HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 120, 23 May 1928, Page 14

HOCKEY.

POWNFALL OF SOMERVILLE.

BT. LUKE'S GREAT ACHIEVEMENT

NOTES ON THE PLAY.

With the: end of the first round in Bight, and the sensational defeat of Somervillo by St. Luke's, additional interest has been cvinceil in the struggle for championship honours, and all those who journeyed to the llcmuera ground last Saturday afternoon were entertained with seventy minutes of exhilarating hockey, brimful of exciting incidents, kaleidoscopic changes, and tense situations, marred only on one occasion by a little feeling not in keeping with the best traditions of the game. matters were amicably adjusted at the conclusion of the game. Still, toll ? w '"« the happenings of the prw-wus week the association would be well advised to keep spectators off the ground during ithe game. It seemed like old times to witness !St. Luke's and Somerville battling for i supremacy in a contest of such an even nature. A few seasons ago nobody expected more than a one-goal margin However, Somerville's rise to fame has Ibeen more conspicuous, while St. s jhave struggled along with only a fail -measure of success. Without losing a imatch to date, although their sequence of successes was broken by a draw with Mount Eden, St. Luke's tackled their , old-time antagonists with confidence with the result that they gamed the position at the head of affairs defeating the champions of several seasons by .lie odd goal in three.

Not the least interesting: contest was between University and North Shore, and the newest team to the grade fully extended the students, although they eventually suffered defeat by four goals to two. Mount Eden and Areta provided some heavy scoring, the former winning by six goals to three, notwithstanding that Areta caused them a good deal of anxiety in the closing stages of the game. The following tables show the position of the teams taking part in the two sections of the senior competition, with St. Luke's at the head of affairs and Somervillo and Mount Eden treading closely on their heels, one point .away:— SECTION A.

WELL DESERVED WIN. After experiencing many misfortunes last year, St. Luke'* entered this season's activities with a greatly revised team, and it is safe to say that if bright exhilarating scientific play is to decide the seison s honours, then the wearers of the maroon jerseys will prove a force to b© reckoned with. In meeting Somerville last Saturday, St. Luke's had many supporters who expected their team to make a great showing—none predicted a win—therefore the surprise in store was all the more pleasing.

jSomerville were beaten by a better team, and had a sample of hockey movements quite foreign to them. St. Luke'a attacks came from all quarters. A sharp cross-pass would draw the opposing backs, who, expecting a stroke to be made, would be left beaten as the opposing forwards, with a turn of the wrists, would steer the ball away from them. Somerville backs have not had a taste of such tactics for a long time and were at a loss." They checked many of the movements by crowding and shepherding tactics. Somerville's stereotyped central forward movements got few chances and the white's vanguard work was not >of the disconcerting nature of their opponents. As St. Luke's were trying out their inner left forward, who was far from a find, the success of their work was all the greater. Somerville's forwards found the opposing backs a hardtackling force, who covered each other well and smothered the whites' onslaught in no uncertain manner.

The game clearly showed that when opposed to true hockey tactics, Somerville were not the powerful combination so generally considered. St. Luke's stick-work all round was ahead of their rivals and they employed a greater variety of strokes.

This reverse should prove timely to Somerville and teach many lessons. Several players with the game going against them indulged in and got away with a lot of body work. Backs shepherding one another was another practico that must be wiped out for it will provo expensive. Where with one exception the players performed so well, St. Luke's offer a diftlcirJty to individualise. However, goalie Highfleld claims special mention for some of his efforts were meritorious. Burnett and Williams were most effective as full-backs. Of the half trio the palm must be given Robertson in the centre. J. Giles has never been seen to greater advantage, his goal was • beauty. Fitt has taken a new lease, while Hookham played one of his best games. Kelly faili-d dismally to live to Sis reputation. Sadly out of form he has a long vrrf "i go to have claims for a place in the line. T. Giles sent in some fine centres, but many were too straight. Of the Somerville rearguard, Chiplin in goal claims first mention and is a worthy successor to Cooper. He made some brilliant saves and the shots that found the net he had no chance with. Gardiner was the best of the full-backs, but his clearances at times were not well directed. Munro's reach proved valuable, but he was at a loss with a bull suddenly turned. Cole proved the strength of the half line, but must stop his turning habits. E. Watts was best of the forwards, his breakaway at the opening of the second half should have met better results. He was very closely patched by Robertson. C. Watts was w«i c ' ever ttt times, but he struck a • SiJl'g. J?*®. to tl,e game when he ?" deling to override his better J?®* * cti °ns should be beBoccomhe WM y hli ° f « hi " ex Pericnce- *« pte&r ,orm and was sel-

UNIVERSITY V. NORTH SHORE. The contest between University and Xorth Shore provided a much more even game than was ever anticipated. Without in any way detracting from the ability of the team from across the water the match was considered a good thing for the students. However, to the delight of the North Shore supporters and Mount Eden's, too, a close struggle ensued. The first spell ended with the scores two all and for a greater part of the next Xorth Shore had their full share of plav and a draw seemed likely. North Shore enjoyed much freedom in attacking, owing to the limited resources of the students' defence. With a little judicious hitting North Shoi'o might even have come dut victorious. In confining play toward the centi*e of the field North Shore not only concentrated their attack, but also met the strongest portion of the University defence. Had play been opened up then North Shore would have found it much easier to advance on either wing, as there is no question that a weakness prevailed on both flanks of the students' middle division. On account of a couple of backs bearing the brunt of the students' defence, the work of the forwards was restricted; still they had sufficient chances to obtain a good crop of goals and in several goal-hunting expeditions figured in some excellent movements.

The- North Shore defence was more even than in the previous match, while among the forwards a certain amount of celeverness was in evidence; still they lacked the cohesion of the opposition and individual efforts proved more successful than the efforts to combine.

The two outstanding backs in the University side were Radcliffe and Brown. The former had a strenuous time in trying to cover ground on either aide and it is just as well that North Shore did not extend their movements. Brown at full-back found the North Shore left the greatest menace and a little indecision between Anthony and Reid on the verge of tha danger zone enabled him to check proceedings. The whole of the students' line rendered good service up to a certain point. Seelen was always prominent. Hamilton played his best game so far this season. Don worked both sides to advantage, and the two wingers, Philpott and Hay, were seldom found wanting.

For North Shore, Rankin, though a trifle venturesome, gave a good display between the uprights, although four shots reached the net. F. Anthony was steadier and in consequence played a sound game. B. Frater was up against a stiff proposition and A. Frater, although inclinedl to hit too straight, did good work. Of the forwards, Reed and Anthony stood out beyond compare as far as individual work was concerned. Rykers played better in the centre. MOUNT EDEN ▼. ARETA. So far this season the Mount Eden team has not lost a game, therefore it was not a surprise for them to overcome Areta, still the big goal crop was. not expected, but it must be remembered that Areta fought an uphill light fielding one short. Far the greater part of the game Mount Eden held the advantage, conducting play on businesslike principles, and after Several attacks, succeeded in opening their account. ' Thereafter Areta were frequently on the defence and had the worst of the exchanges until the middle of the second spell. It was a marvellous change that suddenly took place; Areta, by vigorous, if not trnly scientific methods, completely disorgau ised the play of their opponents, making Mount Eden appear to be a badly be<tten 1 team. The storm did not last, and tefore the finish Mount Eden had not only made a good recovery, but also assumed control of the situation. The work 01 the Mount Eden forwards was in striking contrast to that of the oppofciito.i, and the most conspicuous figure in the Mount Eden five was Ash. The rast of the line also did their share, although Kelly has been seen to better advantage. In Jones on the right wing, Mount Eden possess a promising forward, although that may be stated about several other players who have come under the eye of the enthusiastic selector of the Mount Eden team.

At half-back Chaplin gave a good display, and did not allow much to pass him, while his hitting though a trifle hard at times was well directed.

Hedges performed beat in the first spell. At full-back Mainland stood up to the Areta onslaught in good style. L. Carter commenced a& a full-back, hut was in the forwards at the finish. J. Carter replaced him, and his hard speculators were a source of anxiety to the Mount Eden van.

Gurncy clcared effectively in the first It If.

One of the most untiring players fn the Areta rearguard was Ashley, and with a one-handed thrust frequently intercepted. Hughes accomplished a lot "f useful work. Savage was the most dangerous of a quartet of forwards, but they were all grafters. SOMERVILLE COLTS V. EPIPHANY. Although the Somervillc Colts sue ceeded in obtaining a victory over Epiphany it was not a very finished exhibi'ion of hockey. Certainly Someiville had the better of the argument in the first spell, but after the change ovei Epiphany were more in the picture and lost a couple of simple chances of scoring. On one occasion an Epiphany forward broke through the whole r* 1, -« defence and was so staggered that he did not realise that it was an opportune occasion to shoot, therefore the Somerville back had time to save before the delusion vanished, however, Somervillc were the better team on the day both back and forward. There seemed little life in the play of Epiphany, yet it Is too early in the season to lose their activity. The match between the teams at the extreme ends of the B section, Otahuhn and University, was much more keenly i-ontested than was expected, and proved rather enjoyable to both contestants. Quite a lot of the rough and ready work was conspicuous by its absence and more skill was in evidence. Varsity put up a good fight against the leaders in tne competition, and with* a little good fortune may have even added another check to their list of successes.

In the winners Gardiner again stood out as the best forward on the ground. Mengins and Jenkins lent good support. Saul was more reposeful than on the previous Saturday, and gave a good account of himself. Rivers and Everitt had charge of the Otahuhu defence.

Although the students' custodian had four goals against him he accounted foi some good shots. Burnett, at full-back, did good work. Storry, after taking part in the encounter between University and North Shore at two o'clock, was the pick of the halves. Taylor and Adams were about thp best of the forwards.

NEWS FROM VARIOUS QUARTERS.

Goals. Cb. V. W. L. D. F. A. Tts. iSt. Luke's . 4 3 - 1 6 7 iSomervllle .4 3 1 - 4 0 Alt. Bden ..4 2 - 2 14 8 0 University .4 1 2 1 It lo 3 .lAreta 4 1 3 - ~ .fNortb Shore 4 - 4 - 2 12 SECTION B. Goals. Ch. P. W. L. D. P. A. 1'ts. -Otahuhn .. 4 8 - 1 12 8 7 (Training Col 3 2 1-®5i ttamervUle .3111873 HQplphany ..312-572 'University .3-3-09-