LAST SATURDAY'S GAMES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 130, 4 June 1935, Page 15

LAST SATURDAY'S GAMES.

SOMERVJXLE LEADING. grammar old boys excel. The supporters of hockey were treated to some' bright play in the match between St. Luke's and Grammar Old Boys, and it proved some compensation for the somewhat drab exhibitions in the two other games. With youth dominating the ranks and spurred on by the close game given Sommerville, the Grammar Old Boys took the field against the seasoned players of St. Luke's fully confident of success. Their yleas and ambition were fully borne out, and in easily the finest game of the season the Old Boys emerged triumphant by 5 goals to 3. It was a great exposition of the winter stick game, and a few such contests would crowd the sidelines with spectators as in former yeare. It was a fairly even encounter for three parts of the journey; then the youth of Grammar Old Boys was asserted. In a somewhat disconcerting manner they hit the ball about and brought off movements that completely baffled and outplayed St. Luke's in all departments. In a fagged game, University had decidedly the best of matters j with Wesley, and it was difficult to understand that in this game the greens should so fail. For a crude display, the meeting of Papatoetoe and Mount Eden was the worst of the season, and served to give Papatoetoe championship points. C. Preston, the well-known player, referee, and member of the Auckland Association's executive committee, who recently underwent an operation for appendicitis, has fully recovered, and was an interested spectator at Saturday's games. \ ST. LUKE'S OUTPLAYED* It was not until the second spell that the game between St. Luke's and Grammar Old Boys developed into a sparkling exhibition of hockey. It was then that Grammar changed their tactics and had their opponents completely rattled. Both teams displayed some wonderful glimpses of Stick work and ball control, all the more amazing considering the nature of the ground. For the winners Anderson merits his retention in the senior grade by playing a really clever, heady game, his stopping and clearing being sound. Both fullbacks were solid rather than brilliant, although their "speculators" might easily have cost them another goal or two. The halves all played well, Jones perhaps being the best of the trio. This player seemed to get bustled at times and was perhaps lucky not to be warned for the indiscriminate way he swung his stick around. All the forwards were right on

their games, making the most of their opportunities, and it is difficult to say who was the best of the line. Roughton was solid as usual and swung the ball about in great style. Torbett notched three goals during the match and the two in quick succession in the second spell proved him a splendid opportunist. Ross and Jerram, on the wings, made several outstanding advances down the flanks and both sent in some beautiful centres for the inside men to finish off. Twigden was not so conspicuous as in last week's match. However, his ball control was above the ordinary and he combined well with the rest of his men. St. Luke's were without the services of Wattam in goal, and Carson acted as deputy. Hie initiation to senior grade proved rather hot, although he was seen to advantage on several occasions with nice saves. There was little to choose between the full-backs, F. Clark perhaps being the better on the day, as he was prominent in extricating his side out of difficulties on numerous occasions. Robertson and T. Clark were the pick of the half-line, although Robertson's tendency to roam upset his other backs on more than one occasion. Of the forwards, it is hard to say which was outstanding. Fenton, perhaps, played his best game this season. He had Lawry thinking several times and dished lip some great centres. Alexander showed up in the first half, but seemed to fade a little in the second spell. Vipond played his usual solid game and held his line well. Corin engineered some clever movements, playing an unselfish game throughout. Grace proved fast on the wing, but hung on too long and his centres were sometimes just a bit too erratic. WESLEY DISAPPOINT. . Although the ground on Saturday was not conducive to spectacular stickwork or efficient ball control, the positional play of both University and Wesley was the real cause of the ragged display given by these two teams. 'I he University goalie,' Forrest-Brown, had rather an easy day. The full-backs were solid, and whilst Robinson made sure of his stopping before 'clearing, he still persists in roaming. On more than one occasion he was seen to the left and in front of his partner. This reversal of positional play was responsible for upsetting the other backs. Hogben was forced to play too deep, although a pleasing feature of this player's display was the return to his own style of etickwork. Watson was inclined to crowd on his centre and allow the opposing forwards too . much latitude. The forwards lacked cohesion and their offside play spoilt many chances. Floyd changed over to inside right, and both he and White were seen in several movements. Cooper played his usual useful game, whilst A. Broun's efforts were rewarded with a nice goal. It was disappointing to see Wesley starving the wings so much; Had they made more use of these pacy men they certainly would have reached the dangerous area more frequently than they did, but choosing a central attack the opposition'- had > them well bottled up. Airey, the goalie, performed with credit, whilst the full-backs were solid but not brilliant. Burton was the better of the pair, but did not give his usual sound display. Pickens was again the pick of the halves, being more solid on defence. Miller got through a good deal oE work and initiated several clever attacks. Dalley was inclined to lose position. Philpotts played 'his first match of the season, but as mentioned earlier had little chance to show his paces. The three inside men, Kiff, Andrews, and Xeate, were solid grafters, but the whole line lacked understanding, and most of the attacks broke down near the circle edge. Chapman put in one of two runs on the right, but oould have dealt with many more had the opportunities been made for him. !