THE WORLD of SPORT

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 206, 31 August 1926, Page 11

THE WORLD of SPORT

HOCKEY.

ST. LITRE'S V. COLTS.

THE DEVONPORT SHIELD.

NOTES ON THE GAME.

Although the principal fixture iri connection with senior hockey under the auspices of the Auckland Hockey Association terminated a week ago, the Devonport Shield furnishes another important trophy to be decided under similar conditions. Further interest is evinced in the one round competition, as the season's champions, Somerville, will be shown little quarter by the remainder of the teams competing, as an unwritten law usually exiets under these circumstances, conspiring against champions or leaders, and so it happened in the very first game played Excellent conditions prevailed for the firet set of matches, while the turf was in good order. Wesley, meeting the champions, were strongly eupported after the excellent showing made at the beginning of the game, and were accorded a great reception when they emerged from the contest with honours even, the ecores heing three all. Another tough struggle eventuated afterwards in the contest between University and Areta, the former winning by one goal to nil. Mount Eden just managed to beat Stanley, getting the verdict by the narrowest of margins in a good crop of five. St. Luke's, contrary to expectations, piled up a big score against th< Colts, whom they defeated by five goale to one. UNIVERSITY V. ARETA. The meeting between University and Areta was considered to be the event of the day, and it provided an interesting struggle, the result being in the balance until the final whistle sounded. University were not very sanguine about their ability to do the trick, as the team wae not at the usual strength, the most notable absentee being E. V. Jiurton. Areta entered the arena with more confidence, which was to some extent juetified, but the loss of Ellison in the first spell made all the difference in the defence. On the whole it was a fairly even struggle, although until after the only score. University had slightly the better of the exchangee, but the retaliation of Areta clearly proved that the blacks were by no means a beaten team. However, they had two golden opportunities, a shot by Carter, which eeemed a certainty, and a penalty bully in the mouth of the goal, but both went begging. Carter could hardly be blamed for the first, for the goalie was out of action, and all that seemed necessary was to tap the ball into the net, and nobody got a bigger shock than Carter himself, when a stick came from nowhere and stopped the ball almost on the line. However, the penalty bully was another matter, as the centreforward should be capable of beating a fullback nine timee out of ten. The game was fairly fast, and contained many incidents. University opened up play at every opportunity, principally from the left, and it was the crosshit that caused the Areta backs trouble. Areta forwards, on the other hand, were cleverer with their sticks, but usually hung on to the ball at the wrong time. It would have been a much better policy to have utilised the wing instead of jamming the attack by dallying wit<h the ball in the centre. Certainly it contained a lot of clever work, hut it also gave the students' backs a chance, and they were equal to it on most occasions. For University Dofoson put in splendid work at fullback, smashing up the attacks and clearing in good style. On defence, Leonard at half-back was excellent, and RadcLffe, although mishitting a good deal at the start, improved and judiciously catered for his forwards The Tiost successful of the students' attacks developed on the left, Hamilton figuring prominently. Spencer seldom failed to centre t<- advantage. Clayton worked hard thoughout. Until his departure Ellison playti , . splendidly at fullback. Davia performed better in the second spell. The reorganisation of the Areta team saw Ashley perform at centre-half, and give a good display. Potter was sound in both positions. The inner forwards monopolised the attack, and up to a certain point Anthony, Carter and Hayson were effective. SOMERVILLE V. WESLEY. Wesley had the honoui of meeting the season's champions, and, taking Somerville somewhat unawares, rendered such a good account of themselves that their more noted opponents did not have many opportunities to recover. However, just before half time, following some attractive play, Somerville evened up the scores. In the second half Wesley continued their aggressive tactics until the Somerville backs appeared more in the picture, and a couple of goals went to their .credit. Wesley then had to face a deficit of a couple of goals, and by bustling play had the Somerville central defence in trouble once more, and amidst enthusiasm the scores were again equalled. There is not the least shadow of doubt that Somerville did not expect Wesley to give them any trouble, and that they founc difficulty in tuning up to concert pitch, still it must be remembered that Somerville were actually in the lead at a stage in the game, and a fairly late one too, so Wesley are justly entitled to a great deal of credit for their grit and determination in making such a gallant recovery. Every player on the Wesley side did his share. Woolley kept goal splendidly, Sparling shaped well at fullback, while Flood ■was the best of the halves. In the forwards Fitt made good openings, Burton and Wiseman were also prominent performers. With the exception of E. Watts and H. Watts, the Somerville forwards were below form, while the two Sogers performed most satisfactory in the middle line. At fullback Baildon did the bulk of the work. MOUNT EDEN V. STANLEY. Mount Eden hardly sustained their Teputation in their match with Stanley, the game for the most part being rather ragged, both teams indulging in a lot of hard hitting. Throughout the contest Mount Eden held the upper hand, but ■were closely pressed by Stanley on several occasions, and it is strange to relate that during the game the scores were evened quickly, until Mount Eden secured the deciding one as the pace began to tell on Stanley. On the Mount Eden side Ritchie at fullback bore the burden. Toovey and Hedges rendered best service in the half line. Kelly, Fletcher and Ash were at the head of the attack, the wings were not busy.

Stanley were not at full strength, yet had the satisfaction of fully extending Mount Eden, and conspicuous amongst their backs were Anthony and R. Prater, while Miller and Penman had the most opportunities to make progress in the forwards.

Perhaps St. Luke's gained the greatest satisfaction out of this game by adding a couple of points in their favour for the Devonport Shield. The play was of a moßt changeable nature riising at times to a very high standard, and sinking just as suddenly to a level only to be expected from a set of novices out for the first time. Why the game was allowed to take such a turn was hard to understand, far the players all seemed very ketfn. St. Luke's had the best of matters, and thedr goal crop could, with a little care, have been increased. They visited their opponents' circle upon numerous occasions, and against a weak defence gave a crude display of goal shooting. The Colts were over-anxious, and their efforts broke down only too frequently through crowding tactics. Hookham was the best of St. Luke's vanguard, while Carston at times brought off some fine work. T. Giles was especially conspicuous for "sticks" and "offside." Potter and Williams were the best of the halves. The fullbacks, Williams and Mills, have been seen to greater advantage. For the Colts Preston was very prominent but was not supported. Sawyer made some fine eolo efforts, but failed in combined efforts. Peace repeatedly mistook the chalk lines and lost many fine openings through boing out of position. Wing forwards must hang to the "sideline. Gutry was best of the halves, but both Gardner and Harris as fullbacks were below their usual standard. N.Z. LADIES' TOURNEY. SECOND DAY'S PLAY. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) INVERCARGILtL, this day. The New Zealand ladies' hockey championship tournament was continued at Queen's Park yesterday afternoon, when the weather conditions were excellent, the games being played in glorious sunshine, a great contrast to the conditions rilling on Saturday. In No. 1 section Southland B defeated South Canterbury by 6 points to 3, and Ruahine defeated Wellington .by 8 points to 0. In No. 2 section Southland defeated Otago by 8 points to 0, and Canterbury defeated Eastern Southland by 8 points to 1. The championship points, irrespective of sections, on the second day's play, now stands: Ruahine 4, Southland 4, Canterbury 3, Southland B 2, Eastern Southland A 2, and Otago 1. The remainder have not yet gained points.