HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 106, 7 May 1935, Page 16

HOCKEY.

SUCCESSFUL OPENING. « SATURDAY'S REVIEW. GAME REVIVING IN POPULARITY. Hockey enthusiasts were in full force last Saturday afternoon at the various playing areas, but it is a long time since the popular convincing ground at Remucra, the headquarters of Auckland hockey, presented *:,uch an animated and picturesque scene on the opening day; The influx of several new teams, making an increased number of players, was a striking illustration of the growing popularity of the stk'k game. In the senior division seven teams will strive for supremacy, and no doubt from these will be found the select eleven that will uphold the provincial honours in the big international game against the All India team now in Australia. The outstanding feature of the opening games was the splendid condition of the players, this being borne out by the manner in which they stood up to the fast work. The general standard of the play, however, even allowing for the opening day, was considerably below j>ar. But in fairness to the players, it must be stated that the bumpy nature of the ground was a great contributing factor. The teams all require a lot of coaching in tactics, as skilful movements and combined work were for the most part subordinated to individual effort. There was, however, sufficient indication that the teams possess the material /to weld into splendid combinations. Somervllle v. Wesley.

The principal game of the opening day between Somerville, last year's winners ot the Davis Cup, and Wesley, proved to be a fast game considering the bumpy nature of the ground. Kight through the game, play quickly changed ends, each side taking its turn in attack, and Wesley were unfortunate on one or two occasions not to open their account, their circle work lacking that decisive finish neeesary for success. The Somerville team played with a much better understanding, and the combination and experience of their forward line told their tale. For the winners, Delahunty, in goal, had one or two anxious moments, but came through the ordeal in good style. 'I he full-backs were patchy at the start, but Smith seemed the first to settle down and exft'icated his side from some tight corners. Their clearing shots could have been better directed at times. The half line was only fair, but showed promise of developing. Long was perhaps the best of the trio, although Hedges got through some heavy work very creditably, and is likely to improve. The Watte brothers are again the stars of the forward line, and their clever stick work and short passing tactics caused their opponents some anxious moments. Eric Watte at centre certainly kept his line together and used his discretion when I passing- to hie outside men. Glanville, on the right win", put in some nice runs and made several good centres. Boswell, inside right, although not brilliant, got through some useful work and performed creditably. Frank Wellbourne, on the left wing, put in some clever rims and drew his man well before centring, but was caught out o£ position on one or two occasions when he seemed to be crowding in on the centre. Wesley were unlucky In losing Pickens for part of the first spell owing to an injury, but they seemed to strengthen their defence when they rearranged their team by changing Surman and Fleet. Both the forward and the halves lacked good positional play, whilst their hitting was wild and ill-directed. Airey. in goal, found the opposing forwards hard to cope with, and was several times caught in two minds. Clive Watts evidently found a weakness with his two well-placed push

shots which netted two goals in quick sue

cession. Burton was the sounder of tiie two full-backs and was the only back on the field to consistently stop the bail with his hands or pads before clearing. Surman had a heavy day, too, but was not so cool as his partner, and his clearing shote seldom proved of much use to his forwards. Pickens was the pick of

the halves and was playing a nice game until his injury caused his temporary retirement. On his return to the field .he got through some more solid work, but lacked his usual sting. Meiller and Fleet were only fair. The forwards were

responsible for some promising moveI ments, but the majority seemed to break down near the circle. They were inclined to bunch at times, and this fault spoilt many chances of scoring. Chapman, on the "right wing, was perhaps the best of the line, and some of his fast, clever runs down the line gained much ground before he finished them off with welldirected centres. Kiff and Beere. the inside men, were solid rather than brilliant, the former combining well with the centre-forward, Neate, This player did his fair share of attacking, but seemed to be hampered by the bunching tactics of the rest of the line. Marshall, on the left wing, saw only a little of the ball, but when he did get it he knew what to do with it. Grammar Old Boys v. University.

To the newly promoted Grammar Old Boys' team was Riven the honour of opening the hockey season in their match with University, and they made a successful debut by securing a three-goal victory , over their opponents. The game proved fast and open, the standard of play being fairly high considering the unevennesd of the ground. Grammar held a territorial advantage and availed themselves of more of the openings offering, whilst the 'Varsity players seemed to lack that understanding necessary for successful scoring. The backs on both sides were inclined to speculate too much, a risky procedure for full-backs especially at anv time, but even more so on a ground such as that on Saturday. For the winners, Vaiic, in goal, was well able to cope with any of the work which .came his way. The full-backs were bot'h steady, Hay perhaps being the better of the two, although Moore got through some hehvy work in the second spell very creditably. With the halves, the outside men had a tendency to close in on their centre, and cramp his style. Jones, at centre-half, played a good game, varying the line of attack with some well-directed hits. He was easily the best of the trio. The forward line worked reasonably well considering it was the first try-out of the season. If Hogbeu was detailed to mark Roughton, • then he certainly did his job well, for the Grammar centre-forward certainly did not get the chance to show his paces to any great extent, although he played n solid game throughout. Parker and Ross, on the wings, made some nice runs. down the lines, but their centres were usually too hard or ill-directed to be accepted by the inside men. The goal scored by Ross was the successful termination of a nice solo effort in which lie outwitted several of the defence. Both Torbett and Twigden got through some useful work with credit, the latter taking advantage of the opposing half's attention to Roughton to make some clever runs ami openings for his other forwards. The 'Varsity goalie, Forrest-Brown, stood up to some heavy bombardments, whilst the full-backs seemed to get bilstled, their hitting not only being wild but lacking direction. Robinson performed the better in the first half, but faded away later in the game. Hogben and Fraser were the best of a medium half line. Hogben, at centre, certainly bottled no his man, but in doing so did not pet the support of his wing halves in coping with the Grammar inside forwards. The 'Varsity forwards lacked cooperation and many of their movements broke down on the circle edge through lack of finish. They all dallied with their circle work, usually giving the ball one or two taps to cet it in a better position instead of having one good hit at the goal. The extra taps usually lost them possession. Broun was perhaps the best dx a mediocre line,, whilst the wings had a.'tendency to wait offside.

! Overwhelmed. Although St. Luke's fielded a team rcinforced by three promoted juniors, the balance of the eleven were the seasoned players who have carried the club's colours for several years. Papatoetoe, on the other hand lined out new players. As the teams lined out t"ie general opinion was that St. Luke's would win, but nobody expected such a hollow victory. During the second snell for a time it was a goalhunting procession that Papatoetoe had little idea of checking. In all departments St. Luke's held sway, as the big tally of 12 goals would indicate. At times" the maroons gave indication of good combination, but after a bout of such would case up. Papatoetoe, on the other hand, played spasmodically. For the winners, at full-back F. Clark was very sound and King should develop. Robertson bore the brunt of the half-line work. Yipond. C'orin and Grace worked with a splendid understanding, and the display of the two new men on the right of the line, Alexander and Fenton, was particularly pleasing. For a while Knight, Papatoetoe's goalie, stood to his task well and made some good saves, but it was asking too much of him to stand the brunt of so many onslaughts. Lusby was best of the fullbacks. although inclined to go too far upfield. Of the forwards Anthony proved best, although at times Smytheman was conspicuous. Cocks must exercise more control and leave everything to the referee.