HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 208, 3 September 1935, Page 15

HOCKEY.

AUCKLAND'S CLEAN SWEEP.

SIX REP. TEAMS WIN.

SH p&D RETAINED AFTER EXCITING STRUGGLE.

With six representative teams in the Held, four senior and two junior, and each winning their game, the Auckland recn y n A f OCiatio S should be P roud ° f th e UP ° n Sa t«rday- Overwhelming S Jβ reported by those who dSnW Cambridge and Waiuku, and the "'"Play at the latter town is likely to boost the stick game along.

Sparkling Display. Waikato lived up ,to its""" reputation for playing fast and interesting hockey, ana whilst the scores were not a true indication of the run of play, spectators were treated to an exciting exhibition, marked by the clever stickwork of both teams. The Auckland vanguard have shown to better advantage in previous matches, but there is no doubt that the outstanding goal-keeping of Smillie for w aiKato wae responsible for curbing their scoring tendencies. The defence on both sides proved stubborn, and their welldirected clearing hits were responsible for the scene of operations changing from end to end at a very fast pace.

The circumstances leading to the victors' hrst score were rather remarkable, and it is, perhaps, the first time in" Shield games that a penalty goal has been awarded from a penalty bully. For the winners, M. Wattam in goal was , sound in his judgment, and cleared well F. Clark was the outstanding back on the field, and repeatedly turned defence into attack. The welcome return to form of H. Jones in the half-line was also a notable feature of the game, and S. Koberteon, centre, initiated numerous likely movements. The three inside forwards—C. Floyd, E. Watts and C. Watte —were the pick of the van, P. Wellborne being patchy, although one brilljant ;:uu of his deserved a better fate. The highlight of the match was the spectacular kicking of Smillie, the Waikato goalie. His style is remindful of that other prince of goalkeepers, Fletcher, an ex-Waikato and New Zealand representativ. Smillie could kick to the line at halfway without effort. Both full-backs were solid, without being brilliant, whilst T. Ewau was easily the pick of the half line. Among the forwards, the working of the left flank was somewhat overdone, for although G. Wood, inside left, was easily the best of.the line, a change of tactics, especially in the second spell, might have put a different aspect on the game. C. Spiers held his line well, and Bert Spiers and G. West on the right flank proved bustlers, but were by no means overworked.

Taranaki's Touring Team. The vieiting team, which played the Auckland B team as a. curtain-raiser to the Shield game, was a young combination, who were finishing a good will toui' of some of the larger hockey centres, and there is no doubt that the experience gained by the players when playing against such opposition will certainly raise the standard of play in Taranaki. From a sholt talk with one of the officials with the team it wae learned that the Taranaki Association endeavours to send both ladies and men's teams on tour every other year. One goes north and the other south, alternating the order on each successive tour. Then the association expects the visits to be returned during their season at home. Thin is a policy which speaks highly for their enterprise, and should do much to foster the game in that province.

In a game conspicuous for the frequent glimpses of brilliant etickwork and nicely conceived movements, Auckland ran out the victors by 4 goals to 2. J. Payne, the visitors' goalie, showed sound judgment, and was responsible for some spectacular clearances. The full-backs Ryan and Clarke were sound, whilst Duncan proved the best of the half line, his goal being the result of supporting his forwards on attack. Betts, Irwin and McGlashan were outstanding in the forward line, although Windle and Blake were responsible for some clever runs on the wings. For Auckland, Delahunty gave his usual sound display, and King proved the better of the full-backs. A. Watson, centre half, played a solid game, but Lawry, the left half, was inclined to take the ball too far upfield, and join in movements with the forwards. Fraeer, "Vipond and Corin were the best of the vanguard, althoughthe latter was inclined at times to play too far back on the halves; a fault caused no doubt by Lawry"s participation in the forward movements.

AUCKLAND ASSOCIATION. At last night's meeting of the Auckland Hockey Association it was decided to congratulate the senior and junior selectors, Messrs. W. Newsham and Rex Moore, on the success of their teams in matches played on Saturday. Mr. Moore reported on the junior team's trip to Cambridge, and it was resolved to thank the Cambridge Association for its hospitality. Mr. Harold Watts stated that the visit of an Auckland team to Waiuku had given the game a great impetus in the district. The Hastings Association advised that, provided it retains the Norden Cup, it will meet Rodney, in a challenge match on Thursday week. . . The Papatoetoe senior grade team was granted permission to play Warkworth on September 21. Third and fourth grade teams of the Papatoetoe Club were also granted permission to pliy Thames teams on September 28. The Somerville senior grade team will play Rodney at Warkworth on Saturday week, and the second grade team will meet Waihi at Rcmiiera on September 28. Matches for the Edgar Morgan Challenge Cup were arranged for fourth grade teams on Saturday. , The fifth grade championship will be closed next Saturday, and Wesley and Auckland Grammar will play off for third grade honours.

IJU>IES» TOURNAMENT.

POVERTY BAY BEATS AUCKLAND. (By Telegraph. —Press Association.) " GISBORNE, this day. The New Zealand ladies' hockey championships were continued yesterday in adverse weather conditions. Rain fell m the early morning and continued with occasional breaks of a lew minutes, tor the whole day. During the afternoon some very heavy showers fell. Three grounds are in use tor the tournament but on two of these water was !-f" ' On several occasions the ball went 'into the water and showers of spray were K mTtches were not seen at their best £ °l"!stcrn Southland played Marlborough four goals to one.

ReS o lt f I Povertv Bay A beat AuekGemmell) to by one goal (Miss Dawber). section: Bush W^linst^nv. , Poverty Bay B; KuaMne. o bye.