SPIRITED HOCKEY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 733, 5 August 1929, Page 7

SPIRITED HOCKEY

SHORE turns tables on y SOMERVILLE

DEVONPORT shield games

Auckland hockey is upsetting the calculations of those who are valient enough to attempt a forecast of the matches week by week. The latest surprise was the failure of Somerville to defeat North Shore when on the latter's performance a fortnight ago the trans-harbour men should have been easy pickings. The game was a willing go, but entireiy free ot any unpleasantness, and was a very good exhibition from :he ■■allery point of view, even though the -urf was a sludge. The fixture was the first meeting in the Devonport Shield series, the first round of which was begun on Saturday. Tile students failed to come to light hv collapsing before St. Luke’s to the ei tent of 4—l. Mount Eden similarly found Epiphany easy meat, the scoreboard showing 4—o. NORTH shore turns tables By defeating Somerville, North Shore was able to avenge the thrashing it received at the sticks of the Whites a fortnight ago. For the good of hockey the victory of the men from over the harbour was opportune. The result is that the Devonport Shield series has started with the element of uncertainty that gives zest to a competition. Although Shore carried off honours by three to two, it must be acknowledged that Somerville had rather the better of the game and Shore owes its success principally to the remarkable goulkeeplng of Kankin. Not for many rears has so brilliant and cool an exhibition been seen in a club match. Time and again Somerville's inside three got within an ace of scoring, but the goalie’s stick, timed to a nicety, came into action at the crucial moment. Anything that Rankin can see. he can stop eight times out of ten. and Somerville's two goals were of a kind that only luck can block. None of the forwards on either side appeared to be much bothered by the slush, and Somerville did not lose because of the porridge. When Shore suffered the trouncing two weeks ago, playing conditions were almost as bad

as on Saturdays, yet goals werfi plentiful. The reason why the scoring was low was on account of the sound defensive play on both sides. Somerville's fullbacks were more confident, and played with more finish, but on the day’s showing Shore’s halves were certainly more reliable, both in the offensive and defensive aspects. Herein lay the Whites’ weakness, which was due to temporary disorganisation in this department. It is good to see that Scccombe is maintaining his return to old form. He was Somerville’s second scorer, the first being Clive Watts. Harold Watts as consistent as ever gave his usual unselfish services on the right wing. As has been suggested before, his method of play is one that budding wing men might well emulate. So many of the younger generation and even some who ought to know better forget that the primary contribution of wing-forwards is not to go grabbing goals, but to centre the material for conversion by the inside three. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule, and on many occasions the wing men are in the best position for a shot, and ought not to be denied. Still, all international authorities never tire of stressing it. Reid’s splendid goal that gave Shore the winning margin was an example of justifiable solo work. He took possession somewhere about half-way and, finding Somerville’s halves wandering, he had only the fullbacks to pass and they were in open order. Obviously it would have ridiculous to hand the ball over when the field was virtually clear. All the time he was bearing in toward the centre, and on reaching the circle was almo.st in the position of centre-for-ward. Shore’s vanguard, which was repaired by the return of Rykers, has rarely been seen to better advantage. Monteith is inclined to centre too hard, but plays unselfishly. Penman, who was no good in the forwards two weeks ago, made amends by very creditable play in the halves. The fixture " as a good sporting go and well worth witching. MT. EDEN’S EASY WIN Mount Eden came on the field against Epiphany with two of its strongest front-rankers missing, Chapbn and Horspooi. Nevertheless, it put U P a good fight to win by 4 goals to 1. There was little brilliant work at aay part of the game, the sticky nature °f the field proving too great a handithere were few dull moments. However, both sides playing a strong ng i tiner Same. Epiphany was weak in its front line Nicholson the only player show- } n S any outstanding stickwork. He initiated several very promising moves cn.y to fail through lack of support. /“• stick work of both sides was ■ auity in the circle. Baxter, in goal, and C. Mills, playing in the backs, p^ re Prominent in breaking up several attacks. Dewiss handled a very reditable stick among the halves, while Dunn was seen in a number of Sood solo efforts that might have come something worth while if greater support had been forthcoming, m the Eden team. Maitland played a r°ng fighting game in the backs, ably by Anderson. Vaile was rrvT ayS on the alert in goal, but was •ut given many chances to display his # 'nt. Kelly was one of the out- ■ players of the game, his stick°pk at times being of a verv high standard. Hughes, although not playha th Perhaps quite his usual sting, "andied a useful stick. H. Jones was tat Star scot 'er. being very quick to M advanta " e of an opening. * lr A. Playlo was the referee. ST LUKE'S BEATS UNIVERSITY in the first half of the game, UniDh^ ty had B,i Shtly the advantage. The but *? ras sl °"', thanks to the ground, r* It was steady, and both sides hard The Varsity forwards, mart** ky Meiklejohn, Seelen and Hon, a , 0 ®ome excellent passing rushes, !~ a 11 was all the St. Luke’s backs aid do to keep them out. Don l'nr d an outstanding game, never losihZ v ari , opportunity and following up Pall in a manner which, if the ex-

ample had been followed bv the V ir Siv! have gone far toward gi\ ing his side the victory. fi J? e S .V, Luke ' s men played slackly at hf®2’,. wlth a surprising lack o£ eombination. They were on the defensive V, le Br l f at I f r P art of the first half, and though the hacks worked well, the lf r n S V " henev . er they got hold of the ball, fumbled in a most lamentable way In the second half, though, the match speeded up and the C d ,° Practically what thev liked with the Varsitv defence The Play of the two St. Luke's wings, Lrace and TV otherspoon, was delightful to watch, and they were ably supported by T. and J. Giles. The University forwards went to pieces in the last quarter and could do nothing agamst the passing tactics adopted by the St. Luke’s men. It was, perhaps, not the best display that either oi these teams has given this season, but it was interesting and enlivened by spells of brilliance. THE WOMEN’S GAMES TWO EASY VICTORIES Both the women’s senior matches resulted in decisive victories, Wesley defeating Arawa by 10 to 1 and Mount Lden scoring five and Somerville nothing. The grounds were bad and neither of the games -was up to the usual standard of the women's play. WESLEY V. ARAWA "Wesley had a runaway victory against Arawa by ten to one. In the first half of the match Arawa put up a fairly good defence, and even initiat*. d some clever attacking movements, but in the second half its forwards could do nothing and the game degenerated into a muddy fight in the pool between the Arawa goal posts. Miss Simpson. Arawa’s centre forward. played what was possiblv the best game of the day. She led her forwards well in the first half, and played energetically and keenly, making several good runs on her own. The Arawa backs failed badly, especially in the second half, and the goalkeeper was too much hindered by mud and water lying in the circle to be able to do much. Miss Burton played a remarkable game for Wesley, scoring seven out of the ten goals. EDEN V. SOMERVILLE The work of the Eden forward line was practically the only worth while feature of the Somerville-Mount Eden contest. Played on heavy, slippery grounds, there was little fast play and much erratic hitting. The latter characteristic was particularly noticeable among the Somerville players. Play, generally, was uninteresting, with Mount Eden showing most of the initiative and holding play for the greater part of the time in Somerville territory. Miss Lowe and Miss Hamlin were particularly outstanding in the Eden front line. The backs displayed good team work and. generally, managed to cripple any Somerville attack before it became dangerous. The Somerville defence was good during the early period of the game, but went to pieces at the close. Miss Hoyle made several brilliant parries at the start, but at the finish was an easy mark for the opposing side. Miss Andrews played rather a good defensive game for Somerville.

Mr. G. Surman was the referee.