HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 124, 25 May 1920, Page 9

HOCKEY.

Interest in the straggle for the premleruhip continues to grow, and notwithstanding the weather conditions, a record crowd for the season assembled at Remuera to witness the fourth series of matches. The chief attraction was the meeting of those two old rivals, St. Luke's and Somervtlle, and after a highly exciting game, in which the movements of both teams were accompanied by bursts of enthusiasm, the game was drawn, with two goals apiece. Although everything else was overshadowed by the contest between St. Luke's and SomervUle, the other two matches were by no means deserted, as the Mount Eden and Edendale extent of three goals to one, received a good deal of attention; and on the far ground University and Areta's followers were congregated to witness University defeat the blacks by a three to one score.

Bt. Luke's and Soraerville met on the ground In front of the pavilion. After the rain during the week, aud a heavy shower a couple of hours before the commencement, the turf was rather soft, and players frequently had some difficulty in keeping the perpendicular, just at critical stages. Nevertheless, It was a fast open game, full of incident, and hardly contained a dull moment. Although the conflict was drawn, without the least shadow of doubt St. Luke's had the 'better of the play. They attacked more frequently, and the onslaughts were carried out with more determination ihan that of their opponents, while they sent In far more shots than the SomervlUe Tan. Taking into consideration the state of the ground, the hockey at times was exceedingly good. On the form displayed this season St. Luke's were the favourites, hut notwithstanding Innumerable opportunities to shoot, they were unable to substantiate tpe advantage over their opponents, not actually on account or indlfferent shooting. Certainly a number of shots did go astray, but many were sent it fast and true, and it was mainly on account of the splendid work of Sonierville's last line of defence that St. Luke's failed to add to their goal crop. The game opened sensationally, »t. Luke's scoring almost Immediately, and then Souierville evened up brilliamiy arter a great run by Watts, and play had not continued much longer before Watts was la acain. No further score eventuated until towards the end. despite St. Luke's many attempts, and Somerville's sundry incursions; until Duncan found the net from a

corner For St. Luke's, Toeker in goal only made one mistake. Steele performed well at full back, but the pick of the rear division was McLeod, who played splendidly. Coutts worked hard, but roamed too much. Of the forwards, Duncan was the most prominent member, but Dickson and Mead also did well. Williams had not very much to do. The most conspicuous figure in the Somervllle defence was Cooper, In goal. He played brilliantly, stopping shots galore, and is i> strong candidate for representative honours. George and Munro were a very safe pair of busy full backs, althoush there was just a tendency to dally before making their strokes. The halves were only moderate, Munro being about the best. The forwards all grafted hard, bnt H. Watts was easily the best of the pack. E. Watts also did excellent work. I'eace made some good runs on the right side of the line. Another close struggle was provided in rhe encounter between Mount Eden ana Kdendalc, and U was not until the second spell that 'Mount Eden secured the upper hand. In the first spell Edendale did most of the attacking, but a faulty half line dlo not give the vanguard a chance to drive home tile attack. The Mount Eden forwards bunched too inucb. in the first spell, despite that the three half-backs were much in evidence. After the change over Sparkes, for some reason or other, dropped back, and left the attack to four forwards, who were at the mercy of the Mount Eden backs: King and 'McLeod a pair of steady full-backs, with the former more resourceful. Johns was the most consistent of the halves. Wheeler shaped best in the second spell. A. Alexander, M. Alexander, and Hankln proved the pick ol the forwards. -_»._» Fellow* accounted for a number of shots In defence of the Edendale goal. Both full-backs were in trouble with the Mount Eden forwartte. Preston, in the first spell, and Phillips, in the second, -worked hard in Che half-lino. Sporkes, while he -was there, played cleverly in the forward line. Palce and .Montelth grafted hard. Areta put op a game Ogbt with only ten players against University In the first spell, ■but later on *he students asserted their superiority. Sloman end Potter, were the best of'the- students' tacks;" end Waddingham ana Grice In the forward line, although the latter went too far before centring. For ATeta, England played one of his dashing games, while the halves performed much better than in previous matches, and Kobertsliaw was the most conspicuous of the forwards.