HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 134, 9 June 1925, Page 8

HOCKEY.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The championship matches advanced another stage last Saturday, when the last but one of the set of matches in connection with the first round was completed. The greatest struggle was between Areta und Wesley In front of the pavilion, the game ending in a victory for Areta by three goals the extent of half-a-dozen goals, while St. Luke's just managed to defeat Mount Eden by two goals to one.

After the display o£ Stanley In their match ■with University, nobody expected them to turn the tables on the leaders in the competition, or even repeat the performance of Wesley on the previous Saturday, when the latter checked Somerville's sequence of successes. Still it came as a bit of a shock to be so badly routed by Somerville. Stanley lined out a re-shuffled team. White was absent, and Vaile was allotted his position, while Harvey filled the position at centrehalf. Gregson was shifted out to the left wing, while E. Chaplin took a place at inner left. Somerville, of course, lined out as usual. In the first spell play was of a ragged order, Somerville attempting to break through with their characteristic attack, which frequently broke down owing opposition a chauce of clearing. Stanley's advances were mainly the outcome of hard hitting, and in their efforts failed even worse than their opponents, and at halftime Somerville led by two goals to nIL It was not until they changed over that Somerville got the measure of the ground, and as the result of clever and rapid combined work completely disorganised the defence of Stanley, and added four goals. It was smart, spectacular work at times on the part of the Somerville forwards, and was not confined to any particular quarter, but the whole line participated, and it would have required more than an ordinary set of backs to have set up a sufficient defence. With the forwards taking such a prominent part in the decision of the game, the backs showed an inclination to ease up, but a few sorties by the willing members of the transharbour team put them on their mettle, and they came through without their goal being taken. From an attacking point of view the shifting of Harvey to centre-half caused considerable weaknese, notwithstanding that several good movements were conceived from the right flank. It was from the left that Stanley lost opportunities to make ground, which proved their principal source of scoring in their last match.

Cooper accomplished all that was required as custodian for Somerville. Baildon was the safer of the two full-backs. Simpson, at centre-half, hit with judgment, and checkStanley. In the second spell the whole of both wings showing Improved form, but Seccombe and E. and C. Watts were the

For Stanley it can be safely stated that Vaile's experience as a goal-keeper is limited, however, his Brst effort was most spectacular. Both full-backs, Rankln and Saunders, speculated with varying success, but there was no mistake when they did connect. Drought was the cleverest of the half trio, and executed good stick work. Robinson fielded the ball well in the second half. The full-backs could easily take a lesson in this direction. Harvey showed that he could use his stick, but wandered badly. Jones, on the right wing, was about the only forward to adopt tactics suitable to the conditions. Miller and Chaplin worked hard.

The contest between St. Luke's and Mount Eden, once a struggle of no little importance, was consigned to the ground on the opposite side of the pavilion, where operations eventuated under unfavourable conditions owing to the state of the turf, which had not fully recovered from the play on the previous Wednesday. St. Luke's won by two goals to one. but there -was little difference between the two teams on the day. The former scored the only goal in the first spell, while after the change over a goal was secured by both sides.

St. Luke's forwards again demonstrated that they have not yet acquired the art of goal scoring, and it was mainly the backs who were responsible for the side coming out victorious, notwithstanding that both full-backs took many risks in speculating The middle division bore the brunt of the work, and here they were well served by Steele and Potter, while Williams also shaped well. In the forward line Hookham was outstanding. Menzics proved a reliable custodian.

The Mount Eden team played a came of an even nature. Alexander and Giles were the pick of the forwards, while Brown played by far the best game in the back division. Jnrman made his reappearance for Mount Eden. and. judging by his display, should not be long in regaining top form. Rankin was busy in goal, but with few exceptions the situations were not marked by any great degree of danger.