HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 238, 7 October 1936, Page 18

HOCKEY.

THE DEVONPORT SHIELD. GRAMMAR AND ST. LUKE'S BRACKETED. I MEDIOCRE STANDARD OF PLAY. , Last Saturday saw the final club games decided for the present season, and next week the curtain, will be rung down on Auckland hockey when the champion of champions match for the Kent Cup, and the match Representatives v. The Rest of Auckland for the Selectors' Cup will be decided. In the first match St. Luke's will play Grammar, and this should prove an exciting encounter, as both teams are evenly matched, an<l have given some good exhibitions during the season. The second ] match will give some of the younger j players a chance to show their paces, and I perhaps enhance, their chances for representative selection next season. It was evident from the number of juniors playing in the various teams last week, that the season lias been too long, and players are losing interest in the game. True, the association has made ' every endeavour to finalise the various ! competitions as early as possible, but the run of play, and a lengthy representative | programme, has nullified their efforts. This matter should be taken in hand ini-1 mediately, and something settled before | next season commences, for there is n( doubt that the holiday spirit which war so much in evidence in Saturday's games will do much to lower the standard of

j play in Auckland. Speaking in a general way, there was little serious hockey witnessed on the day, the one exception being the St. LukeV University match, where a win to the students, or even a drawn game, would have altered the placings and given Grammar Old Boys the shield. This game was played at a fast pace throughout, and although St. Luke's emerged the victors by 4 goals to nil, attacks and counter attacks kept the spectators thrilled from start to finish. In their early game against Y.M.C.A. St. Luke's met with stubborn defence from their opponent, but Y.M.C.A. could only make spasmodic attacks, which usually broke down near the circle owing to lack of finish among the forwards. Grammar Old Boys were in scoring mood in both their matches. Mount Eden, who were fielding several juniors, offered little resistance, and were finally beaten by 8 goals to 1, whilst Training College, who were in a similar plight regarding their personnel, were beaten by 9 goals to 2. University scraped home against Somerville after a hard tussle, in which only one goal was scored, well on in the second half, and had to admit defeat to St. Luke's. Somerville had one win over Papatoetoe ' in a game which bristled with' possibilities, but was marred by rugged tactics, but went down fighting to University. Papatoetoe also had a win and a loss, and it was unfortunate that they lost the services of their skipper in the early game, when lie had to retire owing to an injury which necessitated the insertion of three stitches over his eye. Mount Eden fielded a scratch team, and managed to gain a one-goal decision over Y.M.C.A. after a close and exciting game, and this helped to compensate for their big defeat by Grammar. Y.MIC.A. and Training College failed to collect points, but the latter team is to be congratulated fcr the way it has turned out Saturday after Saturday, even after it has had some terrible hidings. DEVONPORT'SHIELD TABLE. Goals Cli. t P. W. Tj. D. F. fA. Pts. St. Luke's 7 6 1 - 25 6 12 Grammar 0.8. .. 7 5 — 2 28 6 12 University ...;.. 7 4 2 1 14 8 9 Papatoetoe 7 4 3 - 18 17 8 : Somerville ...... 7 3 2 2 13 7 S 1 Mount Eden .... 7 1 4 2 (! 21 4 ! V.M.C.A 7 1 6 - 419 2 i Training College .7 - 6 1 529 1 ' 1