HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 224, 22 September 1925, Page 13

HOCKEY.

END OF THE SEASON. The last scene at Remuera was a fitting termination to a busy season. True to tradition Somerville, winners of the championship, and St. Luke's, winners of the Kent Cup, figured in a contest which provided an excellent game of hockey. The play throughout was of a most open and exhilarating description, and although not free from flaws, was very enjoyable, and the limited number of spectators who journeyed to Remuera did not go away disappointed, notwithstanding that they missed the big inter-colonial attraction at Eden Park. Somerville, as the result of a splendid exhibition of forward play, gained a victory over St. Luke's by five goals to three. The Somerville forwards, as a combination, were at the top of their form, and almost every movement was masterly in conception and brilliant in execution. St. Luke's also 6howed that they were not novices in the art of attack, but it was really the halves that come in for the greatest amount of work, and they put up a gallant fight against odds, as they did not receive any material support from the full-backs after the opening stages had been negotiated. Most of the prophets agreed that the trophy would furnish a struggle of more than ordinary nature, and so it did, especially as St. Luke's gathered in a couple of goals early in the game, and it became apparent that Somerville would have to perform brilliantly to overtake the score. The game did undergo a great change, and the Somerville forwards, supported by a set of sound backs, knocked the ball about to the bewilderment of the St. Luke's rearguard, and onwards play was very fast and interesting. St. Luke's deserved to have scored once more at least but only a penalty corner resulted, whereas while their opponents deserved success there was a spice of good fortune seasoning two of their goals. Throughout the game play was of a sporting nature. Somerville quite removed the reproaches cast upon them, at times, during the season, and the struggle was quite free from incidents that have cropped up in previous encounters, when these two elevens have antagonised. On a ground that was inclined to be sllpppry after thp heavy showers, thp Somerville forwards displayed wondprful combination, and the majority of the movements were initiated by Seccombe, who gave his best performance of the season. Both C. and E. Watts played up to form, and were always dangerous. while they "plied" the passes and made the most of the opportunities. Simpson, at half-hack, appeared to have wonderful extension when intercepting. and checked many onslaughts unexpectedly with this method. Rogers played a uspfnl game, and supported his full-backs. Roberts proved the better of the two full-backs. He stopped well and his hitting was seldom at fault. Cooper did not have a great deal to do in goal.

St. Luke's attack mostly developed from long bits, and in the majority of cases lacked finish. Hookham was no doubt the pick of the line, and was well supported hy Carston. who had bad luck owing to being bumped in not scoring. Craig did good work at times at half-back. Steele was the most brilliant ln the early part of the contest, hut owing to increasing his burden by going to the assistance of a mediocre pair of full-backs was not so conspicuous in the later stages. Potter seempd endowed with an unlimited supply of energy, for he grafted hard and skilfully throughout the piece, in fact was the most consistent of the St. Luke's backs. Hanna received a severe pasting in goal and came through the ordeal with credit, notwithstanding that five goals were registered. LADIES' HOCKEY. ST. CCTHBERT'S AT WHANGAREI. The erirls' hockey tpam of the Whangarei High School defeated St. Cuthbert's College team by 3 goals to 0. For the winners Misses M. Hayes and R. Tibbets (2) scored. Sliss B. Dobbs notched a goal for tbe losers. The game was fast and open, both sides giving a good exhibition of team work.