HOCKEY TEST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 155, 4 July 1938, Page 16

HOCKEY TEST.

N.Z. TEAM CHOSEN.

WIDE REPRESENTATION.

CLUB GAMES IN THE MUDUNITED RETAIN LEAD. The team has been announced for the Hist Test matvh against the Prince of Manavadar's Indian team, to be played at t hnstchifreh on July 23. Xo doubt there were quite a number of the 68 candidates for the honour of representing the Dominion who were somewhat disappointed when they read the list in the Sports Edition of the "Auckland Star" mi Saturday evening. Auckland and Canterbury both have three representatives, Wellington has two and Nelson, Poverty Bav and Maliawatu one representative each.

Team is as follows : — Goal, L. Hart (Manawatu). Right back, I>. F. Wilson (Wellington) ; left back. F. F. Clarke (Auckland). Right half, \V. Kowden (Canterbury); centre half, T. iiurtt (Canterbury) ; left half, L. Watson (Auckland). Forwards: I{. Watchman (Poverty Bay), K. Kushbridge (Canterbury), K. Houghton (Auckland), M. Brown (Wellington), U. A. Bift (Nelson). No reserves have been announced. Tn followers of the game in Auckland. there arc one or two surprises, as verv little is known about the play of the newcomers to l>i« hockey. I.ut the solectois have had a heavy programme in tuning to sec all the noiiiinecs ill action, and their final decision has been made only alter due deliberation.

Seven members of last year's team which toured Australia are included in the side, namely, I). S. Wilson ami M. Browne (Wellington), F. (lark. J,. WiUcuui and n. Houghton (Auckland). T. Burtt (Canterbury J and L. Best (Nelson). Of the remaining four W. Bowden represented New Zealand against the Indians in I!>.'}.">. and although he was not impressive in the third Test match at Auckland. it must be remembered that three years have elapsed and the selectors must be satisfied with his play at present. L. Halt, the Manawatu goal-keeper has. according to southern reports, created a good impression, firstly in the Poverty Bay-Hawke's Bay trial at Napier, when he played between the posts for the latter team during the second spell, and again at Palmers-ton North against the present Indian touring team.

R. Rushbi idge. the Canterbury inside right, is practically unknown up here, but Ilia ability must have impressed tlie selectors. R. Watchman, the Poverty Bay and ex-Wellington "rep," will be remembered for his dashing display in the shield match in Auckland last year, and although he then played as centre-forward, there was plenty of evidence that he had the pace and thrust for a right wing, the position which he will fill in this team.

One Point in the Lead. The club match results were: — St. Luke's 2, I'nited 2. Komerville 4, Grammar 2. The other game to have been played, between University and Mount Eden, was postponed owing to the absence of the former team from Auckland. It will be played later if it has any bearing on the result of the competition. The position of the teams is as folios: — Goals Ch. p. w. r,. n. f. a. pts. flitted 7 4 1 2 17 12 10 St. Luke's .7 4 2 1 27 1* 0 Grammar . . 7 4 3 — 23 21 8 ('Diversity . «', 3 2 1 2<» 13 7 KomerviUe .7 3 4 — 1721 6 Mt. Kden . 6 — 0 — 10 29 —

Despite the slushy nature of the ground for Saturday's matches, it was surprising to see so many concerted movements successfully executed up to a point, only to break down when the effort looked dangerous. Over-indulgence in the flick and push pass was a contributing factor, and it was surprising to eee so many experienced players adopting these tactics under the prevailing conditions. Another feature of the day was the pr»valanee of off-side play Repeatedly the wing-forwards, and sometimes the whole line, would be caught waiting in an offside position, and it behoves players to concentrate more on this phase of the game.

SOMERVILLE SURPRISES. Using shock attacks and passing the ball about with crisp hitting. Somcrville adapted ttWr game to the soft ground conditions, and were able to lower Grammar's colours. Wyatt, the winners' inside right, engineered most of the onslaughts. Elliott and M. Brown, the wing men, giving able support. Long and Revell were sound on defejice, both players doing much to break up the opponents' efforts to score. Grammar, although strengthened by the reappearance of Lawry and Floyd did not give- an impressive display. Their weakness lay in the half-line which played with little combination, while the forwards lacked understanding and indulged in too many individual efforts. Rough ton broke away on his own in characteristic style on several occasions, but lack of support failed to bring results.

UNITED VERY LUCKY. To score, the equalising goal In the last mfnute of play was the luck of the United team in their match against St. Luke's. Dominating play for the greater part of the game, St. Luke's team work gave them a one-goal lead before half-time, which tliey held right through the second spell until the fateful goal was scored right on time. To give some Idea of the St. Luke's rocklike defence, 30 minutes elapsed before United were a*le to suecesstully break through to score. Considering the state ol the ground, the forwards on both sides, and Wellbourne in particular, displayed some- clever stickwork in eluding th defence. Torbett and McCorinick were a thorn in tne opposition's side and their last effort which produced !he telling goal was a gr»at piece of work. Carroll and Vipond for St. Luki\s wee always in the thick of it, the former showing up well. Clark made some spectacular clearances bringing into play some oC his cricket, strokes. Itntter. the United goalie, had r hard day's work and came through the ordeal satisfactorily.

OTHER GRADE RESULTS. SECOND C.RADE. Albertians, 6, beat Grammar 0.8. 3 St. lake's ft. beat Somerville 2 Training College 5. beat Y.M.C.A 2 Wesley 5, beat Air Bane 0. St. George's 1, beat Waitemata 0. THIRD GRADE. Albertians 6. beat Tamaki 4. Mount Albert 7. beat 'Varsitr 3. Tapatoetoe 6, heat Grammar 0.8. 0. Auckland Grammar 0, beat Training Col lege 1.

FOURTH GRADE. St. T.uke's 12, beat Grammar 2. Y.M.C.A. 2, beat Wesley 1. Somerville 3, beat Mount Eden 1 Papatoetoe won by default from Mount Albert Grammar. •Varsity 3, drew jwith Auckland Grammar 3. FIFTH GRADE. Auckland Grammar B 5, beat St. Luke's SomerTille 14, beat Auckland Grammar C Auckland Grammar 8, beat Mount Albert Grammar B O. Mount Albert Grammar A 4, beat Mount Eden 1. SIXTH GRADE. Mount Eden 2. beat Auckland Grammar £> l. Auckland Grammar A 21, beat Y.M.C.A. Mount Albert Grammar B 6, beat Y.M.C.A. A 1. Somerville 14, beat St. Luke's 0 Howick won by default from Mount Kden Mount Albert Grammar A won by default from Mount Eden B. ' ' LADIES' GAMES. SENIORS. Technical 5, beat Mount Eden 1. INTERMEDIATE.. Mount Eden 4, beat Kiwi O. Technical A 3, beat Technical B 0. JUNIORS. Technical 8, beat 'Varsity 0.

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