HOCKEY SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19663, 15 June 1927, Page 16

HOCKEY SEASON.

SENIOR CLUB MATCHES. SOMERVILLE STILL LEADS. 4* ARETA IN SECOND PLACE. By its victory over Mount Eden in the Auckland hockey competition on Saturday, Somerville maintained its position as leading team in the senior A section. Areta, by defeating Wesley, is now in second position, being one point behind Somerville, while University, St. Luke's, Mount Eden and Wesley follow in that order. The game between St. Luke's and University was an excellent exposition of fast, open play, with University displaying slightly better form all round. Although University held a territorial advantage in the first spell, its forwards were unable to finish off the movements succesfully. The slippery nature of the ground undoubtedly handicapped players in controlling the ball, and in consequence the circle work was poor. St. Luke's played with far better finish, and twice beat the defence in the opening half. The second spell found University* making great efforts to retrieve its position, and the St. Luke's defence was severely tested. The University forwards, playing with great determination, launched a long sustained series of fine concerted attacks, and two excellent goals were secured. Tlie closing stages of the game wore very exciting, University making repeated efforts to secure the lead, but the defence held and a great game ended in a draw. Prominent Players. The most noticeable of the University forwards were Seelen, Hamilton and Greenbank, the last-named, in particular, playing a brilliant game. The halves were wonderfully steady, with Radcliffe and Dr. Leonard giving capital exhibitions, both on defence and attack. Hume, one of the fullbacks, was sound in all departments. In the St. Luke's forward line Hookham and Foreman were conspicuous for fine, concerted play. Steele played a wonderfully consistent game at centre half, displaying splendid stickwork and excellent placing. He was ably supported by Robertson and Williams. The fullbacks Mills and A Williams performed very creditably especially in the closing stages, when their able defence played no smal part in preventing University from securing the lead. Superiority of Somerville. The contest between Mount Eden and Somerville provided a very bright display Somerville was undoubtedly the better team, its beautiful concerted attack ing movements at all times harassing the opposing defence. The backs displayed admirable skill in feeding the vanguard witli judiciously-placed pasess, while in defensive work they supported each other very ably. The inside forwards, E. Watts, C. Watts and Seccombe, wore associated in many finely-executed attacks, and they enhanced their reputation as being the finest players in their respective positions in Auckland club hockey. Cole was the most conspicuous of a brilliant rearguard. Mount Eden, after a brilliant display in the first spell, fell away somewhat in the second half. Against a weaker defence Mount Eden would have been far more dangerous. There was a noticeable lack of finish in attack when adjacent to the circle, players repeatedly hamper ing one another by losing position. Fletcher was the best of a hard-working forward line, while of the backs sound displays were given by Kelly and Hedges Wesley An Improving Team. A spectacular contest resulted between Areta and Wesley, the former team's forwards displaying fine combination and stickwork «»Tlie game developed into a duel between Areta's vanguard and Wesley's rearguard, and t.he result was in doubt until the final ren minutes of plav. when Areta twice broke through and scored. Although defeated the Wesley team gave its best performance to date, and, provided it improves in teamwork and combination, it should offer very stiff opposition in subsequent games. For Areta, J. Carter and Hayson initiated many fine forward movements, both players giving really clever exhibi tions. In the backs. Davis enhanced hi.« reputation as one of Auckland's most capable players, his all round form being brilliant. For Wesley, A. B. Burton and Fitt were often conspicuous m the forwards, while A. M. Burton and Lucas, the goalkeeper, were conspicuous on de fence. In the senior B section, University Colts defeated Epiphany after a keen struggle. The game was very evenly contested throughout, the Colt's gaining the advantage through the forwards' better efforts in finishing off attacking movements. Hew Zealand Representatives. The secretary ot the New Zealand Hockey Association has received an invitation " from the Olympic Games Council to send a representative New Zealand team to the Games at Amsterdam in 1928 This is probably a result of the promin ence given to hockey by the visit of the Indian Army team last year. Although it is scarcely possible to send a tean; next vear, it is highly probable an effort will be made to despatch a team for the 1932 Games, which will be held in Los Angeles. This season's North Island v. South Island match has been allotted to Can terbury, and it may be possible to play this match before the selection of tlip New Zealand team to tout Australia is made. It is understood the Wellington representatives will play the New Zealand team prior to sailing from New Zealand. - ASSOCIATION CUP FINAL. CARDIFF CITY'S VICTORY. DRAMATIC DECIDING GOAL. The King, and nearly 100,0Q0 of his subjects, were at the Stadium, Wembley, to see the Football Association cup final, which was won by Cardiff City, who de feated the Arsenal, London's oldest professional club, by one goal to nil, writes the London correspondent of the Herald It was a notable afternoon, firstly, on account of the community singing and. secondly, because a Welshman playing against Welshmen let the ball through the coal almost by accident and so decided the cup final. This Welshman must undoubtedly have been the most miserable man in England nnd Wales. He was D. Lewis, the Arsenal goalkeeper. It was one of those unlucky goals which may happen in the best regulated sides. A hard, low shot from the Cardiff centre forward. in one of those sudden breakaways which made his side dangerous, was saved by Lewis, the goalkeeper, on his knees. There was no one near him. His clearance was simple, and with confidence he swung about to throw the ball away. Every Arsenal supporter in that crowd of people gave a whistling' gasp of horror as the ball slipped from Lewis' hands. It bounced. It rolled. Lewis made a frantic dive as though he was trying to save his life, and the lives of his whole family, but the ball trickled over the goal-line. That fatal slip. Whenever Lewis had a moment of rest afterwards he stood a limp, despondent figure against the goalpost. His only consolation was that lie captured the cup final ball after the match —and ho probably hated it like anything. ' .