HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 188, 11 August 1925, Page 14

HOCKEY.

The programme set down for decision Inst Saturday contained the second series ol matches for the Devonport Shield, ns well ns the contest of an lnterprovincinl nature. Canterbury visited Auckland In quest of the Znnol Cup. After the heavy rain the ground was slippery, and conditions were not favourable for good hockey. However, after a willing struggle Auckland just managed to retain the coveted trophy. After the debacle In Wellington local enthusiasts were rather timid about mentioning anything concerning hockey, so the Canterbury team which came ■North in quest of the Zaiiol Cup arrived almost unannounced. There appeared to be a certain amount of mystery about the match, or rather the date of the lixture, notwithstanding that it was arranged early in the season. The result of the game did not tend to raise the prestige ■of hockey damaged by the result of the Australian, match and the three disasters in Wellington to the senior representatives, although it demonstrated that the juniors had grit and determination In levelling up the score and retaining the trophy. Although St. Luke's wefe without the servk-es of Ilookham and Steele, it was anticipated that they would come through their engagement with Stanley successfully. Such was not the case, as the transharbour team played a game that not only extended them to the utmost, but for a greater portion of the second spell maintained a lead that caused St. Luke's no little anxiety, and was only overtaken in the closing stuges of the struggle. It could not be described ns a scientific exposition of hockey, but that could not be expected under the circumstances. Attacks were more the outcome of mistakes, and they often fizzled out, too. Both sides indulged in numerous sorties, but It was the Stanley defence which suffered most, as St. Luke's made several sieges, which compelled the defenders to seek safety in frequent corners, and at one stage in th eflrst spell three were awarded in quick succession. Stanley served up just as many onslaughts as St. Luke's, but they were not sustained to the same extent, being of the hit or miss varletj", yet there was more method in them. St. Luke's attack developed unexpectedly owing to errors and risks on the part of the rearguard of the, opposition, while Stanley advanced through the agency of the hnrd hitting of their backs and determined work on tne part of the forwards. Back play was of an uncertain nature owing to the difficulty in intercepting and trapping the ball with the stick. The Stanley forwards all grafted hard. Miller at centre showed out in loose rushes, while the wingers, Jones and Gregson, made good use of the latitude allowed them. Kobinson and Drought were the best of the halves, while Kankin hit to some purpose at full-back. For St. Luke's Howe countered mmiy onslaughts with speculators. Potter grafted hard and carried the principal burden of the defence, and also rendered good service in developing attack. In the forward line Williams and Carston were the pick. The game between University and Areta underwent a great change, ns both teams wore level, with one goal apiece, at linlf time, and ended in a victory fnr the students hy four goals to one as the result of improved play on the part of the winners. Throughout the game the students played with more cohesion than their opponents, but it was in the second spell that they asserted their superiority, and the forwards increased the goal crop as the result of better shooting and support by the middle division. Areta were without (he aid of R. Carter, but they battled along gamely, and not only 'kept the students at bay in the llrst spell, but also notched a goal just before' half time. For University Hume performed the better of the two full-backs. KadclifTe used his stick to some purpose at centre half. In the forward lino Clayton usually headed attacks. Burton played well in tin* open, while Thompson on the left flank wetted a couple of goals. In the Areta team Davis, nt fullback, bore his share of defence. The halves did not play up to form in the second spell. Ashley being the best, while Carter, Anthony and Ilaysou were the pick of the forwards.