HOCKEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17187, 14 June 1919, Page 12

HOCKEY.

NOTES* AND COMMENTS. The long-looked for mooting of the Somervell and St. Luko's teams will take place at ttemuora this afternoon, tho fame being played on No. 1 ground. Both teams have a very strong following. These teams have in past years met in the fifth, third, and second graces, honours generally going to St Luke's after strenuously-contested matches. This year the Somervell team is confident of turning the tables, and the match this afternoon should provide fast and exhiliarating hockey.' Tho St. _ Luko's and Somervell third grade teams will provide the curtain-raiser on No. 1 ground at a p.m. The other three senior games will also bo played at Remuera. namely, Mount Eden v. Areta, Pousonby v. Training College, and Edendale v. University, ana should provide interesting contests. College Rifles have now cataolislied a comlortabJ© lead in tho senior championship, being three points ahead of Somervell. The meeting of thefotwo teams nert Saturday is expected to provide i k«en struggle, and, if' successful in that game, College Rifles will probably so through the first round without defeat. Thi record of the Somervell Club for the season has been successful. So. far its thico teams have played 14 m&teaes, and none have been lost.

SECOND-GRADE NOTES. , The first round of championship matches in the second grade were concluded last Saturday, when l tho two leading team bpipaaay and Mount Sden A played a close game. Epiphany secured a win by 2 goals to 1, thus placing thorn top of (he grade with nine points. As a result of their win over North Shorn Areta have seven, points to their credit, thua beipg equal for second place with Mount Eden A. The teams, as a. Whole, are fairly evenly matched, big wine having been recorded only when the losers h«w> been unable to out full teams in the field. Mount Eden B lost their first three matches by default, but are now turning out regularly. University has also been handicapped owns to shortage of ptayors, but probably will be able to put full teams in tho field from to-day. The second round of nwtches ml. bo certain to provijio considerable in* tost, especially « the leading team, Epiphany, should hapnsn to lose a matcn. Tho positions of the tarms at the cud of . the first round arc:

„ ,„ . Goals- Ch. P. W. L. D. For. Agst. Pte. Epiphany ...6401 23 6 9 Mt Eden A... 6 3 11 15 7 7 Attla 5 2 0 3 7 0 7 North Sboro 5 2 3 0 7 13 4 University ... ."> 1 3 1 1 18 3 Mt. Eden 8... 5 0 5 0 3 U 0

SCHOOL NOTES. Stanloy Bay, Povonport, and Edcndale secured win* in tho A grade last week, and Dcvonport and Edendalo wore successful in tho B grade. It was expected that Grafton might stop tho victorious career of Stanley Bay, but after a good fight last year's champions proved victorious by 2 coals to 1. Tho winners wore certjdnly tho best side- Tho splendid goal-keeping of Clark, for Grafton, who suffered a sovere bombardment, was a feature of tho_ game. Anthony. Martin, tad Whitley maintained a determined attack tor the Bay. receiving good support from the half-lino. Raggett proved a solid centre, but nit too hard, and so did Penman. Pearoe did well. Cocker was the star of «ho back division, tthilo Madden assisted ably. Watte was.tho life of tho Grafton team, but hit too Btratght and Lord. At times an attempt was inado to play together, but further pinctioo is neewsary, while the halves must get tho bill away Quicker. Clark earned chief honours. Edcndalp wcro only two goals better than Mount Edeu, the last-named team showing improvement, and working well as 1 whole. Tho backs, particularly Davis, hit well, but tho halves still require to brigbton up. The forward play lacked finish- Edendalo havo done _ better, aud some of the forward play was inclined to- bo too individual. Skecno was noticeable in tho back division. Dovonport lorv'arda made tho most of their cliauces against Korauera, scoring 0 goals to 0. Barry and Sjaser were nioMSproroinent. although ail took part in ooino ait» ocmbinod movement*. Craig ar-d Andrew in the half-line, and full-backs Wells and Lucas did the best work of the rear division. Remuera were up against a much heavier team, and vrern most frequently defending. Hollia often saving the side. Tho forwards generally failed to support one another, Tizard being the best. Practice will, however, enable- them to do hotter- Eclcnda'o and Retailers, the two leading (cams in the B grade, played a well-contested game, the former winning by the odd goal in live. The Wrs hava tho making of a good side, and might easily reverse tho result in tho next round.

COUNTRY HOCKEY. Fresh evidence is received each weok of tho revival of the game throughout the country, and prospects lor the White Horse Cup tournament, to bo hold at Reaiuera the last complete nee It in July, seems good The following associations have been invited to send :—Whangarei (holders'!, Rodncv, Rotoma, Cambridge, Pialco, Waipa, Waih'i, Franklin, and Taumarunui, whilo teams from any other districts in the Auckland Association's territory aro eligible, subject to the usual rules.