HOCKEY COMPETITIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19455, 11 October 1926, Page 15

HOCKEY COMPETITIONS.

I DEVONPORT SHIELD GAMES. MOUNT EDEN MAINTAINS LEAD. CLOSE GAME WITH ST. LUKE'S. Tho Devonport Shield hockey competition was continued at (he Rcmuera grounds on Saturday afternoon under wintry conditions. Frequent showers made the surface slippery and players experienced difficulty in maintaining a foothold. Only a moderate standard of play was revealed, ali though two of the games were of an intorestinil character. Following are the results:--Mount Eden. 1. beat St. Luke's, 0": Wesley, 5. heat Areta, 2; Soraervillc. 12, heat Somerville Colts, 2; University won from Stanley by default. The following table shows the positions of the teams in the competition:—

Goals. I\ \V. L. D. F. A. Pts Mount Ktlcn . . fi _ 5 I f) 13 7 10 Somerville ..64 1 1 29 15 0 St. Lukp'fi . . fi 3 2 1 ]7 11 7 FnivcrHity . . (5 2 1 3 8 .10 7 Wesley _ . . 5 2 1 2 13 11 6 Somorvillo Colts fi 1 4 I 11 28 3 Arain . . . 5 1 4 0 10 15 2 Stanley ..4 0 4 0 6 10 0

A LAST MINUTE VICTORY. The game between St. Luke's aiicf Mount Eden was a capital exhibition of 'ast. open hockey. The conditions were against highclass form. Nevertheless, both sides were seen in spectacular concerted offensive movements which severely tested the defensive play of the backs. The early play was in favour of St. Luke's, the forwards revealing fair combination in a scries of sharp attacks. Mount Eden's rearguard had a strenuous time checking the onslaughts, brilliant work 1 v Brown and Ritchie eventually bringing ! relief. Several quick rushes by Mount Eden gave it a footing in St. Luke's circle, where Williams was instrumental in bringing relief with a timely speculator. Players were finding great difficulty in keeping their feet and the ball control ! in attacking movements was very uncertain. A. Williams made a fino opening and close play in Mount Helen's circle followed, Brown and Ritchie easing the pressure with sound defensive plav, Mount Eden, responded with a series of hot attacks that- were, however, countered by excellent defence. Halftime arrived without score. St. Luke's was early prominent in sharp flanking movements in the second spell, several promising openings beinß lost through poor circle play by the inside men. Rapid sorties by Mount Eden saw St. Luke's cornered, but Mills saved splendidly and sent his forwards away. The movement reached the circle and Mount Eden's backs were lucky in effecting a save. St. Luke's came again and O'Carroll turned the ball outside the net. In the closing minutes of the game a strong attack was launched by Mount Eden . and Woolford ran through fast and goaled. giving his side the victory by one i goal to nil WESLEY DEFEATS ARETA. Areta and Wesley provided an interesting struggle for supremacy, the better teamwork and combination of the latter team giving it an advantage. Fitt sent Wesley away in a good concerted 4 attack that reached the Areta circle, where Ashley checked brilliantly and hit back to midfield. Xot 'to be denied the Wesley forwards launched another assault, and after good cross-passing Hailwood goaled. An Areta attack was stopped by Sparling hitting to his forwards, who invaded the circle, A. M. Burtou scoring with a pretty shot. Areta replied with a strong central rush and a goal was scored, but was disallowed through offside play. Areta came again in good formation and Davis scored. Wesley rallied and A. B. Burton made the most of a chance, putting his side further in the lead. The half-time scores were:—Wesley. .1; Areta. J. Areta broke through quickly after the interval, and Minnins beat Woolley with a : well-nlaced shot. Areta was hitting the ball about freely, and only impetuous play in the circle by its vanguard prevented fur- ! thor goals. After close midfield play the ] Wesley forwards set up a strong attack i and Fitt goaled brilliantly. Attacks by I Areta broke down through bunching, and j play drifted back to midfield. Wesley invaded the Areta goal area and Hailwood converted a centring hit. Both forward lines executed some fine moves in the closing stages but sound defence by the respective back divisions prevented further scoring. A well-contested game ended in Wesley's favour by five goals to two. RUNAWAY WIN FOR SOMERVILLE. The contest in which Somerville opposed Somerville Colts was fought out at a great ! pace throughout. Somerville proved to be | in excellent form, the clever stickwork and I fine combination of its forwards giving it I a distinct advantage over the Colts. J In the opening stages Somerville launched a sparkling attack, the ball passing from I player to player in a style reminiscent of | the Indian Army team. Somerville's first goal came from H. Watts, who put in a j great shot from a acute angle. The Colts ! tried hard to get going, hut poor combinaj tion enabled the Somerville halves to >n- ! tercept passes. Somerville dominated the | play and E. Watts goaled. This was folI lowed by a further score, C. Watts net j ting. A sortie by the Colts resulted in a j corner which, however, proved fruitless, i Clever cross passing by Somerville enj abled H. Watts to add the fourth goal. I Claudet added the fifth after a sharp [ assault, and E. Watts ran through and i notched the sixth. The game was very oniv I sided and Somerville quickly added, two [ further iroals. the scorers being IT. Watts and C. Watts. | Upon changing over the Colts raced | through and Preston goaled. Somerville reI plied with a flanking movement from rrhich C. Watts scored. Another r»oal followed al most immedately. and then the Colts scored again, making the scores: Somerville, 10: Colts, 1. The dosing plnv was dominated by Sonierville, 11. Watts and E. Watts adding coals. V very one-sided game ended in fnvonr of Somerville by 12 goals to 2. LADIES' MATCHES. KNOCKOUT FINALS. Senior Grade. Mount Eden, 1 coals, 1 corner. , beat Training College. 2 goals. Extra time was played hefore a. decision was arrived nt. Junior Grade.- Somerville, 1 goal, beat Training College A, 0.