and St. Luke's. After the teams had been at work for a few minutes it was discernible that the standard of play could not. attain to that produced by the two sides in their encounter in the first round. Nevertheless conditions did not prevent the game being fast and exciting, and this time clean and open. The match showed two things: a marked improvement in Somerville's half line and a conspicuous deterioration in the work of St. Luke's forwards. In the former match Somervilles weakness lay in the midway division which was then playing with anything but cohesion and co-opera-tion. On Saturday the work of all three men was almost irreproachable. A marked improvement was shown in the operations of Cole, who has now struck something of his old form and pulled his weight and more. Rogers showed himself a good bustler. Although given many golden opportunities St. Luke’s attacking party seemed for the most part ineffective and off colour. Jack Giles and Bay were the only two who were really dangerous up And down field, but even they failed to take full advantage in the circle. Roth wing men, Hookham and Tom Giles, were ineffective and hesitant. Butler, inside right, gave the losers their only goal by a creditable piece of shooting, but he and Hookham did not combine adequately in passing movements. For the most part the shooting of the five was deplorable and not confident of themselves they seemed to be a squad of individuals instead of ft unity. The halves came in for a full measure of hard work and stood up well to the battering of Somerville’s van. Both fullbacks. Burnett and Williams, "ere sorely tried, and in view of the nature of the opposition were reliable ;! nd effective. Highfield, wearing the pads, was responsible for some clever saves. Credit must go to the Somerville fullbacks. Gardiner and Munro, who were *t the top of their form. Both were jmol and were obviously comfortable. They received due assistance from the alves, and the whole defensive syslem worked like clockwork. . fbe forwards. Eric Watts, centreforward, was outstanding. Ilis second soal was as fine an instance of lighting chance-taking as has been seen lor many a game. MOUNT EDEN DOWNS ARETA Mount Eden showed a marked suwnority throughout this struggle, but *“ ler s tde played hockey up to senior * , 6 . standard. Wild hitting and poor nibination can provide nothing but Poor spectacle at any time. . ■ cen tred principally in Areta’s r Jwhere Wilkie was kept busy f P ersis tent attacks. It was unlUnate that he was forced to retire anM atter half-time with a sprained g Ke> paving the black’s goal ermpty. the 6n hat * he remaine d the result of Same was a foregone conclusion. * * usual, Hughes played well for dan» ’ and he set in m °tion several j s movements. Savage, centre, rat " er slow and could do better. s .: e ,f ney was pulled up continually for game * commun failing in Saturday's £*den showed some quite good orditf I ** move nients, and with more comiein f on between forwards and backs Plav w form a combination. Vail men* a s P Ie ndid game, showing judgskill- Mainland ,too, weilds a ft °oa stick. back? erson - is P rof ninent among the fail ’ and his s bots in clearing seldom