HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 215, 11 September 1928, Page 16

HOCKEY.

THE DEVONPORT SHIELD. SOMERVILLE AND ST. LUKE'S LEADING. OTAHUHU SUKPBISED. The fourth series of matches in connection with the Devonport Shield eventuated last Saturday afternoon, when the four principal. teams figured in the two most important games without making; any difference in the leading positions. Somerville and St. Luke'e •re still at the top. Fortunately a fine afternoon was-sandwiched in during the week-end t and the games were played under better conditions than anticipated. The surprise of the day was the two goals to one victory of Somerville Colts over Otahuhu, Winners of the B section. It will be remembered that Otahuhu went, through the cup competition without sustaining a defeat, so there is little wonder that the Colts were rather pleased with their effort. In a close contest Somerville beat University by three goals to one, St. Luke's had the better of the struggle in their game with Mount Eden, winning by tnree goals to one, and Training College accounted for University Whippets to the extent of three goals to nil.

MOT/NT, EDEN'S FAILURE* It was expected that the contest between St. Luke's and Mount Eden would furnish an exciting encounter. Unfortunately for Mount Eden Kelly was absent. Still that is not a sufficient excuse for the decisive defeat of the browns. For some reason or other Mount Eden appeared on the field with their forward line completely reversed; probably handy experience in versatility for the players, but hardly conducive to match winning. At half-time the old order was adopted. Throughout the game St. Luke's were masters of the situation, although Mount Eden were first/to score. Two goals in the first six minutes was something to conjure with, but the first spell ended without,any further score, and the expectation of a big goal crop was shattered. After their rally on the previous Saturday the play of Mount Eden was rather disappoint* ing. The forwards lacked combination, and any advance was of an individual nature. The backs were not nearly so active as usual, although they must be credited with stubborn defence qualities after St. Luke>*ttack had Certainly the ground was against tip performance of good hockey. xYetlßt. Luke's carried out ntany good movements which did not come to grief until the Mount Eden circle was reached, when Mount Eden defence put up a gallant .last-moment effort. , 'Still the failure of St. Luke's attack temateriillie each week is sufficient evidence that weak shooting has been responsible for losses during the season. , >Up to a certain stage they give a good all-round display, both back and forward, ; but the efforti are wasted owing to the lack of understanding and shooting in the circle. On the rough ground some of their work was quite good, and nothing was better than the breaking away of Bay, innerleft, and Hookham's work on the right flank. J. Giles, at, centre, had a hand in thei conception also. Of a sound halfback line Steele and Robertson were the most nrominent. The former it proving useful as a goal-getter. Both fulf-backsf net i,* nd Williams, were reliable. •tEl!** 0 "?* ■*■•*!»»»«*■ made little 2£SBl £ * comb!lu . n *' * nd ' notwithstanding that, fevera , flne j otindi , *Mnal play eventuated, ft had a very sound combination of backs to evade befOTo reaching the St. Luke's circle, end roccest was not sufficient to give the St. ™»«*aMe amount of stat«J M *w forthcoming, and it may be lost their grip of the game. However, they recovered sufficiently to »**« • lighting finish. u ™ c,enM y *> &■£&*£? V™*™** » *he Mount Surman did better tot£&£? *? L lie half-backs were »ly moderate, and the same mar be ftSsiftß *•■ forward., Atexandir «d Ash being the best of the quintet

. POINTS AT LAST. i£as£?&9 *%*• *7 three goal. Twfafag College obtained their tot pointsinider Devonport Shield StioS! K 2 le «•««• between *« VOIS Col1 *S« showed more cohesion n their movements. For teams occupy" petition Play the game contained some good work. After being prominent in the griy stages of thellecorid a,3l 35 Whjppets were forced to assume the 2±! 8, I e ' * nd 'or the remainder of the GEI 0011688 held the W' thr"nWoi3feS ,leffe W *'™#°» wa. sheet f BOB ? 6 with * clean full-back ft? ? R med the honow » •* MdWejohn, Jftfl evem >i and •"•*-• wWJ. Je y rr\ 0 „V h llmrwer! the most conspicuous of the vanguard!

B SECTION AFFAIRS. With three losses to their credit s«». villa Colt, were Section rival* in Otahuhu, and did the Colt, perform thatthe? e«e«2 iui \5.! C ? lt * d ever y confidence in theirabihty to extend the winners of tS B Sectum, but matter, did not appe2 to be going in that direction w&PJE game started. Otahuhu took full control for a time, but when Somerville from the "shock" tactics the? nolllw combated but also accomplished then J£rtr*? at * ack i n » h 7 »«thods which were effective if not as scientific as uerformed against St. Luke's. Throughout the game play was of a scrappy nature although toward, the finish it improve!' Otahuhu made a desperate late effort to equalise, but the Somerville defence held For the winner. Cooper gave a glimpse of hJa ability in goal. Smith w aa the WZmtatiVlrP- Staintonaud Heard did their full share a. half-back. whlla*roton, Edward, and McNab per: formed well in the forwards. rt, Otahuhu goalie, Nield, made some •? d 4 }» a 80 « nd di«. •lay at Jnll-back. Hughes, though indhMd *o roam in quest ef work and the the £lves. J* Gardener,Jenkins;'and Cochran* were hardrW^vknig, forwards.

j WHEN CONDITION TOLD. J A, very interesting encounter was witnessed between Somerville and St. Luke's, and for the greater portion of the play a drawn game seemed likely. 'In the closing stages, however, the whites' condition told, and the students failing to maintain the pace had to bow to defeat. The outstanding features of the game was the great defence offered by the students. The winners displayed the best team work, and their attacks, etnce in or near the proximity of the circle, were better sustained. Varsity's forwards, on the other hand, were not supported, as the I half line played too far back. These methods taxed the blues' forwards too much, and little wonder that they failed to drive home the attack. While so many of the Somerville on T slaughts were made from the centre, it was most noticeable that the left-wing was used more often than usual, and the benefits of the practice was most marked. Of the winners' forwards E. Watts was most conspicuous, figuring in every attack. Peace came well into the limelight, and his two goals were the result of very nippy work, but why the "smile" when the net flew back the second time.

C. Watts was ever useful, while Seccombe was more prominent, but seemed surprised with the "offside" rule. Munro's inclusion in the half-line was an improvement, and it would be advantageous to leave him there. Cole and Sogers were both patchy. Smith's inclusion at fullback was a success, and he brought off some fine work. A trifle slow, but sure, he seldom failed to connect. , Gardiner was sound, but has been seen to greater advantage. Brown and North as full-backs for the students gave a pleasing display, for they had a difficult afternoon's work. Storey was the most consistent of the halves, but at times Radcliffe's work reached a high standard. Ellison was solid rather than brilliant. Forward, Phillpotts had an off-day; it was hard to recognise him as the Tarsity left-winger. Both Hamilton; and Seelan worked hard, while Hay, on the right wing, has seldom been ■f 6 ™ *? such * g°od mood. It was very disappointing to see the manner in which many of his centres were not accepted.