HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 231, 1 October 1935, Page 16

HOCKEY.

HARD, TRICKY GROUNDS. REDUCE STANDARD OF PLAY. UNIMPRESSIVE DISPLAYS. • The semi-final lound of the Davie Cup ; championship played on Saturday produced surprises all round. Firstly Mount ! Eden were victorious over Wesley to the tune of 4 goals to 1. then Pupatoetoe frightened Grammar Old Boys by obtaining an early lead and only losing the match in the dying stages of the game, and lastly the game between Somorviile and St. Luke's proved rather drab, especially for a match between two of the leading teams. The ground, no doubt, was responsible for lowering the standard of play to a certain extent, but it must also be remembered that a long season is now ncaring an end and some of the players are becoming a little "stale." However, the issue is still in doubt and it looks as though St. Luke's and Grammar will have to play off, that Js unless the association decides to bracket the two teams as the winners. Somerville Uninspiring. The game between those old ' rivals Somerville and St. Luke's proved very disappointing from a spectator's point of view. Having such a bearing on the championship, it was only to be expected that the players would be keen and this in turn would have the effect of impairing the usual combination and cohesion, but taken right through there was hardly any semblance of understanding between the forwards and backs of either side. I'lic hard hitting of the backs often spoilt chances of initiating attacks, whilst the forwards persisted in solo efforts, whereas the adoption of the short, crisp passing game would have brought much better results. Body play was much in evidence, both sides offending, and thus spoiling a. game which should have sparkled with brilliance. St. Luke's play the better game and had the advantage of tl:e run of the play, but they never produced impressive hockey. Wattam in goal ably coped with x anything that came his way, whilst the two fullbacks, King and F. Clark, were solid on defence. The latter indulged in some big hitting, evidently getting his eye in for the cricket season. Robertson and Brodie were outstanding in the half .line, their positional play being largely responsible for their side's success. The forwards gave spasmodic glimpses of their true form, but seldom worked as a line. I'enton and Alexander on the right wing occasionally indulged in combined efforts, whilst on the left flank Corin and Grace worked hard, the latter showing his usual turn of speed, but lacking the neccssary finish when he reached the danger zone. Vipond played a hard, bustling game throughout, some of his efforts deserving a better fate.

Somerville were without the services of C. Watts, but this alone did not account for the Jack of penetration in the vanguard. E. Watte and Wellborne were out of the picture, Glanville, Cochrane and Braithwaite doing; most of the attacking. All three worked hard, Braithwaite being responsible for one or two clever runs. The halves lost a lot of chances through playing too deep and they all had a tendency to roam. Heard was perhaps the best of a mediocre trio. Smith bore the brunt of the defence, having a heavy day, although his clearing sometimes lacked direction. Delahunty had some hectic moments in goal, but withstood the bombardment and saved brilliantly on numerous occasions.

GRAMMAR'S CLOSE CALL,

Papatoetoe surprised tlie Grammar Old Boys by making them fight every inch of tl'o . way in their game 011 Saturday, laking the lead early un the game the suburbanites looked like downing their opponent, only a sustained rally near the end of the second spell enabling the Old Boys to creep home by the odd goal in five. The game was of a scratchy nature throughout, neither side settling down to combined efforts. Papatoetoe, with nothing to lose, went all out after everything, whilst Grammar, knowing that a draw or defeat meant putting them out of the running for championship honours, were striving hard to dominate play, over-; eagerness being the result. This was responsible for the failure of many likely looking onslaughts, and also for the halves losing position and being unable to support and sustain the forward attacks. Papatoetoe played one man short, and again had two juniors in the team; therefore their performance is all the more meritorious. It is a pity this team cannot manage to get together a reliable combination of players who would regularly turn out every Saturday, instead of having to chase round each week for juniors to make up the required number. As it is they have put up some very creditable performances against some of the leading teams, and have proved that they cannot be taken too lightlv. For the winners, Anderson 'in goal played a fair game. He used judgment in coining out to meet the attack on several occasions. Hay was the more reliable of the full-backs, whilst to Herriott and W. lioss must go the half-line honours. Herriott proved solid on defence, and Ross rm cen^re catered well for his front line. The forwards were below their usual standard, the inside men, Torbett, Twigden and Roughton being the pick. Jerram lost several opportunities through standing off instead of tackling, whilst I. Ross 011 the left wing was robbed of possession through his tendency to dally with the hall before getting his centring hit in. Twigden at centre catered well for his line, whilst Roughton and Torbett had that thrustfulness which gained valuable ground and many of their movements deserved a better fate. Knight, in goal for Papatoetoe, was responsible for some brilliant saves, whilst both Cocks and Lusby proved a solid barrier in the fullback position. Cocks again spoilt his play through over-excitement, and when bustled indulged in indiscriminate hitting. Playing one short in the half line meant that both Kerr and Edney had a very busy time stemming the Grammar onslaughts, and both came through with flying colours. Edney especially proved a tiger for work, and created a favourable impression in this his first senior game. Boswell, Monteith and Anderson were the outstanding players in the forwards, although Boswell is inclined to spoil his play by using his body too much.

MOUNT EDEN SURPRISE

[ Mount Eden deserved their win on Saturday, as it is a fitting reward for the tenacious way in which they have faced adversity right through the season, lhe game was not productive of bright hockey, the unorthodox methods adopted 'by the Edenites upsetting the Wesley playere. For the winners Bushell and Bowden were the pick of the backs, whilst Hayson and Clark were outstanding in the forward line. Wesley players seemed to bo out of touch with the play although Burton proved a tower of strength in defence, and Neate, Chapman and Phil]potts were tile best of a mediocre forward line. Pickens played a solid game in the centre half position.

The swiftest fish in the sea is the mackerel. When in "form" it can swim at the speed of CO miles an hour!