SUMMER HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 49, 28 February 1927, Page 14

SUMMER HOCKEY.

RENOWN TEAM DEFEATED/ AUCKLAND'S EARLY LEAD. The visit of the Duke and Duchess of York to the Dominion gave Aucklanders another opportunity of renewing acquaintance with naval hockey. It was on the visit of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales on the same ship seven years ago that local players and enthusiasts first witnessed a team in action from beyond the Dominion. • The weather conditions were almost ideal from a playing point of view, taking into consideration the time of the year, although the rain interfered with the attendance, and only a small crowd of enthusiasts assembled at Remuera to witness the game. Taking into consideration that the visitors were not fully represented, they gave a good display. In the second spell they more than held their own and had Auckland in trouble on several occasions. The Auckland team was gathered together in a hurry, and it was apparent that pace told towards the end. On the whole, it was a fast and interesting game, and quite a good display. The teams were:— Auckland.—Goal, Chiplin; fullbacks, Gardiner, Davis; halves, Mills, Radcliffe, Ritchie; forwards, A. Burton, Selens, J. Giles, C. Watts, Fletcher. H.M.s. Renown.—Goal, Corp. Longhurst, R.M.; fullbacks, Mid. Townsend, Lieut. Hill, R.M.; halves, Lieut.-Com. Hodgson, Mid. Jameson, Lieut.-Com. Mansergh; forwards, Surgeon Lieut. Sloane, Lieut. Atkin, Pavmaster-Coni. Gibbons, Mid. Francis, Lieut. Barry. Local Team Scores First. The game opened quietly until Sloane broke away on the right. From a roll in Gibbons hit across the line in an attempt to reach the circle. Auckland then advanced and a scoop by C. Watts looked dangerous, but Jameson came to the rescue and the Navy reached the circle along thk left flank. Barry centred, and Radcliffe eased the situation. From a roll in Barry and Francis attempted to centre, with the reverse. A free hit relieved the siege and Watts headed an attack. Longhurst saved, but Auckland came'away again and from a \hort pass by A. Burton, Giles scored. Auckland 1 Renown 0 Auckland's Tally Increased. Auckland were again goal hunting, only to be stopped by Hill. A couple of sorties by the Navy produced a 25. An exchange of hits between Radcliffe and Longhurst saw play at midfield. Short passing by the Auckland van was interrupted by Townsend, and Jameson effected a clearance. Townsend was injured and took up the position at the rear, where he saved a score in the nick of time, and hard cross-hitting enabled the Navy to transfer play to the other end. Jameson set the ball in motion again,, but it was repelled by Davis, and taking up the running, the forwards IK bed the circle, where C. Watts registered. Auckland 2 Renown 0 The second score roused the visitors, and indulging in open play had Auckland, hard pressed. A duel between Radcliffe i and Jameson saw the latter away, and transferring at the right time, gave I Francis an opportunity, but the shot was intercepted, and when half-time sounded, play was at midfield. Auckland 2 H.M.s. Renown 0 An Even Second Spell.When the game restarted, the visitors were first away, but Gardiner transferred the scene of action to the other end. Gibbons accomplished good work in the vicinity of the Auckland goal, and Mansergh hit out to the right, who was unable to connect before the ball crossed the line. A temporary attack by Auckland was pushed into the circle. Mansergh and Barry removed the danger, and a nice piece of combination in which four of the visiting forwards participated —took play into the Auckland twentyfive. Davis fielded nicely. Give-and-take play followed until a hit by Atkin put the Renown on the attack. A crows hit sent the ball out near the Auckland flag. From the roll-in Barry rocked in a hot shot, which deserved a better fate. Keeping up the pressure, Francis again forced the locals. Davis and Ritchie relieved, and Watts and Fletcher made progress, but the Navy were soon back aoain, and Francis iei.t out a nice pass to Sloane, who sticked, and Auckland cleared. The visitors advanced again aion<* the left, where Mills came to the rescue. Play graritated between the two twentv-fives without advantage to either iide until Radcl'ffe sent to the forwards, but the shot lacked direction. A little later Fletcher broke through, but did not connect, with the ball. Just before time Jameson got away, and sent to Sloane, to Gibbons, whose pass was too hard, and the game ended without further score: — Auckland • • j* Renown " Referees: Instruct.-Lieut.-Commander Hall and Mr. H. B. Speight.