PERSONALITIES IN N.Z. SPORT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 613, 15 March 1929, Page 7

PERSONALITIES IN N.Z. SPORT

REE BROTHERS PLAY IN SAME HOCKEY AND CRICKET TEAMS—TWO HAVE WON AUCKLAND AND DOMINION REPRESENTATION.

Three brothers who belong to one of the best known sporting families in Auckland —Harold, Eric and Clive Watts —have done much toward the success of Somerville team in the Auckland Hockey Association’s senior competition and of Green Lane team in the City and Suburban Cricket Association’s senior A competition. Indeed, it w'as through the efforts of the trio that a Green Lane senior team was formed. It made its bow in senior B cricket after it had been struggling along with a junior team, and won the championship the first year. Then came promotion to top grade play and, after several seasons of varying fortunes, Green Lane is now running second in the Suburban Association’s championship and has established a name as the most improved and most promising team. As forwards for Somerville hockey team, the Watts brothers are valuable. Harold, the eldest, plays right wing, Eric plays centre forward, and Clive, the youngest, plays inside left. All are known as useful scorers. For four seasons past, Somerville has won the competition. Harold joined the club when it was formed about 1916 and his brothers linked up later. They soon moulded into a formidable line. Eric soon rose to representative

standard and he played for Auckland. Then he was chosen to play for New Zealand on a successful tour to Australia. All Black hockey players are respected by Australians, and New Zealand hockey is known for its quality. At the time Eric Watts was given his chance in important company, Clive was also gaining prominence, but he was not able to make the tour with his brother, although his chances were excellent. Four years after Eric had played in Australia, Clive, after playing brilliantly for Auckland as a forward, was included in another New Zealand team which startled the Australians. Since then, the brothers have been among the mainstays of Somerville Club. Then, only a few seasons back, came the Watts’s efforts to establish a Green Bane senior cricket team firmly. Many of tho Somervillian hockey players linked up and, even now, live members of the Somerville Hockey Club are prominent Green Lurie senior cricketers. Forward players at hockey, the Watts brothers are at their best I at batting in cricket. Eric and Clive have been responsible for not a few smart centuries this season, and they were included among the promising players named by Cox, the Sussex coach, before he 1 left for England. | And, only last Saturday, it was a

one-hand catch by Harold Watts, two minutes before stumps, which gave Green Lane an outright win against Ponsonby and stopped the Ponies from winning on the first innings. Harold Watts’s uexpected catch has also given Green Lane the most promising chance for second place to the well-seasoned Harbour Board team. So the rapidly increasing force behind the Green Lane Club is thankful that the Watts brothers are keen club members. When Eric and Clive switched over to Green Lane, Technical Old Boys’ Club lost two players who are among the best in their association.