LUCKY MOUNT EDEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 769, 16 September 1929, Page 6

LUCKY MOUNT EDEN

WINS FINAL OF HOCKEY SHIELD CONTEST SHORE TWO POINTS DOWN The Devonport Shield hockey competition terminated abruptly at Remuera on Saturday, when Mount Eden took final honours by defeating St. Luke’s. This year’s runner-up is North Shore, which by winning from Epiphany takes up second place two points below Mount Eden. The shield had been held by Somerville, which through a succession of defeats has been forced out of the running. The third senior match of the day was the fixture between Somerville and University, which resulted in a draw, three-all. Had St. Luke’s defeated Eden those teams and North Shore would have been level and the competition would have had to be continued for another two Saturdays. The way is now clear for the playing off of the Kent Cup games? and the season will end on September 28. The following table shows the final positions of the teams in the Devonport Shield competition:

SURVIVAL OF MT. EDEN

It 'was a very lucky Mount Eden which left the field the victor over St. Luke’s by the slender margin of I—o. On the general run of play, a draw would have been a more equitable finish. In the first half, Mount Eden was all over the red jerseys, but in the second St.. Luke’s rallied, and only hard luck and the splendid goalkeeping of Vail kept the ball out of Eden’s citadel. The game was hard, open, and fast, and was a battle of the forwards. Mount Eden’s combination in the vanguard was sometimes brilliant, and always above the average of club hockey. St. Luke’s forwards were ot as united, and most of the attacking was done by individuals. All things considered, the match was a very fair exhibition, but onlookers questioned whether it was up to the standard expected of a season's final. Taking the forwards as a whole, the outstanding performer was Chaplin, centre for Eden. During the last three matches he has been right on his game,' and was always dangerous in the circle, and clever in assisting to get there. Wellbourne was another good man, his stopping being reliable. Ash was tricky and useful. The Jones brothers were disappointing, and made far too many breaches, M. Jones in regard to the offside rule, and H. with “sticks.” Hughes was the best half, and Jenkins next until he had to retire hurt, and A. Horspool made a good substitute. Kelly was off colour in the first spell, dallying and playing with the ball, but picked up later. The fullbacks Anderson and Mainland were as steady and confident as ever, and ♦he latter has rarely been seen to better advantage. He should watch obstructions, however. St. Luke’s was disorganised owing to the absence of H. Williams and Jack Giles. Soon after the match started, a reshuffle took place, with satisfactory results. Grace and Burnett and Bay were the prominent players in the forwards, but the front line was slower on’ the ball than usual, and overrunning was a conspicuous fault. The halves and fullbacks were troubled by the tricky short passing of the Edenites, and it was often only the latters’ excessive crop of breaches that saved the red defenders. A number of corners went begging on both sides. Failure to do something with 5 these chances is frequently caused by the man who does the stopping for his mate to hit. He does not step back out of . the way so that his partner can get his hit in. Highfield, goalie for St. Luke’s, pulled off some pretty saves, and gave one of his best exhibitions of the season.

LAST-MINUTE VICTORY

Epiphany could not field its strongest team in the match against North Shore at Remuera on Saturday, but good tactics enabled an excellent stand to be made against the green and whites’ battering, the result being m doubt right up to the last whistle. Hewitt and Mills were absent, Cohen being brought up from a junior grade team to fill one vacancy. He proved himself well worthy of the choice From the bully-off North Shore was on the attack, pressing repeatedly around its opponent’s goal, but strong defence in the circle prevented high scoring. However, Reid, Rykers and Anthony were successful in each notching a point for Shore during the first spell. Epiphany proved dangerous on only two occasions, on one of which Johnson beat Rankin, in goal. After resuming, Epiphany’s tactics changed and Dunn, on the left wing, playing a splendid game, led the attack. Before Shore could break away again Nicholson and Dunn had scored. A few minutes before the game ended Reid shot a fast ball in. giving Shore the victory. The win was well deserved. The green and Whites have played consistently throughout the season, and the team includes several high-class players. On Saturday both Reid and Anthony were in good form, and Rankin proved a sound defence.

SOMERVILLE GETS DRAW

Three-all was the result of the meeting of Somerville and University. As both teams were right out of the Devonport Shield contest nothing hinged on the match. The teams were weakened by the necessitous inclusion of several juniors and the game was scrappy and for the most part dull. The half-time score was one-all. the goal getters being Don. of Varsity, and A. Rogers, of Somerville. The second spell was more interesting, two goals being added by both sides. Until almost the last minute Somerville was one up. Then Don lobbed a great shot into the corner of the net from a next to impossible angle. The. other goals were scored by Peace and R. Hunter, for Somerville. and Meiklejohn for the students.

NORTH OTAGO WINS

Press Association DUNEDIN, Saturday. In a ragged game before 1,500 spectators, North Otago defeated Otago B by 13 points to 8. Sumpter and Ross scored for the winners. Hunter converting one try and kicking a penaltv. Sutherland and Watts scored for Otago, Prebble converting one try.

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ing the honours, although even in this division the opposition was strong. On q, wet day the trend of the game would certainly have been different, but as it was, on a fast ground which saw the Marist rearguarders go away time and time again in swift and exacting passing bouts, City met classy opposition which it could never have expected to have defeated. There was a weak link in the City chain and Brisbane and Brady knew it well. It was at centre where McLaughlin was weak on both defence and the attack, more especially the defence. His tackling was unsound. POPULAR WITH THE FANS Halfback Shortland, who. in a mild way is a bit of a comedian on the field, and pleases the fans with his sometimes rather amusing antics, is gaining considerable popularity. He played a very sound game, although his passes from the scrum were sometimes too hard and swift for Perry to take in, and consequently some good moves fell down. Of the Marist rearguard, the old chain, Hassan, Gregory and Brisbane, was again invincible, while at centre Brady played a dashing game. Then another who possibly played one of his finest games of the season, was winger Batchelor. He made many fine runs and his tackling was always sure. Both packs of forwards played well. For City Pascoe and Clark were outstanding, while another pair which displayed its usual consistency and was always up with the play was Hamilton and Len Barchard. After going off a little, Moisley for the Tykes came back with a flourish and throughout played a very solid game, leading the van to attack on many occasions. And always associated with him in the hard play and dashing attacks, was Clark, the exNewton man.

P. W. L. D. Pts. F. A. Clip. Pts. Mount Eden 5 5 13 2 10 North Shore. 5 4 1 11 8 8 St. Luke’s . 5 3 10 5 6 Somerville 1 3 1 10 14 3 University 5 1 1 7 14 3 Epiphany 5 — 5 — 6 15 —