A DRAWN GAME.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 211, 7 September 1927, Page 15

A DRAWN GAME.

GOOD HOCKEY ON SLIPPERY

GROUND.

NEW ZEALAND V. AUCKLAND.

ADVANTAGE TO LOCAL TEAM.

Despite the wet weather there was a fair attendance of spectators at the Remuefa recreation grounds yesterday afternoon to view the hockey match between the victorious New Zealand team and the local representatives. The ground was very slippery and not in the least adaptable to good hockey. Taking ibis fact into consideration the game may be described as a very good exhibition—probably one of the best seen in Auckland this year. The match resulted in a draw, two goals a-piece, but in the latter stages Auckland had the decided advantage. During the first spell C. Davis received a hit on the foot and an examination at half-time it was found that a bone had been broken. He was replaced bv A Brown. * The Game. The teams were:— New Zealand.—Fletcher, Soper, L. Spiers, Mahoney, Morrie, Hore, Lusty, (captain), Seccombe, Bell, C. Watts, C. Spiers.

Auckland.—Cooper, Davis (replaced bv Brown at half-time), Frater, Leonard (captain), Badcliffe, Steele, L. Carter, J. Carter, E. Watts, Miller, Phillpotts. Auckland was the first to show out and reach the circle. Soper attempted to dear but L. Carter got in his shot. This went wide. Phillpotts at once opened up again and centred to E. Watts who transferred back to J. Carter. The Litter's shot went wide. The black forwards, headed by Lusty on the right wing, began a series of persistent attacks. Badcliffe secured and sent up field to J. Carter. There was a scramble for possession and the ball went out. A further attack resulted in Cooper bringing off a good save. E. Watts attacked, and beat L. Spiers. Soper, however, obstructed. C. Watts then got through to the circle, where Frater cleared. Steele was responsible for the next forward movement. E. Watts beat L. Spiers and reached the circle. His shot was Well stopped by Fletcher. Seccombe put in a great run, and tm entering the circle collided with Leonard, both players going to the ground. The ball went put.. From the roll-in-the ball crossed to C. Spiers, who transferred across the goal month to Lusty, who made a great attempt to score. E. Watts put in a great run up half the length of the field, with Soper in close pursuit. The ball crossed the back line before he could recover it. C. Spiers*-put in a spectacular run up the line and then centred. Cooper was drawn out by Bell, who, however, missed the ball. Lusty came in from the right and scored. E. Watts, made another solo run down the centre of the field, and then transferred to Phillpotts, who was beaten by Hore before he could get his shot in. C: Spiers was checked by Baddiffe. New Zealand resumed the offensive, and Bell had two shots, each of which went wide. The local forwards made a great effort to score, the .ball passing very rapidly among them! Each time the black backs deared, Leonard returned. The movement was terminated by offside play on the part of XL Garter. Just before halfyme the New Zealand forwards were again, in the circle. Cooper cleared once, but from very dose in C. Watts pushed the ball into the net while Cooper was! attempting to dear with his stick. j

New Zealand .............. 2 - Auckland; 0 ■»■ • - - • ■ ■ -' ■ New Zealand opened the attack but Leonard secured and sent E. Watts and Miller.away. Fletcher twice caught the ball oil his pads. Seccombe cleared but Radaliffe checked. C. Spiers and C. Watts got away- together but the ball went wide*of the net. The local forwards attacked and L. Carter transferred to Miller. Fletcher rushed out and kicked dear. Lusty carried down the line, and sent across to C. Watts, who transferred back to Seccombe. The lastnamed took the shot but the ball hit the post. Phillpotts put in a beautiful solo run and beat Soper. He then centred to E. Watts, who failed to connect. J. Carter took the shot and the ball went wide. ■ Soper transferred to Lusty, who high hit to Seccombe, who was beaten by Brown. A further solo run by E. Watts was checkea by L. Spiers. Auckland gained a corner and Phillpotts, who received oil the edge of the circle, sent in a stinging shot, which found the net. E. Watts launched another offensive and a scramble in the goal's mouth ensued. Miller pushed .the ball in. Phillpotts put in a solo run up his side of the field and had a shot which Fletcher cleared. E. Watts raced up field, beat Soper and shot but Fletcher again cleared. Lusty soon found himself with nobody but the goalie in front of him. He sent in a true shot but Cooper brought off a brilliant save. C. Spiers secured and beat Brown. The ball crossed the goal and went out. Badcliffe gave the ball to E. Watts, who, having beaten Soper, raced for the circle with L. Spiers trying to catch him. Watts took the shot. Fletcher cleared and J. Carter came but his shot went wide. There was no further score.

New Zealand '«••."■ * Auckland • • • 2 Messrs. L. 6. Norton and H. B. Speight were referees. Comments on Players. Fletcher, the Dominion goalie, pl*yed a steady game and in the course of the afternoon brought off a large number of brilliant saves. Cooper, at practically the last moment, was called upon to fill the Auckland goal in place of Lucas, who could not turn out. He responded exceptionally well. Soper at ifullback outehone L. Spiers. He was remarkably steady and employed Broiling tactics to a very large extent. iTlne Auckland Tearguard Dayie waa well on form. Frater played hie usual nme but comMned better with Brown than witk Davis. Brown rather surpri?ed eferyone by the excepfaonaUy fine game ie played. . In the New Zealand half-line Morns was the star. . Jftwe xm showed to i better «lv*itage than Mahoney on Radcßffe, aa usiial, was the outaSmdingyialf on the In the «Mp)r. Lebnard and; Steele got kept *eir forwards ':■, liustyj and Secwmbe werejpeAape the Tlast of the Dominion forwards. , 4^ ■U^ ; .«n ;t&e : |eft. whig, was. not kept

fed and so was handicapped. The inskLes combined well with the centre. The local forward line was a jumble. E. Watte, without a doubt, gave the meet brilliant display on the field, putting in about twenty solo runs down the centre. PMllpotte wae also on top form. L. Carter's play, however, was unconvincing. J. Carter on numerous occasions had good opportunities for •coring, but practically without exception spoilt them by wild hitting. Miller, the remaining forward, followed up well but was slow and not up to representative standard.