HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 173, 24 July 1928, Page 12

HOCKEY.

AN INVASION FROM THAMES. THE SECTION WINNERS. SOMERVILLE AND OTAHUHU. With only a match to play to complete the A section of the senior competition and no possible hope of shifting Somerville frem the head of affairs, senior hockey was extended by the visit of a couple of teams from the ThamesHauraki sub-Association. It wu not seriously anticipated that the visitors would be capable of extending the opposition that offered, in fact, a leading Thames supporter was extremely modest in suggesting that experience was the main object of the trip. The local executive, did their part in putting a couple of the best available elevens against the visitors, still it could not be stated that they were treated to much in the way of scientific hockey, play generally being of a drab nature, However, in witnessing the struggle between University and Somerville they wtfre somewhat recompensed, for it was a most exciting encounter, with the result' in doubt until the very end. For Somerville to go dowa three times in one season is something of a record, and, M stated by their skipper, they have acquired "the losing habit." Great credit is due to the students for their effort, and as a result they now take second place In the section. St. Luke's did not have much trouble in winning their game against Thames, the score being seven goals to two. On the adjoining ground the combined team also won easily, running up a tally of eight goals "without a reply.

Otahuhu are! Training College played a drawn game, while University Colts accounted for Epiphany by a ■olitary goal. The Students' Best. Although Cornervilie had the satisfaction of winning the A section, and .barring accidents should have little difficulty in accounting for the actual championship, University fought such a gallant action that they had every reason to be gratified with the result, for they gained a well deserved victory by three goals to two. From start to finish the game was exciting, and full of incident. At half-time the scores were even, then, after change over, University established a two-goal lead, but Sozn«cville reduced the margin, and then • flbattle ensued between the Jemwrrtfle forwards and the students' jNuf*) despite several corners the University defence just managed to survive the hot bombardment until time waa callcd. Notwithstanding that, Somerville relied principally upon their usual methods, the students' vanguard gave a convincing display. Many of their advance* were not only well conceived, but excellent in development, and it was in no small measure due to these tactics that the Somerville middle division were frequently baffled and in trouble, which meant that the Somerville forwards did not receive the necessary support in their own manoeuvres. _ Following the defeat, of Somerville by Mount Eden, the students' supporters •**[* eonfldent that it would be a close they undewent many anxious .before the game finished.

Some of the work of the champions towards the end of the struggle deserved a better fate, but there was no question about the soundness of the .defence. Sparling, North and Winn, all stopped lightning shots sent in with unerring accuracy by* the two Watts from corners conceded by Warsity during the It was not through lack of perseverance that Somerville did not succeed in winding up the competition with a victory, as at least two of the shots during the final effort would have been productive under ordinary circumstances. Yet the students' play was for the most part stamped with confidence, although at no stage were they actual masters of the situation.

The students' custodian, Winn, extricated his side from a couple of critical situations towards the finish. . Both full-backs acquitted themselves well, North being the most reliable. The bulk of the work in the half line went to Storry and Radcliffe. The big fellow covered a lot of ground, and hit well. Philpott was in capital form and scored a clinking goal, but Hamilton and Don also rendered excellent service.

The outstanding forwards on the Somerville side were Eric and Clive Watts. They made strenuous effort 3 towards the end in an attempt to retrieve the position. Seccombe came to light with a good goal. At half-back Cole' was the best, but there was plenty of room for improvement. During the greater part of the game Gardiner maintained his form as a full-back.

ST. LUKE'S V. THAMES. At the commencement of the game Thames revealed their best qualities and gained the lead, but were not long in the ascendency, nevertheless they battled away gamely, although goals were scored by the opposition at frequent intervals. The game on the whole was rather ragged, being free from brilliant movements and incidents. Perhaps it reached its most exciting stages during the earlier portion of the second spell, when a great deal of quick action play took place in front and close to the pavilion. The work in the circle did not rouse much enthusiasm, as it was often of an indecisive nature and with a number cf chances lost despite that the total reached half a score but one, the shooting was not convincing, with perhaps the exception of a couple of shots, the majority of goals being from simple shots. Most of the attacking on both sides was accomplished by smart sorties and chiefly from strokes by the rearguard. Occasionally St. Luke's did employ wing tactics, but chiefly from the right, and they were well catered for from that direction. On the day Butler and Bay were most prominent in the attack. The halves were patchy, Stee e and Robertson getting the most work There was little to choose between full-backs. Thames played a bustling type of game, being quick on the ball, but their methods lacked the artistic touch necessary to achieve the best results, while the bulk of their work in the rearguard was almost free from wild hitting, which is usually associated with teams lacking smooth grounds. The forward lire figured in some rough and ready movements. Perhaps the best piece of work was accomplished from the left, the bi" travelling between four forwards before it was intercepted by Williams. The centre-forward, Menzie, appeared to be a left-handed player, like several of his comrades, and only capable of feeding with the reverse stroke when on tfce move. Candy made progress on the rigl't flank and scored a clever goal with a reverse shot.

Laird, at centre-half, sent the ball out both ways with judgment. Donkin played with more confidence than his partner, who was too fond of seeking safety at the expense of corners. Martin opened well, but something was lacking in the last line of defence to enable the goal to be taken so frequently.

WHIPPETS WIN AGAIN. University whippets were not denied the opportunity of adding another victory. to the solitary one gained over Somerville Colts last Saturday, as they gained two more points at the expense of Epiphany, the only team that had the least possible chance of getting, within striking distance of Otahuhu. By a system of calculation there was a very remote chance that Epiphany could get on level terms with the leaders, debiting Otahuhu with losses and crediting Epiphany with wins, but those calculations went completely astray, for Otahuhu played a drawn game with Training College, which was sufficient to shatter all prognostications, and to make matters worse Epiphany went under to the Whippets. The game, though only mediocre in quality, was none the less enjoyable, and there is no question that the goal scored by the students' rightwinger was something out of the ordinary, being shot from an acute angle almost parallel with the goal and going into the net high up in the corner. Other players of note for the students we r e Taylor and Simpson in the forwards, Smith in the halves. Epiphany were oue short. Hewitt and J. Mills were the most prominent in the front line. Winks performed best of the halves, and C. Mills was satisfactory at full-back.

A DRAWN. GAME. When there would have been some excuse for defeat Training College took it into their heads to prevent Otahuhu from raising a goal crop at their expense meeting them with tactics which if not tainted with a suspicion of football were certainly not invested with much in the way of scientific hockey. Nevertheless it was a close struggle, and the Collegians had the satisfaction of drawing with the leaders in the section. The result of the match practically decides the winners of B section, as Otahuhu hold such a substantial lead that further games cannot affect their position. A WELCOME SURPRISE. Although Somerville had the senior championship safely in their keeping, one match remained to "be played with University. Many hockevites doubted the wisdom df playing the game in view of the programme ahead, but as events turned out it proved one of the best displays of the season. Jumping into their stride quickly the students dominated' the situation, and it was recognised that a battle much above the ordinary would ensue. So it proved. The best team on the day won. Where Somerville shone was in their anticipation and ability to accept openings. For the winners North was the best of the full-backs. Radcliffe was in great form, giving one of the best displays of the season. The manner in which he sent the bafl across to Phillpott when the winning goal was scored displayed very heady play. Storey was sound, but Tizard patchy. Hamilton and Don were always conspicuous forward, while Phillpott, on the left wing, gave a wonderful display. The third goal he shot was one of his best efforts. For Somerville Chiplin was moderate in charge of the net. Gardner proved very safe at full-back, and repeatedly extricated the team from some awkward situations. Cole was the strength of the half line, offering a stubborn defence and opening eome fine attacking movements. C. Watts claims first mention among the forwards, but -his shooting powers suf- | fered an off day. E. Watts opened many fine movements and was ever a source of worry to the opposition.

VISITORS OUTCLASSED. Pitted against a combined eleven of At ota and North Shore players, a Thames B team engaged in the most one-sided game seen at the popular convincing ground for a long time. The visitors, some of whom displayed a very elementary knowledge of the game, were hopelessly outclassed from the outset. The local'players, quickly sizing up the position, acted kindly and eased up their effort. Eight goals were run on, but if matters had been taken seriously the figures would have been considerably increased. The visitors spent nearly all the time inside their own twenty-five. Any individual comment would be unwarranted. THE SHIELD ELEVEN. In setting out the representative team to defend the shield against Waikato at Reniuera next Saturday afternoon, the selector, Mr. W. Newsham, has chosen a very strong forward line, and if the members of the quintet can only reproduce the form displayed in the early stages of the game with the country reps., then the backs of the challengers will find a pretty stiff proposition to contend against. Besides being capable performers in the open and clever with the stick, there is not the least shadow of doubt about their ability in the circle. Reid has rapidly risen to the forefront of local hockey as a wing player. Anthony works well with the former and uses his stick to advantage. E. Watts and C. Watts are both well known. Philpotts is exceptional as a left winger, a position that has been difficult to fill for years. Amongst the backs there is not the same amount of confidence, still they have all proved capable performers and in the middle division all three have figured in first-class hockey. Cole was a member of the last New Zealand team to tour Australia, while he also took part with credit in the third Test match against the Indians at Eden Park. Still his work this season has not been so reliable, although he has improved in recent games. Both Radcliffe and Steele were recommended for selection in the last New Zealand touring team, but were unable to obtain the necessary leave. Gardiner plays a sound game at fullback and is resourceful. Williams has done well in club matches, but was not so prominent against the country reps. Like his clubmate, Highfield has not had any experience in representative hockey beyond the try out on the previous Saturday, therefore the performance against the Waikato representatives will be awaited with interest.

JUNIOR GRADES. THE CHAMPIONSHIP TABLES. The following are the positions in the championship lists of the junior grades prior to last Saturday's games: — SECOND GRADE. Goals Oh. P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Mount Kden .. 11 10 — 1 61 22 21 St. Luke's ... 11 9 2 — 48 14 18 Wesley 11 6 4 1 35 32 13 Papatoetoe ... 11 7 4 — 22 14 14 Epiphany 11 1 5 5 19 30 7 University 11 2 7 2 29 39 6 Somerville 11 1 8 2 25 55 4 Areta 11 1 9 1 16 4!> 3 | THIRD GRADE. Auckland Gram. 11 9 — 2 55 12 20 Waitemata ... 11 9 1 1 40 T 19 University B . 11 7 3 1 22 15 15 University A . 11 4 5 2 19 28 10 Mount Eden 11 4 6 1 27 45 9 Train. College 11 3 6 2 29 36 8 Wesley A .... 11 1 8 2 14 43 4 Wesley B .... 11 1 9 1 17 37 3 FOURTH GRADE. St. Luke's .... 11 9 — 2 68 13 20 Otahuhu 11 7 2 2 36 22 16 University ... 11 « 2 3 32 21 15 Somerville ... 11 3 6 2 17 40 8 Papatoetoe ... 11 2 9 — 13 48 4 Auckland Gram. 11 1 9 1 17 30 3 FIFTH GRADE. Mount Eden . • 8 7 1 — 39 ."14 Mt. Albert A . 8 7 1 — 80 3 14 Mt. Albert B . 8 6 2 — 56 19 12 Mt. Albert C . 7 2 4 1 13 33 5 -Vuck Gram. A 8 3 5 21 38 6 Auck. Gram B I, 1 £ *1 *L* \ Auck. Gram C 8 — 7 X 1 58 1