HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 152, 29 June 1926, Page 15

HOCKEY.

THE CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS.

ROTES ON THE GAME.

The championship fixtures under the auspices of the Auckland Hockey Association were advanced a stage last Saturday afternoon, by the completion of the third series of matches in connection with the second round. Although there was not the enthusiasm that marked the progress of play on the previous set of matches, a large number of spectators assembled to witness the players in action prior to their appearance for Auckland against the Indians next Saturday, but owino to the nature of the turf play was somewhat hampered, and only at" times did play rise to a high standard of excellence.

The most important contest set down for decision was between University and Areta. which went in favour of the students by two goals to nil, both scored in the earlier stages of the

game.. 11 St. Luke's beat Wesley by five goals to four. Stanley drew with Mount Eden, each side scoring three goals. Somerville beat their colts by three goals to two.

ST. LUKE'S V. WESLEY. The contesl between St. Luke's and Wesley was only fairly interesting, although at the start it showed promise of much better development. St. Luke's knocked the ball about freely, and initiated some excellent attacks," which were countered by more, open work through the agency of turning the fast travelling ball. For a time the backs were able to cope with the attacks, but as the game proceeded play became more of a scrambling nature, and notwithstanding that the shooting was indifferent the scores increased.

Duncan's absence made all the difference to the St. Luke's attack. It is difficult to. understand how the combination broke down after starting so promisingly. The goal crop hardly bears out the statement that the shooting was weak, but several opportunities went begging. Xo doubt Hookham was the best forward' on the ground, and made a fine run from circle to eirle in scoring the first goal. Carston worked hard in the open, Steele made his first appearance of the season, but as a forward was rather reposeful. The halves were patchy, and at times allowed the opposing forwards plenty of latitude. The line was to some extent disorganised by Potter taking a turn on the outside. The full-backs started auspiciously.

If Wesley had reproduced the form displayed on the previous Saturday, they may have secured the points credited to the opposition, and it appeared as. if they meant business when the game commenced, but surely they must have suffered from, the same complaint as St. Luke's, as the pace slackened all round, and it was some time before they were able to pick tip their last goal. Fitt gave his best display of the season at both ends of the game, and his good shooting was an exception to the general circle work. Burton and Tait figured in several promising attacks. At half-back Flood gave glimpses of his best form, but lacked the required consistency. Sparling played tip top at the beginning of the game.

MOUNT EDEN V. STANLEY. The match between Mount Eden and Stanley was closely oonatsted, and on the play there was very little to choose between the two teams. At times Mount Eden played with a certain amount of combination, but on the whole the work was more of an individual nature by the performers on both sides. It was evident that Stanley intended to make the pace, for they were early on the attack, but the Mount.Eden defence held for a time. Hard hitting assisted in providing chances in both circles, as the ball frequently travelled through the defences, and it was only towards the finish that Stanley • evened the scores. On the Mount Eden side Ritchie got through a lot of work. Kelly played well at half-back, and was supported by Hedges. In the forward line Alexander before his departure played excellently. Fletcher was active in the open, and Jensen made progress on the left. For Stanley R. Frater was the safer of the full-backs. Saunders hit too hard in speculating. A. Frater was the best of the halves, while Miller and W. Foster showed out most prominently in the forwards.

ARETA V. UNIVERSITY. Areta and University engaged in a hard, strenuous struggle, marked by more individual effort than combined work. An early score by the students seemed to upset all calculations, and then a second finding of the net by the blues disturbed Areta. The students' team work was the best, and the great defence of their rearguard was of the highest order. It must have been very diiconcerting to the blacks' rearguard when success seemed within measurable distance to find the covering tactics the j blues' defence adopted. The best team On the day won. The students attacked from all directions, while Areta tried to force the defence, briefly from the left. Steen did not leave many callst in ; charge of the students' net, but displa3'ed good judgment in all his work. The full-backs were a very sound pair, and the halves maintained splendid position. Forward honours were well«, divided. Hamilton, on the left wing, was always dangerous, his goal being the result of quickly snapping a chance. Seelen did well, but at times lacked finish. Wilkie again gave a good display in charge of Areta's net. Davis, at full-back gave a high-class display, while Ellison was sound. The halves played too far back. Forward Anthony claims rj-«t mention, while Carter, although pi*V,inent, .was too inclined to make solo efforts.

SOMERVILLE V. COLTS. Somerville had a narrow escape at the hands of the Colts and had the latter played up to the form displayed in some of the previous matches the result might have caused more anxiety; however, neither team appeared to be playing at its best. Certainly Somerville were considerably weakened by the absence of E. and C. Watts, who were playing "against the Indians at Christehurch. Still both sides might have imbued a little more life into the game. The two Somerville full-backs, Baildon and Roberts, played moderate games. Cole was the pick of the halves, and Seccombe claimed the honours in the forward line. Don did good work. Amongst the Colts Gardner was safe at full-back. Gutry proved the most consistent of the halves, and Preston, Glenn and Gregan did the bulk of the work in the front division.