HOCKEY SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19717, 17 August 1927, Page 16

HOCKEY SEASON.

DEVONPOKT SHIELD GAMES

ARETA TEAM IN THE LEAD.

COMMENT ON THE MATCHES.

The standard of play was not very high in the Auckland Hockey Association's games for the Devonport Shield. The playing areas were soft and slippery and players experienced difficulty in maintaining a foothold. Thero are three teams who have not so far suffered defeat.. Areta. with six points, is in the lead, having had three wins; while Somerville and University, who have each played two games, are in second place, with four points. St. Luke's and Somerville Colts are next, both teams having won one game, lost one and drawn one; Epiphany, Wesley and Training College follow, each with one win and two losses, while Mount Eden and University Colts have failed to secure a point.

University was far too strong for Epiphany, and held a territorial advantage throughout. The University forwards played with fine combination, and showed good judgment when adjacent to the circle. The shooting was deadly, the Epiphany goal being continually bom barded with hard, well-placed shots.

Epiphany's exhibition was very haphazard, tho players continually being caught out of position. The University players accustomed themselves to the conditions much better than Epiphany. The forwards in particular played tho style of game to suit the heavy ground. Hamilton, in the centre, controlled the ball ably and initiated many fine movements. The inside men, Seelen and Miller, were conspicuous. Green bank, on the right, and Philpotts, on the left, were seen in spectacular solo efforts; Philpotts scored three splendid goals. The University halfline played with admirable judgment and the Epiphany front lino experienced great difficulty in breaking through the sound defence. Radchffe used his reach in clover intercepting, while his anticipation was good. Leonard and Barrett ably supported him. Hume and Brown, in the fullback positions, played very consistent games. Hume's stopping, hitting arid placing were first-class.

The only Epiphany forwards to show good form were Merryweather and Hewitt, and their work was often spoiled through poor support. The Epiphany backs had a very strenuous time coping with the frequent strategic attacks of the opposing forwards. Mills and Lye performed best. Contrast in Tactics. The contest between Somerville and Mount Eden provided a striking contrast in tactics. Somerville showed excellent combination in the vanguard and splendid co-operation by the rearguard in offensive mo\ r ements. Mount Eden relied on hard hitting and fast following up, tactics that were easily countered by Somerville's sound back play. Some of the concerted attacks by the Somerville forwards were magnificent, practically every player touching the ball and drawing the defender before passing to tho supports. Somerville's work in the circle was clean, the shooting being excellent. E. Watts, at centreforward, was in capital form, and was ably supported by Lee and Hunter in concerted play. The wings, H. Watts and Rogers, made many good runs, and both centred nicely. Haggett and Baildon, in the half-line, successfully countered the Mount Eden attacks.

Mount Eden was a disappointing team, its players being palpably out of form. The backs were weak and offered but little opposition to the Somerville \nnguard. Areta gained a meritorious victory at the expense of St. Luke's. The winners' concerted attacking movements were a. continual source of worry to St. Luke's rearguard. The mid-field play of the St. Luke's forwards was good, but when adjacent to the circle players made too many errors, and the side was repeatedly penalised. The circle play was mediocre. Areta made the most of its openings, its play in this connection being in striking contrast to that of its opponents. J. Carter and Havson were the most conspicuous of the forwards, while in the backs sound displays were given by Savage. Smallwood and Davis. °The best of a hard-working forward line for St. Luko's were Duncan, Craig and Bay. The halves were seen in good allround play, Steele and Foreman showing to most advantage. Williams and Hills, the fullbacks, did good work. Sonieivillo Cobs and University Colts provided a close struggle for supremacy, victory eventually going to the former. Somerville fully deserved the win, as the forwards played with better understanding than the opposition. The backs, too, were a sounder defensivo unit than University. The best of the Somerville players wtre Peace, Preston and Munro. For University Taylor and .Toll played well. Good Play by Ladies. An excellent exposition was given by the Training College A team and Mount Eden, The result was a true indication of the merits of the teams. Both forward lines hit the ball about freely and showed fair judgment. The defensive work by the respective back divisions was sound. The College B team created a surprise by defeating Arawa The win was well earned, as the college players were quick to avail themselves of chances. . Arawa's performance was disappointing, the forwards making far too many errors when in close proximity to the College goal. A hard, even struggle was provided by Somerville and St. Cnthbert's. The attacking movements were only fair, and neither set of forwards showed any enterprise in driving home its advantage. It is pleasing to record the success of the New Zealand team in Saturday's match against New South Wales. New Zealand's victory was, according to the reports, well deserved. The side has now played eight matches, winning seven and drawing one. It has scored 65 goals and only 7 goals have been scored against it. Tho cnief scorers for Now Zealand aro: Watts (16), Bell (16), Seccomhe (9) and Lusty (6). Upon the occasion of the first tour in Australia 'of a Now Zealand team, New South Wales was the only side to defeat New Zealand. Judged on its display against New Soujth Wales, tho present team has an excellent chance of retaining an unbeaten certificate.

GOOD CRICKET SCORE.

SCHOOLBOY'S FINE BATTING.

Playing for Dover College against King's School, Canterbury, England, (J. 11. b\ Jenney mado 232 out of a total of 320 for seven wickets (declared), hitting eight sixes and 30 fours. This is the largest innings played in a match between two well-known English schools since L. Guise made 278 for Winchester against Eton six years ago. In the first week of March, 1925, however, 13. M. Salmon, who has played for Now South Wales, ran up 385 for Sydney Church of England Grammar School against Sydney High School.