WATT STAGES A COME-BACK

NZ Truth, Issue 1293, 18 September 1930, Page 15

WATT STAGES A COME-BACK

PROVIDES "STIFFENER" FOR SOMERVILLE

MEET OLD RIVALS

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Auckland Rep.) "THE second round of the Devonport 1 Shield Hockey competition m Auckland saw the games played m Onehunga m. place of headquarters at Remuera. From a hockey point of view, the change was not a success. The ground was not m a condition conducive to a good exhibition m the more important matches, while by the irony of fate, the least important fixture was allotted the pick of the grounds. Hard hitting and fast following tactics predominated as a result, few players relying on a true running ball when attempting to gain control. Somerville and St. Lukes staged one of their old battles for supremacy under these conditions, and a fast game ended m- a draw, a result which was the best indication of the game. Some of the stickwork bordered on . the miraculous, especially on the part of Gardner, who had an uncanny knack of getting out of trouble — usually of his own making. Added interest m the duel between the two old rivals was occasioned by the presence at his old position of centreforward, of Eric Watts, who, m making a "come-back," demonstrated that he has lost little of his old skill. He certainly made the forward line, and it was due to his efforts that the Somerville team showed a glimpse of that form which enabled them to establish a record as consecutive champions for a period of five seasons. Mt. Eden and University, after seventy minutes of hard, and occasionally, almost reckless ' hitting, succeeded m ending without having scored a goal. In Aldridge, who fielded for Eden, the club have a junior well worth encouraging. In his first outing with the main team, the lad showed that his hockey is being developed on sound lines, and with a little nursing from his club, he should become a player of the first flight. University, who have suffered by transfers during the season, promoted Broun from their Whippets to fill the place of Hay at centre-forward, but it cannot be said that the colt was a success, his work being too' slow for such •a speedy line. . . On a comparatively smooth ground, Wesley and University Whippets provided a fast though uninteresting display. Wesley battled throughout with one man short, and made a surprising recovery during the second spell to completely gain the ascendency over the Whippets and score the only win of the day. After Waikato's defeat of Auckland a few weeks ago, about the first time Auckland's colors have been lowered by a Waikato team, little time was lost m arranging a return fixture. This Saturday Auckland and Waikato will again try conclusions, Auckland travelling to Hamilton for . the match.