HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 127, 31 May 1937, Page 15

HOCKEY.

VARSITY'S WIN.

GOOD MUD GAME. CLUB LEAD UNALTERED. More than usual interest centred in the matches played under the jurisdiction of the Auckland Hockey Association on Saturday, especially in the morning match between the Xew Zealand com- | binocl university eleven and an Auckland representative side. Two of the three Xew Zealand selectors, Messrs W New-sham and K. G. McLeod, were out at the grounds watching the play of some ot the players nominated for the Austrai', an to, 1 ' 1 ' w,, 'l*t the game afforded Mr l.i ic Watts, the Auckland selector, an excellent opportunity of testing some new players to "rep." hockey with a view to filling any vacancies which may occur in the shield team through any of the nominated players being selected for Australia. A fast open game resulted, despite the uncertain foothold caused by the drizzling showers and the students thoroughly deserved their win by three goals to two. in the afternoon the standard of hockey was high considering the state of the grounds after the intensive play during the inter- varsity tourney held last week Ihe results were:— New Zealand University 3, beat Auckland representatives 2. St. Luke's 2, beat University 1 Somerville 5, beat Y.M.C.A. ] Grammar 6, beat Papatoetoe 2. Competition ladder: — Somervilie ... 4 ' T - - f« A « Grammar .... 4 4 - - 9 ? 5 RWES-::: i f I : » » ! v:E toe .::: I i I : H » * Mount Eden . 3 - 3 _ 4 18 _ COMBINATION TELLS. - Alt hough Somerville beat Y.M.C.A by sided \ a % h Same Was an yt hi "R t»nt as'onentav » y rT "»gUt indicate. The piay or I.M.C.A. was a bg improvement over the previous week's efforts, and while w.f. P^ JerS "J"? 1 , "• conarotulated for thl way they maintained position their efforts were centred too much upon defensive whnl CS n Somervlu e. on the othe? hand? ™lt^f eSaiDS a so . nnd defence, also had an attacking power that was very penetrating and forceful. If Y.M.C.A. will profit t'eim wm ta t C H I l ,nS i taCtiCS of S <"°erv«le the team will then be a very difficult one to rnnwE r Ste -7 art and Smlth were safe with n « 1 r th f whites . and worked with a good understanding. Hedges did much good work as centre-half, but was inclined to roam at times. Burt gave ™P I r M miSlnff , df , sp,ny - He maintains |ood position and knows how to support hi* lorwards. Cooper, centre-forward, deserved more success with his efforts. Wyatt is another promising forward who should go a long way in the game. Wellbourne wis as resourceful as ever and Watts fitted in nicely with his work. Campbell, sjoalie for Y.M.C.A., gave a fine display and used his feet effectively in clearing. Surman and Dowling were s 2 u^ d •?", 1 1~l > . acks ' whl,e Hunter was best of the half-line. Bright on the right wine made many fine openings and worked well with Andrew. Brown will find It more advantageous to change the position of his hands on the stick. STUDENTS UNLUCKY. The controlling powers made a fine choice by staging the St. LrUke's-University game as the star attraction. From the initial bully until the final whistle play waged up and down field at a great pace and although St. Luke's gained the winning goal—a smart shot by Corin—a drawn game would have been a trner indication of piny. Both teama showed the effect of the pace on the heavy ground, but University suffered most, due to the strenuous play m the previous three days' tournament. The students' attacks just lacked that little thrust between success and failure. The game produced some thrilling attacking and defensive work, and the next meeting of the teams will be anxiously awaited. Wat tarn in goal for St. Luke's was in great form and saved some nasty situations. Clark was best of the fullbacks, and while King put in good work. [he must learn to control his feelings. It was pleasing to see the reprimand his captain gave him. Robertson, centre-half, kept the play open and catered well for the front line. Brodie was alwavs handy and gave the opposition little quarter. (Alexander and Corin shared the front line honours. Carroll is a forward of the , nippy type, while Doel was seen to advantage in the closing stages. The students' goalie. Henderson, while making many saves also displayed hesitancy. Hnghen, full-back, brought off some splendid work and the manner in which he extricated his side and smashed attacks with the flick-stroke was a feature of the game. Cawkwell is another sound full-back. The half trio, although tired, were sound and varied their strokes to advantage. Oreenbank, the left-winger. , opened splendid attacks and was well supported by Broun and Braithwaite. Cooper's goal was a fitting finish to many good efforts.

THE 'VARSITY BLUES TOO GOOD. Despite the strenuous tourney which the students had just concluded, to say nothing nf tlie hectic social programme which they had gone through, they played well as a team in the match with the Auckland representa lives. The Auckland team lacked cohesion between the backs and forwards, the half line being very weak. The forwards did not piny with their usuel understanding, hut. this was to a certain extent to he expected, as the vanguard comprised practically a new line. For tlie winners. Hall. goal, made some clever and spectacular saves, whilst Tloeben and Cawkwell repeatedly extricated their side from embarrassing situations. Walters, centre-half, and also a Canterbury nominee for the New Zealand team, was the best half on the ground, defending well and changing his line of attack with sound liscretion. lie was ably supported by Hurst, in the forwards Yule deserves mention for his efforts on the right wing, some of his centres being perfectly timed and exceedingly well placed. A. Broun showed plenty of thrust on attack and Braithwaite wag always handy, ready to snap up any opportunities which were offering. Hubbard, on tlie left wing, put in some nice runs, but was not over worked on the day. For Auckland. Clark played well at fullback, clearing brilliantly at times. In the halves, positional play was sadly lacking, and here lay the cause of "a lot of Auckland's trouble. Watson was perhaps the best of a very mediocre trio. The forwards seldom raided in formation, and seemed to lack crispness in their circle work. The two wings, Armstrong and Elliott, showed promise and Torhett worked hard throughout, but Cooper and Montelth were inclined to indulge in too much individualism.

PAPATOETOE OVERRUN. The Grammar—Papatoeroe clash proved disappointing, especially after the suburbtin it es' showing i» t!ieir Inst niateh. Plavers in tbe Grammar team worthy of special mention are Hay. Kowh, Armstrong, Twigden and Houghton. For Papatoetoe. Moore Kilney. Klliot t. Torbett. and MeCormick were the pick of ttieir side, although Boggs. u promoted junior, showed promise and with more attention to positional play should improve. GRADE GAMES S-ECOND GRADE. Waitemata 6, beat Training College 1. St. Luke's 7, beat Soinerville 3. Wesley 2, beat St. George 0. THIRD GRADE. Waitemata 10, beat Grammar 0.8. 3. Auckland Grammar 6, beat Tamaki 1 Somerville 10, beat 'Varsity 3. Papatoetoe 4, beat St. Luke's 2. FOURTH GRADE, Waitemata 8. beat Mount Albert B 1 Somerville 8, beat Wesley 1 'Varsity 4, beat Mount Eden 2. Auckland Grammar 3, beat St. Luke's 1

FIFTH GRADE. Y.M.C.A. 10, beat Auckland Grammar C Mount Eden 18, beat Mount Albert B 1 bouierville 10, beut Moun<; Albert A 2. *

SIXTH GRADES. Mount Albert A 2, beat Mount Eden 1. Papatoetoe 10, beat Auckland Grammar B 0. Somerville 8. beat Mount Albert B 1. St. Luke's 4, beat Tumaki O. COULTER CUP TO MORRINSVILLE. The Morrinsville team won the Coulter Cup iu the Piako Hockey Association's annual seven aside tournament played at Morrinsville on Saturday. In the final Morrinsville beat Te Aroha, I—o, E. Sterling hitting the goal. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. TE AWAMUTU. Men.—Te Awamutu A 1. drew with Te Awamutu B1; Otorohanga 7, beat Terabu 1. Ladies.—Ngatahuta 2, beat Hairinl 1; Otorohanga 2. beat Plrongla 1. WHANGAREI. Men. —United 3, beat Springfield 2 : Wesley 2, beat Tauraroa 1; Ramblers 6, beat Kara 1. Ladies.—Combined 4. beat School 1. GAMES IN THE SOUTH. CANTERBURY. Selwyn 5. beat Sydenham 1. Trinity 2, beat Redcliffs 0.