HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 212, 8 September 1930, Page 15

HOCKEY.

DEVONPORT SHIELD.

MT. EDEN AND SOMERVXLLE WIN.

ST. LUKE'S AND UNIVERSITY DKAW

Fortunately, a fine afternoon was sandwiched in between the showers, and the opening matches of the Devonport Shield eventuated under weather conditions. While the ground was not sloppy, it was inclined to be treacherous after the heavy soaking on Friday night. The programme set down for decision was all the more interesting as the meeting of the teams in the two principal matches provided some food for reflection, for it will be remembered that St. Luke's had recently defeated University in the closing stages of the Davis Cup competition. Furthermore, Mount Eden suffered defeat by North Shore, and lost their claim on the championship. Therefore, it was no little satisfaction for them to score a victory over their antagonists, avenging the defeat so soon after the Davis Cup struggle.

The game between University and St. Luke's was drawn, although St. Luke's accomplished more attacking, which did not materialise owing to poor shooting.

The match between Somerville and Wesley also furnished a close contest, the champions just managing to avert defeat.

ST. LUKE'S LOST OPPORTUNITIES. Although the game between University ancl St. Luke's was fast and open, considering the state of the ground, there was something lacking and play seldom furnished incidents of a stirring nature, i'et it contained at least two extremely tense and exciting situations, apart from the work attached to the scoring of the goal. The goal at the eastern end underwent a particularly heavy siege and it is miraculous how it escaped being taken by the students' van. A few moments later a St. Luke's sortie was only saved by inches. However, the game went on with rrequent quick changes, the scene of operations shifting constantly. One of the outstanding features was the struggle between the St. Luke's backs and the students' forwards. The students launched well-conceived attacks from all quarters, perhaps most coming from the right, especially in the second spell. But no matter from what direction, the St. Luke's Getcncc was seldom found wanting, although there was some power in the thrusts when not handicapped by the state of the ground. The St. Luke's onslaughts suffered in comparison with those of University, inasmuch as they fizzled out in front of goal. It must have been heart breaking for the St. Luke's backs and supporters to see the sorry exhibition of the St. Luxe's forwards m connection with nearly half a dozen corners in almost quick succession. Up to a certain point they were able to carve a number of passages into the students' defence, but they' appeared quite elementary performers in front of goal. The students' attackers were more convincing and they did serve up a much better display Of shooting, notwithstanding that their goal crop was no larger. Still it cannot be stated that their defence was quite as sound as that of the opposition, though it dealt effectively with anything the reds offered. Although Crawley was not severely bombarded, he accounted for the straggling shots in good style, but he blundered at a simple shot, when he was sensationally covered. At full-back Brown was safe and sound, while Ellison gave one of his best displays. Radcliffe showed out most prominently in the middle division. In the forward line, Hay engineered many attacks and his quick hitting was a source of danger. Seelens grafted hard and got away nicely at timos. Bestic, though not overburdened with work, executed liis portiou with credit. With Hanna out of action Franklin kept goal remarkably well, taking hot shots like a tradesman. F. Clark played a capital game at full-back and was a thorn in the side of the onposition. The halves were a very even lot, perhaps Williams and Kobertson being most in the limelight. The work of the forwards was marred by poor shooting and on the whole Grace was the best. MOUNT EDEN BEATS NORTH SHORE.

Mount Eden turned the tables on North Shore as the result of more confidence in their abilities. It was a varied sort of game, in which Mount Eden had slightly the better of exchanges. Their forwards showed more combination than the quintet composing the line of the trans-harbour eleven and throughout were better supported. At the start of the contest Mount Eden made most of their attacks on the right and for long periods the left was starved completely. In exchanges both sides intercepted cleverly at times, but as the strife continued, hard-hitting tactics were in evidence, followed by rapid sorties, in which Mount Eden had the advantage. With Parker absent it was anticipated that the Shore defence would not be as strong as usual, tint weakness was more apparent In the half line, and in consequence North Shore were sorely handicapped, both in attack and defence. They failed to reveal the form displayed in the previous encounter and Mount Eden regained lost laurels. Mainland was seen to greater advantage at full-back than on the previous Saturday and his work in repelling the Shore attack was of an uncanny nature at times. In the half line Hedges showed out most prominently. Jenkins worked well, but hit too hard "on occasions. There was an clement of danger in the movements of the forwards, still it was not cousistent. Wellbourne was the best of the line, although his centres were not forcible enough, and it was from a weak centre that the goal was scored. Chaplin, at inner-left, knows how to give a pass and he made several nice openings on the North Shore side. Rankin brought some cricket strokes into operation in clearing his goal. Allan bore the burden of the opposing attack, coining through the ordeal creditably. In a mediocre half line Frater was the most reliable The forwards were inconsistent, Reirt being the best performer on the day, while Carter was also active. but the pair did not receive sufficient work in the second spell.

JUST ENOUGH. After a very fast open game, f?omrrvllle, by a solitary goal, emerged victors in the ciash with Weslev. Roth teams had many splendid opportunities for scoring, and the inability of the players to add the finishing touches was at times very disappointing. Some very good work was witnessed in the field, but' over-anxiousuess was too pronounced in the circle. Somcrville had slightly the best of the issue, and on the dav were entitled to the win. The whites had the benefit of E. Watts as right wing forward, and his presence was felt. I< rom many of the centres he served the inner men had great chances, but failed. At times some very good work was done by C. Watts and Seceorabe, but in general combination in the front line was missing. Willmott, who earlier in ,the season apneared for University, figured as centrehalf, but his efforts were patchy. The half line was not up to requirements. Both Smith and Gardiner did all that was asked of them as full-backs, while Butler, from the juniors, made a very creditable showing in charge of the net. For Wesley Donovan again shaped well as goalie, while Michel and Fleet,"full-backs, repeatedly saved many awkward situations. As left winn-forward Roberts made some fine openings that were not accepted. With care he should have finished a great solo effort by netting. Burton in the closing stages was very penetrating, and deserved to meet with greater success.

GRADE GAMES. SECOND GRADE. Otahuhu 3, beat Wesley 1. St Luke's 4, beat Somerville 1. 'Varsity A 5. beat Training College 2. FOURTH GRADE.—(KNOCK-OUT.) Mount Eden 1, beat Papatoetoe 0. FIFTH GRADE. Auckland Grammar B beat Mount Albert Grammar A by default. Auckland Grammar A 3, beat Mount Albert Grammar B 1. Mount Albert Grammar C 3, beat Somerville 2. GAMES IN SOUTH. MASTERTON. The representative hockey match between Wairarapa and Wellington lady junior teams was played this afternoon and ended in a draw, one goal each after a good game. INVERCARGILL. The ladies' hockey final between Wellington and Eastern ended in a draw, each side scoring two goals. Each holds the "K" Cup for six months.

INTER-ISLAND MATCH. NORTH AND SOUTH LADT REPS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, Saturday. The following lady hockey players have been selected to represent the North and South Islands:— , North Island. —Goalkeeper, M. Playle (Wairarapa) ; full-backs. R. Hawea (right, Manawatu), E. Mitchell (left, Rotorufl.), captain; half-backs, F. Mitchell (right, Rotorua), B. Charles (centre, Wellington), E. Robson (left, Manawatu) ; forwards, F. Highfield (right wing. Manawatu), M.Wilkins (right inner, Wellington), F. Booth (centre forward. Wairarapa), .T. Harper (left inner, Wellington), Miller (left wing, Wairarapa). Reserves: K. Miller 'P ac *» Wellington), Booth (Wairarapa) and G. Rodgers (Rotorua). South Island.—Goalkeeper, H. Johnstone (Otago) ; full-backs, R. Burt (Southland), V. Clark (North Otago), N. Olsen (West Coast), V. Guthrie (South Canterbury) j half-backs, M. Fowle (Southland), L. Vidal (Otago), W. Stanton (Eastern Southland) M. Blagdon (Otago) ; forwards M. Mcol (Eastern Southland), M. Guy (South Canterbury), M. Mclntyre (Southland), K. Bond (Eastern Southland), R. Hunt to play-offs rendered necessary by the sectional draws the above match was not played during the present tournament.

LADIES' GAMES. = SENIOR GRADE. MS Clevedon 3, beat Mount Eden 1. p; Kiwi 1, drew with Y.W.C.A. 1. Wesley 6, beat Papatoetoe 0. JUNIORS. U; Technical A 2, beat Y.W.C.A. 0. Ngaro 3, beat Manurewa 0. Xgataringa 1, beat Papakura 0. Wesley A 2, beat Clevedon 1. TE AROHA. Kennedy Cup.—Te Aroha 2, beat Paeroa