HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 115, 17 May 1932, Page 12

HOCKEY.

WELL-CONTESTED GAMES. SOMERVILLE AND ST. LUKE'S SIX POINTS EACH. FALL OF NORTH SHORE. In the third series of matches, the principal attraction was the meeting of Soinerville and North Shore. In fact the game provided the first real test between the stronger teams. Although University beat Shore in the first game of the season, the latter have since consolidated, and the contest was considered one of much, importance. After a tough struggle the Somerville forwards prevailed, and they managed to secure the narrowest of victories, by three goals to two. Although the game between University and Mount Eden was considered a good thing for the students, they only obtained the odd goal in the closing stages of the play. At Walker Park Wesley put up a good fight against St. Luke's, who fielded a somewhat depleted team. Nevertheless the latter won by three goals to one. SOMERVILLE'S POWER.

Invested with almost every phase of hockey, though portions were rather limited, the struggle between Somerville and North Shore was very stubbornly contested. It was a grim encounter, in which the standard of hockey varied, especially in extended combined play, but opportunities to develop the artistry of the game were seldom presented. The game revealed the fighting qualities of the Somerville vanguard, and no one worked harder than Eric Watts at centre-forward, while he was also the master mind of the C. Watts, cool and collected, played in the open, and his dash in the circle was a menace to the opposing defence. Wellbourne showed to greater advantage in the first spell. Willmott has seldom given a better display at centre-half, being stronger in defence than usual. Gurr got through a tremendous amount of work in good style. Smith was outstanding at full-back, and extricated the side from some awkward situations.

It cannot be stated that the Shore forwards made the most of their opportunities, while they did not tackle the Somerville backs with their usual vim. In fact the latter appeared to have a free hand at times. Nor did the line reveal much attempt at combination. Too much play of an individual nature was indulged in. Frequently they tried to reach the goal by the shortest route, with the result that the intentions were as clear as daylight to the opposition. They may have fared better by extending attacks, and worked more on the left flank, especially when it was difficult to find a vulnerable point to break through. Somerville had a tendency to work to the left. North Shore followed in the same direction, and operated chiefly on the right flank. Of the forwards, P. Anthony started brilliantly, but; later found progress to be difficult. Jones did well at inner left, but neglected his wing. Reed gained ground when the ball came his way, but his opportunities were limited. Monteith made some good runs on the right.

Amongst the halves Wilson was up against a tough proposition, and performed very well. In catering for the forwards his hits were frequently intercepted. Storry, after settling down, gave a sound display. Allen was the more effective of the full-backs, checking many advances with resolute hitting. LOST CHANCES.

Instead of a victory for St. Luke's by 3 goals to 1 over Wesley a drawn game would have been a truer indication of the general run of play. _ A lack of confidence in themselves to finish off movements at the critical moment was the real cause of the Wesley players' failure. In the early stages the reds' forwards were somewhat troublesome, but Michel and Burton offered a stubborn defence. It was in the second spell, with the ground's grade in their favour, that Wesley showed to advantage. The tactics of working the right of the line were correct, and succeeded in drawing St. Luke's defence to that side of the ground. Unfortunately, with that much accomplished, the movement of sending the ball to the almost unmarked player on the left was seldom adopted. When it did occur the reds were placed in danger, and to a great extent Wesley's weakness in the circle helped the defenders to remove the danger. St. Luke's team kept better position throughout. Wesley's inner forwards crowded, and the half line played too far back, often crowding the full-backs, but the greatest fault was not supporting the forwards. Of the winners, F. Clark did all that was asked of him at full-back. Robertson, centre-half, was in the thick of everything, and anticipated the opposition movements cleverly. N. and W. Burnett were the best of the forwards. Speedy put in some splendid work in charge of Wesley's net. The full-backs, Michel and Burton, were very safe. Surman indulged in too much one-handed play in the half line. Sharpies, left halt, played out of position, more often being found hampering the full-back, instead of supporting the forwards. Iviff was best of the forwards, and made progress when the ball went his way. His goal was a good effort. Slaney, right wing, tapped the ball too much instead of hitting it, a failure that greatly marked W. Hayson s efforts.

A MODERATE PERFORMANCE. After their two recent performances it is difficult to realise that University defeated North Shore, m the first game of tho season. Against fat. .buke s, although the score was only two to nil, they gave an indifferent display, and were lucky to escape so lightly. Ratcliffe has been absent, and to make matters worse Ellison joined him on the side-line last Saturday owing to an injured foot. All the misfortune was not with the students, as Monnt Eden, through illness, were compelled to fill vacancies and reorganise their selection. Yet, chiefly through activity and nippy work, they held a strong grip of the game until the end. Certainly play was often in their territory, and they were frequently forced to take the part of defenders during the second spell, yet they did not yield until the game was almost finished. As the result of two performances under entirely different circumstances, University may find it worth while considering whether a little rearrangement of thenforward line would not improve matters. In all play last Saturday Bay stood out

most prominently, yet he was not plied wim suliicient worii at the l'igiit time. The rest of the line seldom rose to the occasion, although accomplishing a certain amount of work. Smith, besides escaping from the penalty bully so simply, did good work in the middle division. JSloakes, lor his first appearance, played a sound game, and liit with judgment. Brown shaped well at full-back, breaking the impetuous attacks of the Mount Eden van. Robinson found the nippy forwards troublesome.

Although they did not win, Mount Eden were by no means disgraced, for they put up a creditable perlonmance, notwithstanding that their hockey was not truly orthodox. Onslaughts were swift and determined, though without much cohesion, in which Fletcher usually took a very active part. J. Horspool made some attempt towards combined play, while his stick work was very useful. The halves were frequently astray, and the bulk of the detence fell u'xm the two full-backs. It was a new position for Ash, but he gave an excellent account of himself in stopping and clearing. A. Horspool also did his share, frequently with accurate hitting. Oliver was beaten by a tricky shot in the early stages of the game, but did not suil'er much bombardment.