HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 134, 8 June 1926, Page 9

HOCKEY.

CLUB COMPETITIONS.

NOTES ON THE GAME.

The first round was finished with the exception of the match between St. Luke's and University, which was postponed, in order to allow the University team to proceed to Wellington to take part in the inter-College tournament a week ago. Out of the four matches playe.l last Saturday, two were closely contested, while the others were lopsided encounters. Although Somerville had experienced a couple of close calls their sequence of successes were uninterrupted until the last match. University, after a particularly closs and exciting game, succeeded in drawing with last year's champions, the score being two all.

Mt. Eden just managed to beat the Somerville Colts by 3 goals to 2. Areta secured an easy victory over Wesley, winning by seven goals" to nil, and, as expected, St. Luke's had no difficulty in adding two points at the expense of Stanley, winning by seven goals to one. SOMERVILLE V. UNIVERSITY.

The congest between Somerville and | University provided a very keen and i interesting struggle of an exciting and exhilarating nature, especially in the second spell, when both teams fought strenuously for the lead. The Somer-1 ville half-line was strengthened in the ! centre by shifting Cole from the right flank, but it was soon evident that University did not intend striking from i that point. Knowing the characteristics and force of the Somerville attack, the ' students made every effort to keep the 1 ball away from the inner trio of the ; opposition, and to a great extent they ! we;e successful, notwithstanding that the burden of their advances was not evenly distributed. The conditions also affected the scope of the flying squad of the Somerville van, as at times i the hall did not run truly, and in consequence was difficult to control at top speed. Xo doubt when the Somerville forwards did gain possession of the ball they were a severe menace to University's defence, and notwithstanding the varied support from the rearguard the ; students were sorely pressed on quite a number of occasions, and their goal in grave danger. When freed from the lightning raids of the Somerville trio the ! University quintet made good progress, chiefly from the wings, where they had a certain amount of freedom, and attacked just as freely, but in the circle lacked the determination and aggressiveness of the more famed opposition, and the Somerville backs had greater opportunities to recover. The second spell saw Somerville forwards reveal some of their best work, and it was not long before a goal was recorded, and with the addition of another the students' chances began to fade. University were by no means dismayed, and attacking with vigour, secured their reward. The success acted as a tonic, and some thrilling exchanges, full of incident, followed. University not only succeeded in keeping their goal intact, but evened up the scores. With the teams on level terms the game raged furiously, for University were just as keen on ■winning as Somerville, and in the fading light the battle continued amidst the enthusiasm from the spectators, who crowded over the sideline in their eagerness to follow every movement. Cooper, in goal, dealt with some awkward situations confidently, and stopped both hits which were sent into the net off the rebound. Baildon did not play with his usual confidence, although doing excellent work at times. Roberts showed more restraint and figured prominently in the defence. Cole was the best of the halves. A. Rogers showed up better in the second spell. E. Rogers had a difficult task to perform. H. Watts did best in the first spell. Claudet made progress with limited opportunities. E. Watts was always to the fore, and his goal was a splendid effort. C. Watts and Seccombe were invarialy dangerous, while the former frequently assisted the backs.

Steen was shaky under fire, but managed to do his share. Dobson bore more of the burden at fullback, and frequently saved the side. Leonard rendered good service. In the halves Radicliffe had a difficult task and he played remarkably well. Leornard's quick and accurate hitting was a source of trouble to the opposition. Brook played his best game of the season. Greenbank played centre, from which danger emanated. R. V. Burton worked energetically. Clayton at centre, got away nicely at times. E. Burton was the pick of the line and had a hand in both goals. Hamilton gave an excellent display on the left wing. St. Luke's, on the other hand, gave a fair exhibition and had little difficulty in dealing; with the opposition. The backs did all that was required, while Hookham and Giles were the best of the forwards. On the Stanley side Anthony and Robinson were about the most prominent performers. ST. LUKE'S V. STANLEY. St. Luke's added a win at the expense of Stanley, but that was only to be expected and matters with the transharbour team will not change until they put a little method into their work. Their display against St. Luke's was of a ragged order. Combination was conspicuous by its absence and hard and erratic hitting marked the play of the majority of the backc. WESLEY V. ARETA. Although Wesley fielded a little more than half their usual team., it was not anticipated that they would be so soundly beaten by Arete. The game was not very interesting owing to the superiority of Areta in every department, and as the blacks increased the score they did not take matters very seriously. MT. EDEN V. COLTS. The outstanding feature of this game was the effort of combined play by Mt. Eden in contrast to the individual efforts the Colts adopted. The Edenites did not, however, accept many chances that came their way, owing to hard hittin' o or ployers being out of position at the critical moment. The browns play certainly showed a vast improvement over many earlier efforts. To a great extent the Colts' display was disappointing after recent matches, but perhaps the soft nature of the turf was the cause. The forwards for some reason discarded concerted movement and aimed at solo efforts, with the result the attacks lacked sting and were shortlived. Although the Colts when defeated have gone under by the narrow margin of one goal upon each occasion, in this encounter they were decidedly lucky to leave the field with the score only 3 goals to 2 against the-m. Jansen snapped Mt. Eden three goals as the result of fast following in, but in the field was inclined to wander. Alexander' showed improvement and with Fletcher catered well for the line. Hedges shone well among the half-backs. Brown was the best of fullbacks.