HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 133, 7 June 1932, Page 13

HOCKEY.

AUCKLAND ASSOCIATION. TWO MORE X.Z. NOMINATIONS. At thi> rortnislitl.v mooting of Hie Auckland Hockey Association two additional nominations were approved Tor (lie New Zcnlnnd 'earn to tour Australia. They werp: K. Ounning (Rodnev) and M. Bay (University). Advice was received from the New Zealand Hockey Association that 36 nominations had been received for the Xew Zealand team, and also that <he calibre of the players made it certain that n good team will be sent to Australia.

The Auckland-Waikato match for the New Zealand Challenge Shield will be played on .Tnne IS. The curtain-raiser will be betweeu Mount Kden and Thames. All competition games will be. postponed on that date. Mr. A. G. Williams was appointed referee for the shield match, nnd Mr. W. Nttwshani was appointed mauager of the Auckland team. It was decided to play an A and B trial match on .Saturday at Remuera, commencing at 3.5 o'clock. The usual senior club matches will be played at 1.50 o'clock.

.Application for the affiliation of the Wallil Hockey Association wrs held over pending negotiations with the Thaniesllauraki Association.

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS.

SOMERVILLB STILL LEAD. With University away at the_ annual tournament, the senior competition was limited to a couple of games last Saturday afternoon, the draw bringing together the strong and the -weak. Therefore the games did not provide the usual enthusiasm.

The meeting of St. Luke's and Mount Eden was considered the better game, but after the opening stages there was little remarkable in the operations from a scientific point of view. Eventually St. Luke's won by three goals to nil.

Previously, on th 6 same ground, Somerville obtained a five-goal victory over Wesley, but both teams were compelled to fill up with juniors.

WESLEY OUTPLAYED.

Although the contest between Somerville and Wesley eventuated under favourable conditions and oii a firm ground, though a trifle bumpy, it was rather a disappointing affair, especially after the brilliant struggles provided at the end of the fust round.

Occupying positions at the opposite ends of the competition, it was not anticipated that Wesley would be strong enough to check the sequence of victories established by their more formidable rivals, but, with Somerville eleven depleted by the abeenee of two notable performers in C. Watts and Gardner, a good opportunity was presented to Wesley. Unfortunately the latter were unable to make the most of it, also lacking two of their beet.

Under the circumstances it wae only natural that Somerville team was not worked up to concert pitch. Still, the remnant of Wesley made a stubborn fight, and at half-time Somerville had managed to notch only a couple of goals. At times the Somerville forwards gave glimpses of their rare qualities, and it was then that the Wesley defenders were compelled to waver, so they suffered defeat by five goals to nil.

E. Watts was the outstanding forward on the Somerville aide, and his wizardry frequently astonished the opposition. Wellborne played a dashing game in his new position, and shot quickly and fast. Glanville also assisted in accelerating the pace. Tn the middle division Giirr and Hedges were most noticeable, but their tasks were not difficult. The goalie and full-backs were seldom extended.

Wesley had little opportunity of launching attacks, as play was chiefly in their territory, nnd whenever they did manage to get away the work was of a ragged order and lacked cohesion. Of the line. Beer was the most conspicuous, while Kin also grafted hard. At half-back Fleet grafted like a Trojan, despite the fact that lie was knocked out twice. Allan Burton has seldom experienced a more busy time, and performed remarkably well against the incessant Somerville eortips. Roberts met with a certain amount of success in connecting with the ball when at fullback, but in the half line found the pace too fast.

INDIVIDUAL EFFORT

When the St. Luke's and Mount Eden team* took the iield it was recognised that both possessed strong elevens, aTid hopes were entertained that a bright display of hockey would be witnessed. Activitiee opened with an inclination for combined play, but it was not long before the. spectators were disappointed, and doomed to witness individual effort. It was indeed a very mediocre game. The ground was somewhat bumpy, sufficient to account for players miss-hitting the ball sometimes, but was not responsible for the lack of combination. Repeatedly a fovwaid would break away, and although his team mates were in position, ready for a pas«. it xsoldom came. On the run of the game St. Luke's had decidedly the best of the exchanges, and although three goals were recorded in the rede' favour (he tally would have been much greater but for the hue goal-keeping of Oliver. McLeod and T. Clark in the half line were the best of St. Luke's backs, and while difficult to get past also cleared and placed the ball to advantage. X. Burnett and Vipond proved most prominent forward. Brown had plenty of chances, but continually over-ran the ball, while Grace, with one-handed efforts and offside, lost innumerable opportunities. His goal was •', splendid effort from a sharp angle shot. The Mount Kden goalie. Oliver, again gave n splendid display, showing very clearly that if not crowded bv hie backe he knew how to deal with the shots. Horspool claims full-back honours, and repeatedly extricated the team from awkward situations. M. .Tone* Was going well in the half line until an injury eaueod his retirement", but upon returning, although lees vigorous, gave a sound display. THetcher and Ash proved best of the forwards. Horspool went too far. and hung to the ball too long before centring. Clark had few chances, but always rondo the most of them.