HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 114, 17 May 1927, Page 12

HOCKEY.

FIRST ROUND B SECTION

COMPLETED.

SOMERVILLE COLTS IX LEAD.

The Auckland Hockey Association and their. .Emergency Committee took a sporting chance in deciding to go on with the programme last Saturday afternoon. Still, at noon the information regarding the ground was satisfactory, and even after the heavy rain, which was sufficient to swa.'iip most grounds, the turf at Remuera never reached the boggy state. Nevertheless, it was soft and slippery, causing players to fall frequently. In consequence, the quality of hockey suffered considerably, and movements skilful in initiation frequently came to grief. Perhaps the one exception was the work of Somerville, though it must be remembered that the opposition was not at full strength. There was also an element of danger attached to play, and a couple of unfortunate accidents occurred which necessitated medical attention. In the A section the only closelycontested game was between Mount Eden and St. Luke's, the former winning by a solitary goal. Somerville beat Areta by seven goals to nothing, while University defeated Wesley to t'extent of half a dozen goals. In the B section Somerville Colts added another victory at the expense of Epiphany, who suffered defeat by four goals to nil. Training College ran into second place in the competition as the outcome of their, win by the odd goal in three over University. ° The following table shows the position of the teams:— SECTION A. Goals. Ch. P- L. D. P. A. Pts. I'niversity 3 2 0 1 9 2 5 Mount Eden .. .'! 2 1 o 5 J 4 fcomervMe S 2 1 0 -13 3 4 St. Luke's .. 1 1 1 ;{ o ;V ret , a 1 2 0 8 11 2 Wesley 3 0 3 0 in 0 SECTION B. Goals. Ch. P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Somerville Colts 3 3 0 0 13 3 6 Training College 3 2 1 0 11 4 4 University Colts 3 1 2 0 4 9 •> Epiphany 3 0 3 0 1 13 0"

Somerville v. Areta. The contest between Somerville and Areta invariably creates a good deal of interest, and between the two teams there exists a full measure of healthv rivalry. Although Areta figured in senior hockey before Somerville, the latter advanced rapidly and established themselves as first graders of importance. In recent years Areta found it a big struggle to live, but relief came in a strong reinforcement from the Somerville Club, the majority of the. second grade going over. Since then, despite the continued success of the Somerville first eleven, their meeting with Areta has furnished many exciting encounters, so it was rather disappointing that they were drawn together under the conditions prevailing last Saturday, especially when Areta were compelled to take the field short-handed, and for the greater part pf the game play two short. Throughout the piece Areta made a game fight, but were no match for the full- complement representing , Somervillj| who gave a fine display, notwithstanding the nature of the " turf, and Lwere frequently on the attack; in fact, ?the Areta goal underwent considerable bombardment, while play was "chiefly confined to the adjoining territory. The Somerville forwards nearly always requisitioned the full resources of their attack, and at times executed excellent movements, which provided good shooting. In this department Somerville are outstanding, and it was only in the early stages of the game that some good opportunities at a vacant goal did not materialise. The central trio again figured prominently, and so did H. Watts, whose reward was a couple of fine goals. Cole claimed the honours in the middle division, while Haggett, whose position requires little attention, shaped better. Roberts was equal to most demands.

On the Areta side every member of the depleted team had more than hie usual duties to perform, and, without exception, it can be stated that they were all triers from start to finish. Sadly handicapped without a goalie, the responsibilities of the last defence fell upon Davis and Ellison. The former repelled attacks with his usual cleverness, while Ellison, pressed to play at the last minute, showed that he has not lost the art. The halves worked hard, Savage, Ashley and Smallwood finding the incessant attacks tough propositions. Four forwards attempted the work of five, with the result that the scope of attack was limited, and that, full shooting power could not be brought into action. University v. Wesley. N Although the students were regarded favourites in their meeting with Wesley, an interesting game was anticipated. A Beries of circumstances, of which the weather dominated, ruled otherwise. Wesley at the last minute scraped together nine players and in the handicapped condition gave the students a run. The play developed into a fast, uninteresting encounter, in which individual effort wap most prominent. 'Varsity's display under the circumstances was somewhat disappointing. A great chance offered to indulge in combined team work. This was sacrificed for a goal-hunting competition and in the half dozen goals recorded not one came as the result of a well-conceived movement. 'Varsity had easily the best of matters, but at times Wesley caused the blues' defence some anxious moments. The students' goalie, Steen, was not called upon for anything of a really serious nature. Of the ful£ backs, Hume did most of the stopping, but his hitting lacked the placing of Browne, his partner. Radcliffe was sound at centre half, but should not indulge in the "aerial work." It leaves too many players idle and gives some spectators a wrong idea of hockev. Dr. Leonard was seen to advantage until a rising ball struck him in the (eye. This accident will prove a serious loss to the students* 448 I rearguard. A. Burton was seen to greater advantage as left wing. Hamilton' and Seelen showed up prominentlv throughout, while Millar was in a good goal-scoring mood In charge of Wes ley's net, Lucas had j a severe testing, and I gave a sound, rathei j than brilliant dis play. Sparling was the strength- of the defence. Burton was not so conspicuous as usual. Chappell worked hard and deserved more success,-while Fra,ter, in a somewhat roving cbfiimission, let very little pass. Mount Eden v. St. Lukes. - After a comparatively mediocre display against Somerville a week ago, Mount Eden were called upon to mMt St Luke'* who, by reason of » draw with University, were accredited as opponents

of more than ordinary ability, and after an extremely hard-fought game in a treacherous turf, Mount Eden succeeded in -winning by one goal, scored in the second spell. Both back and forward, the teams appeared to be evenly matched, but throughout play was not of a very high quality. However, towards the finish St. Luke's made a great effort, but did not succeed in breaking through the Mount Eden defence. Unfortunately, St. Luke's were handicapped by the loss of J. Giles, who sustained a broken collarbone during the second spell, and the attack was considerably weakened.

Vail in goal for the winners stopped everything that came along. The two fullbacks, Anderson and Surman, did well under the conditions. The halves worked well, while Fletcher, Penman, and Kelly were the best of the forwards. For St. Luke's Hanna in goal went out and blocked

the first attempt) but had no chance with the following

; shot. Williams was the safer of the backs. Williams and Robertson did the bulk of the work in. the half line. Hookham, J. Giles, until he retired, and T. Giles were the pick of the forwards. Training College v. University. Although Training College did no rattle up a big score, they succeeded in giving a better display than on the previous Saturday, when Epiphany were beaten by seven goals. Much of the improvement was due to the forwards, and quite an interesting game was the outcome of their meeting with University in the last set of the matches in the first round of the B section. Training College had slightly the better of the argument, and were more often on the attack, especially in the second spell. For Training College North was the better of the two fullbacks. Wilmott showed out most prominent in an eager set of halfbacks. Worthington, Tizard, and Thompson were the pick or the forwards. The students were well represented in the back division by Leonard and North, and of the three halves the centre proved the most noticeable. Burton was the most enterprising member of the quintet. Somerville Colts v. Epiphany. | Somerville Colts found little trouble in accounting for. Epiphany, thereby com-

pleting the first round of the withdut loss. Epiphany contain TnrmfS of keen players, but they w * not akktt copo with Somerville, who set a, fut n*2 and were aggaesshre from the outset!^* For SomerviljQ Gutry and Chirlia the best of the backs, although an *v_- - halves did well. In the forwirdline Preston, besides being in -a scoring humour, worked well in the field. Peac* on the right flank was also promiamZ' For Epiphany Mills at full back *n& Hewitt in the forwards were about th» best.