HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 143, 19 June 1934, Page 14

HOCKEY.

SOMERVILLE'S BELATED EFFORT. BLOW TO WESLEY, PAPATOETOE AND UNIVERSITY. The championship fixtures were continued last Saturday afternoon, under ideal weather conditions, although play was hampered by the bumpy nature of .the turf, Players found it difficult to control the ball, and this was most noticeable in the fiuer and more intricate movements. On tlie main ground a great battle ensued i between Somerville and Wesley. The J newcomers l ose to the occasion, and took full advantage of the failings of Somerville I until the last ten 'minutes, when the ; latter, in an amazing finish, rattled on goals in quick time, to win by five goals to three. At Papatoetoe the home team fully extended University, and the latter only escaped with a draw—three goals each —the students scoring just before time. St. Luke's had no difficulty in registering a win over North Shore, running up a total of six goals to one.

| SOM ER VI LLE'S FEAT.

v Somerville, as the result of a wonderful efiort in liie' last, ten minutes, gained u raiiier sensational- victory over Wesley. It was siieer grit and determination on tne part ol tuc Bonierviiie van that brought auout the last moment success when it seemed that Wesley, holding a lead of two goals and playing a rciuaiiiabie game, could not be beaten. Amongst the features of the game was the eilicieiit manner in which Wesley tackled such dougiily opponents, and play during tne greater part of tlie time gave no indication that a victory to Somerville would follow, so it was a great blow to Wesley and their supporters. Wesley made the pace from the start, and indulging in some good movements from either Hank carved passages through the Somerville defence and scored two goals in succession, while their defence prevented Somerville from developing their usual penetrating methods, although it must be remembered that Somerville s tactics were sadly hampered by the state of the ground in iront or the western goal. After the interval (J. Watts, who had played at inner right, and Wellbourne inner-left, reverted to their old positions, so when Somerville got the run of tiie ball Wesley experienced the full weight of the attack, and C. Watts, back at inner-left, gave his most convincing display of the season during the hectic ten minutes' assault on the Wesley goal. E. Watts was a glutton tor work, and to bis efforts goes much of the credit of the achievement. Wellbourne was the only other forward who rendered substantial aid.

The halves were unable to cope with the telling attacks of Wesley in the first spell, Heard showing up best. Boswell fortunately came to light to assist in the recovery. Parker and Smith were not so reliable under pressure as usual. Evidently the swift and ex'tended movements of the Wesley van caused no little disturbance to the defenders. v

Wesley's great effort for the major portion of the game was shorn of its glory by tlio collapse of the halves under the pressure of the whirl of the Somerville attacks, and it may be stated that the centre link was not equal to the strain. Until the final stages the full-backs never wavered, and during Wesley's ascendency were brilliant at times. Burton was cool and precise, and gave the Somerville forwards little quarter when they were attempting to regain control of the ball in the first spell. Surman played his part well. In the forward lino l'hilpott lias not played better for a long time, and his goal was- quite typical of his halcyon days. >.eate worked hard, and was really dangerous around the goal. Chapman, oil the right flank, centred well, but had a tendency to go too far at times. KifF, though not an artist, gave a good display.

A DRAWN GAME.

Although the Papatoetoc team lias not won a match, University, like St. Luke's and Soniervilie, found tliem 110 mean opponents. It was a close struggle, but only fairly interesting play, especially in tlic first spell, being scrappy and ragged, while combination was conspicuous by its absence. In the second half there was a little better hockey, and Avith Papatoetoc 111 the lead play became more exciting, still there was prccious little in the way of combined movements. In goal for tiie students Captain Brown dealt ably with the majority of shots. At full-back Ivobinson was the more reliable. Forster gliaped better. Pickens got through some good work. Watson was fairly successful, and Broun is 011 the improve. Individuality dominated play, and both Lawry and Floyd scored from solo efforts. Frascr centred well at times. Although Airey did not have so many shots served up, ne made some good saves.. Lusby really shaped the better of the full-backs, but Leonard proved a stumbling block. At • alt-back Kerr was more active than appearance denoted, and played a capital game. V. Smytheman and Leaning lent good support. The influence of Bay was soon apparent, and he was outstanding. Middlcton accomplished good work on the wing.

A DRAB DISPLAY.

Although the Shoreites had visions of fully extending St. Luke's, tlie game had not been in progress long when the marine suburbs players found the calculations very much at fault. St. Luke's were quickly away with sharp attacks from all directions, and dominated the situation. The green and whites were forced back to defensive tactics, but despite their efforts in this direction the reds put on three goals in the first 12 minutes. The state of the ground assisted several other shots to miss the uprights. After St. Luke's had added i e coals and made the position secure tfie Shoreites had a let up from defence, and tried out with aggressive tactics. • A few brief excursions reached the reds' quarters, only to be quickly repulsed. The most hopeful one—a score was certain in some Shoreites' opinion—was checked when the whistle went for half-time. It was discovered during the breather that the timekeeper had made a mistake and stopped the game five minutes too soon. "What are we doing about it?" said a couple of Shoreites, and promptly from others came the reply: "Forget it, and think how well we have been saved a bigger score piled up against us." The second spell was a most disappointing affair. A goal was secured by each team and then the play deteriorated—at times it was crude —and easily the worst display seen in the senior division at Remuera this .season. The winners' back division does not call for any individualising. They are best summed up as an even lot that rose to the occasion. Forward, Vipond was outstanding, while Grace, left •\vpng, calls for special mention. His goal, an angle shot from the edge of the circle, was a great effort. C. Davies made another appearance for Shore and at full-back displayed glimpses of his old ability. Moore was best of the halves. Although 11. Jones was handicapped with an injured hand he made some fine openings as right wingforward. It is hard to understand why this player is not kept in the half line on the wing in the position assigned to him in the representative team. Cox, left wing, was outstanding and with Thornton worked well, but the opportunities they opened were not accepted.