SHIELD HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 207, 2 September 1936, Page 18

SHIELD HOCKEY.

AUCKLAND'S YEAR.

CANTERBURY RAID REPULSED. A MATTER OF TOUCH-AND-GO^ Canterbury invaded the North bj' sending two strong teams in quest of the senior and junior New Zealand trophies held by Auckland. In the senior game for the New Zealand Challenge Shield Auckland beat the visitors by 4 goals to 3, while the match for the Zanol Junior Cup ended in a draw, 4 goals each, Auckland thus retaining the trophy. It is 16 years since a Canterbury team played in Auckland and although we have had little chance of watching their style in the interim, they proved by their exhibition in Saturday's game that they have benefited greatly from the visit of the Indians last season. 'Still playing a robust type of game, they will have to tone down before their brilliant stick work will become effective in the finishing oif of their well-conceived movements. Omitting the shield tournaments of 1924-25-27, Auckland have played Canterbury seven times for the shield and in every match there has been only one goal difference in the score. In Saturday's game the springiness of the turf no doubt upset their calculations, for the almost perfect ground conditions were just the opposite to what they have been playing on this season. The visitors played with much better combination and team understanding, their forwards several times sweeping down the field in great formation, only to spoil their efforts with lack of finish in the danger zone. According to reports the whole team played above expectations. Auckland, on the other hand, as a team, gave probably their worst display of this season. The half-line was weak, while the forwards had little cohesion and rarely played as a line. What Auckland sadly lacked was a "general" with a hockey brain capable of quickly sizing up the opposing team's tactics and able to lead a counter-attack with a variation of play. Review of the Players. For the winners, Wattam, the goalie, stopped several hot ones arid had little chance with those that found his net. The full-backs, Jones and Clark, although 1 both just off the sick list, proved sound antl broke up the Canterbury onslaughts ■, well. Their positional play was raspon- | gible for keeping the score down, for they I worked the off-side rule to a nicety. The halves were the weak link. Robertson being the best. Their passes lacked direction and they failed to vary the line of Attack. The forwards were more inclined to individual efforts and persisted in a central attack, thus giving the wings little chance to show their paces and draw the defence. Roughton was perhaps the best of the line, Fenton having little to> do, but able to cope with all that came his way. His goal from an acute angle was the reward of effort. Lawry was less conspicuous than usual, and although his stick "work was clever, he might have gaine'd.- more for his side by a judicious pass at the right moment. AVellbourne did not have the .opportunities to show his pates, the opposing half frequently intercepting the passes meant for him. , For the Canterbury team, Rhind, the custodian, gave a fair'exhibition. 1 He maybe excused for letting three ' corner hits past, as he seemed to" have his line of vision blocked in each case. E. Dash, the captain, was the better of the two fullbacks, playing a cool and calculating game, and feeding his vanguard with welldirected clearing hits. He was ably supported by R. Thomson.'' • "'( The half-line, • although not brilliant, were sound, their.- positional play being very good, and they all intercepted well. D. Loader was the outstanding member of the 5 trio and catered well for his . front line, varying the attack with sound judgment. Radcliffe and Watson broke up numerous attacks with clever interceptions. ■ ■

The forwards were inclined to hit too hard when nearing the circle, _ Duffield being the only exception. This player gave a wonderful exhibition of stick work and ball control, but spoiled his efforts by overdoing it. Had he been' satis lied to beat one man' and draw a eecijfid before' passing he would have gained niwe for his side, but he- persisted' in tryingCto. w.eave his way through the whole aefepse. N. Bowden and D. McCormick combined well and it was surprising that more attacks were not engineered from this flank. C. Wright, at centre, held his line well and catered for his .outside men with wellplaced passes. P. McCormick, on the left wing, had plenty of speed and,'made no mistake with the shots which earned him his .two goals. 2ANOL CUP. In the junior game Canterbury had all ' the best of the play, their rtfgged style at times overwhelming the Auckland team. The local lads were lucky to hold them to a draw, but Canterbury lost their chance of lifting the cup when two or three of their players allowed thei» feelings to get the bettgr of them,- and thus lose their "touch" with the ijatne. . For the visitors Martin, Parrott, Grimley and E McCormick were outstanding, while on the Auckland side Hay, Oakleys Pezarro and Herriott played good games. : HONOUR TO MR. NEWSHAM. Mr. W. Newsham, the Auckland senior sole selector, has been officially appointed convener-selector to the New Zealand Hockey Association,, in.,.place of. Mr. S. Holland, M.P., who has relinquished the P °Mr. C. C. Holland; of Christchurch, has been appointed as the ■ third member of

the selection committee to fill the .vacancy. The Auckland Association intends to recognise Mr. W. NiWsham's services as Auckland selector, as he has held the position for a nurrjber of years now and has selected the teims which put up the record of successfully defending thei shield on lo consecutive occasions. WOMEN'S TOURNEY. PLAY AT BLENHEIM. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) BLENHEIM, Tuesday. / Poverty Bay performed the noteworthy feat at the Dominion women's hockey tournament to-day of scoring the only goal so far registered against the redoubtable Eastern Southland combination, and the third in three years of tournament play. However, Eastern Southland had ample revenge, winning the match "by almost the record score of 15 goals to 1. Marlborough B is now the only team at the tournament • which has not been scored against. It had a narrow escape to-day, however, defeating Ruahine by. one goal to nil. With three days' play completed Marlborough B is in a strong position in section A, and will have to be beaten by Otago and Ashburton to fail to win the section. Canterbury needs to dispose of Wairarapa before assured of section B honours. On present form Canterbury should enter the semi-finals. Eastern Southland and Wellington are both undefeated in section C and will meet to-morrow. The weather was brilliantly fine to-day, and three afternoon matches were played. The new grounds were not affected by the „ rain over the w<i>k-end. Results: — Section A.—Marlborough B 1> beat Rua- "■ Hine 0; Ashburton 3, drew with Otago 3; Southland, a bye. Section B. —Wairarapa 3, beat Nelson 1; Canterbury 4, beat South Otago 0.; Auckland 5, beat Marlborough A 0. Section C.—Wellington 2. beat Wangr, nui 0; Eastern 15, beat Poverty Bay 1; Akitio 3, beat South Canterbury 1.