HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 124, 27 May 1936, Page 19

HOCKEY.

IMPROVED TACTICS. RECORD GOAL CROP. " ST. LUKE'S GO TO THE TOP. A marked improvement in tactics was the dominating feature o£ all the teams engaged last Saturday, when the third round of championship matches was decided. The principal matches were allocated to the Papatoetoe grounds, where the ideal surface lends to a high standard of play. In this the supporters of the game were not disappointed, especially in the St. Luke's-Somerville game. In a somewhat lesser degree Grammar and Y.M.C.A. claimed attention, mainly owing to the goal-scoring . machinery of Gram-; mar beingin such fine working order. At Remuera the surfaces interfered considerably with play, but the pleasing feature of the players' efforts Was that they endeavoured under the adverse conditions to play hockey and not engage in a hard slogging game. The benefit gained by previous games at Papatoetoe was much in evidence, and the management executive must feel well satisfied that the efforts made for the game's welfare have shown such marked development already. In the four senior games 36 goals were registered, and this is a record for the grade in local hocljey. ST. LUKE'S GET THERE. Ideal weatlier and perfect ground conditions at Papatoetoe were responsible for adding enjoyment t6 the struggle for supremacy between those old rivals Somerville and St. Luke's. In a game which gave frequent glimpses of brilliance St. ' Luke's emerged the winners by four goals to two. Both sets of forwards were seen in some nice combined movements, and although the Somerville van lacks a certain amount of ■ experience, nevertheless they demonstrated on Saturday that they have the makings of a fine line. The backs on both sides' indulged in too much body play, and this detracted from the exhibition. For the winners, Wattam played with judgment. King was inclined to use his body too much in trying to stem the onslaughts, whilst his partner, Clark, on occasions hit too hard and without direction. Several times a less hefty hit welldirected to a forward would have -proved more successful. Robertson proved a hard worker, but was caught out of position oh several occasions, whilst Rice at left-half also proved a "tiger" for work and played a nice game positionally. Vipond, at centre forward, catered well for hie line, and was always in the .thick of the attack. Alexander, again gave a convincing display at inside.right, his two goals being good, efforts. Corin and Grace •combined well on the left, although the former is inclined to play too far back, especially when the attack nears the opponent's circle. The Somerville forwards gave a great display, and with a few more matches together should be a line to be reckoned with. Several times they swept down the field in almost formation, each player keeping his position well, only over-? eagerness spoiling their chances when the circle was reached. Cochrane, the centreforward, held his line well, whilst the wings, Wellbourne and Roughton, were responsible for some clever runs and nice centres. The halves were weakened by the absence of D. Smith, and seemed to lose touch with their forwards on attack. Hedges was the best of the trio. The full-backs. Stewart and C. Smith, stood up well to the vigorous onslaughts but the latter should remember that a cool head will always prove helpful in getting out of a tight corner. . Delahunty in goal haa given Jjetter • \

GRAMMAR TOO GOOD. Y.M.C.A. proved disappointing in their match against Grammar Old Boys, there being an absence of cohesion between backs and forwards and too much individualism among the forwards. Old Boys' vanguard had a field day goalhunting, Jerram being the only one of the five hot to notch at least one goal. The whole line played with dash, their stickwork and combined play at times reaching a high standard and it would be hard to individualise. The halves supported well on attack and were always on hand to help the defence when necessary. W. Ross at centre fed his forwards judiciously, whilst K.- Lawry also got through a lot of work. J ones was .the better of the full-backs, and Anderson played in goal with sound judgment. lllingworth, the Y.M.C-A. custodian, made' soine nice saves, but found the bombardment too much. . C. Tasker. who partnered Burton as full-back, was a hard worked, but f&iled to 'clear cleanly or with direction. Neate was the pick of the halfline, Surman on the ; left flank being inclined to wander. The forwards tried too many individual efforts. Beere and Kiff being the chief offenders in this respect. Brown on the left put in some nice runs and sent across several good centres, and was responsible for both of his side s goals, the first one being the Award of sound following in.

ONESIDED. When Papatoetoe and Training College took the field it was only too apparent what toll had been taken of the lastnamed team owing to the school holidays. The College team can best be described as a collection of players—certainly not a senior eleven. On the other hand, Papatoetoe were at full strengththe alteration on the left wing was an improvement, and sideline supporters speculated as to the probable score. Papatoetoe very quickly asserted its attacking powers, but met a stubborn : defence, although it was of an individual nature. The onslaughts came from both ' sides of the field, but were checked, in a ! resolute manner. When spell ' timie ■ came six goals had been secured. That is ■ a large tally for a team to enjoy at the completion "of a game, but in this "case, 1 even with the final tally of fifteen '■ goals to Papatoetoe's credit, the i game was not of the lop-sided nature that I the figures would indicate. To the win i ners' credit, they adopted team work in • all their movements, and each goal was t the result of outplaying the opposition. I The tactics will prove beneficial to Papa- : toetoe in the more. strenuous games \to . follow. The suburbanites' efforts were just 3 as bright in this game, as they were !so I rough and ragged two years ago. .rrain--3 ing College, even with the improvised E eleven, made the opposition go for it nearly all the way, and it was only m the

concluding stages that tlie net boards were rattled frequently. The winners' vanguard worked very well, but the halt line was inclined at times to play too far back. The few best instances to recall were after College attacked. Tile Papatoetoe vanguard would then break through and reach the opposite circle, while their own halves had not crossed the half line. There was thus a weakness, in sustaining an attack, and if such tactics are adopted in other games they will mean disaster. The half-backs are not there for defence alone; they must play their part in the Training College can best be described as a team with grit and determination for the manner in which the great odds were faced. 'varsity;s quartet. The display by University against Mount Eden did not reach the standard anticipated, especially in the first spell, although after . the change-over some amends were made. The students certainly had a lot of attacking in the first half and many shots were cleverly turned aside by the Mount Eden goalie Tangye. These efforts, however, were not of a combined line's work, but more individual, which accounts for the lack of sting they possessed. There was also too much crowding in the circle, >and the Mount Eden backs quickly took advantage of the failing. With ends changed, the students improved, but a bigger improvement must be made in the vanguard s work if success is looked forward to. Mount Eden ,were inclined to too much individual effort and chances given the forwards were thrown aside and the backs given an unnecessary amount of work. Mount Eden's defence for three parts of the game was good, but the rearguard cannot oe expected to do the impossible.