HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 246, 17 October 1929, Page 16

HOCKEY.

GAME UNDER FLOODLIGHT. SOMEKVILLE AND ST. LUKE'S. ONE GOAL EACH. An innovation was introduced at Blandford Park last night, when a hockey match was played under electric light. The game was a decided success, and augers well for the enterprise of the Auckland Football Association and the Soraerville and St. Luke's hockey clubs. The result was a draw, one goal each. Many enthusiasts were of the opinion that the game would be highly dangerous in the electric light, but the players at times were more at home than in the daylight. Certainly there were occasions when they lost sight of the ball, but these minor disadvantages were' easily surmounted. The big hits also had a tendency to go through better than in the daylight. However, the long hitting facilitated rapid exchanges, and the scene of operations moved with surprising speed between the two goals. The game provided a good and highly interesting exhibition of hockey. St. Luke's had slightly the better of the encounter, but lacked finish in circle work. For St. Luke's Williams and Clark were excellent at full-back. Robertson was Been to great advantage as centrehalf, and Bay, back to the half line, excellent himself. Of the forwards J. Giles and Grace claim first mention. Smith was the better of Somerville's full-backs, and indulged in clever stickwork. Gardner was very sound, and saved some awkward situations. Cole was prominent at times, but Hunter showed to greatest advantage in the half line. C. Watts and Seccombe were the best of the forwards. Somerville reached the reds' twentyfive from the opening bully, where a free hit eased St. Luke's. A cross-hit enabled H. Watts again to advance, but Clark checked, and hit to Grace, and the" left wing, with a fine run and centre, had Somerville in trouble. A hard hit,enabled Chiplin to kick clear, but the relief was only temporary, for Giles and Burnett headed another raid to the circle. Chiplin cleared by hitting to Rogers, who transferred to E. Watts at the half line.-, A pass to Seccombn enabled the inner right to pierce the defence, but Clark nullified the effort and a twenty-five bully resulted. The ball came out to H. Watts, who raced down the line, but Williams stopped cleverly and hit to midfield. The Giles brothers and Burnett secured, and the St. Luke's van swept to the circle, and Somerrille conceded a penalty corner. The shot was intercepted, and Smith cleared, but Grace secured, and after a short run sent in a shot that Chiplin stopped on the corner of the net. Somerville then rallied, a good forward movement reaching St. Luke's quarter before Clark came across and stopped. A free hit enabled the reds to clear, and J. Giles passed to Wotherspoon. The right wing was blocked by Gardner at the expense of a corner. The whites cleared, and, headed by E. Watts, took play to the opposite, end of the field. A cross-hit was received just inside the circle by Peace, who sent in a clinking shot. Highfield, however, was equal .to the demands, taking the ball on his pads and clearing to his forwards. St. Luke's swept towards theSr opponents' circle, but were as rapidly driven back, a'fine movement by the whites' vanguard ending when Seccombe cross-hit to Peace, who failed to accept, and missed a fine scoring chance. E. Watts. Seccombe and H. Watts came away from the bully, and H. Watts finished the effort with a shot that just missed. A few moments later Robertson set his forwards in motion, and. St. Luke's forced Somerville to concede a penalty corner. A twenty-five bully ensued, and coming through again Wotherspoon finished the effort and beat the g'oalie. St. Luke's 1 Somerville 0 After changing ends St. Luke's became very aggressive, and J. Giles just missed the net. The reds continued to press hard for some time. Eventually Smith cleared to Cole, and thence the ball went to C. Watts, who missed the net. Long hitting by the backs kept up a scries of exchanges till Gardner hit to E. Watts, who went through and forced a corner. Up and down play was waged at a great, pace till Grace, with a splendid run down the line, reached the circle, but Smith stopped his progress and cleared. Wotherspoon, Burnett and J. Giles renewed the attack, but the whites' defence held. In the closing stages Somerville again penetrated the defence, and gained a penalty corner. The ball came to E. Watts, who shot and back flew the net. Time was then called, St. Luke's 1 Somerville 1 Messrs. G. Waddingham and R. Avery were the referees.