HOCKEY SUPREMACY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18773, 29 July 1924, Page 4

HOCKEY SUPREMACY.

HIGH STANDARD [MAINTAINED

MOUNT EDEN'S IMPROVEMENT.

SOMERVILLES GOOD VANGUARD.

The matches for the senior grada hockey championship were continued at Remuera on Saturday under ideal weather conditions. Though the grounds were bumpy they were: otherwise in good condition, and the standard of play was firs t*clflss« Mount Eden can be considered unlucky in not gaining at least a draw in their contest with Areta. They showed great enterprise in opening up the play, and good combination and team work gave them a considerable advantage in the first half. The vanguard launched many good offensive movements, _ and it was only the ill-directed shooting that kept their score down. . . ■ In the second half the forwards appeared to tire slightly, and the combination suffered accordingly. Generally speaking Areta had the better of matters'in this spell. _, On the performance it is' hard .to individualise, as all the forwards played well, but perhaps special mention can bo given to A. Alexander, Fletcher ard Giles, as they initiated most of the attacking movements. The halves played exceptional games, combining excellently with, the vanguard. 1 Xtadcliffo was in tip-top form, and repeatedly changed defence into attack by judiciously-placed shots. Brown and Dut ton the fullbacks, acquitted themselves with distinction, always being in position, and stopping and hitting very cleanly. Areta appeared slightly disorganised, the quick, short passing tactics of the opposing forwards repeatedly finding holes in fhe defence. The forwards, though "nippy," did not show good combination, and tha majority of the attacks were from solo efforts. J. Carter, D. Carter, and Ormsby were moro prominent than the rest of a hard-working frontline. Savage and Coupland did yeoman service in the half line.

The fullbacks were sound, Davis, in particular, showing up with clover stickwork and good clearing. Somcrville demonstrated their superior- ; ity over University in all departments, i some of the concerted rushes being meritorious. Of the vanguard mention for dashing displays can bo accorded E. Watts, C. Watts,, and Seccombe. Baildqn and Simpson played well in the half line, using great judgment in their clearing hits. Roberts and Munro were a very solid last line of defepce, both playing soundly. Cooper, in goal, had little to do, but got through his work in a polished manner. University forwards played a hard, bustling ga.me, but their movements were almost devoid of combination. Brown, Hodge, and Elliffe were most prominent. The half-line performed a strenuous after- 1 noon's work with credit, though players had a tendency to lose position. Fothetingham gave a high-class exhibition, his intercepting and well-placed hitting extricating his side from tight corners upon numerous occasions. Burt played a capital game 'at fullback, outshining Player, who appeared rather slow in getting to the ball.