HOCKEY SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20563, 14 May 1930, Page 15

HOCKEY SEASON.

WALKER PARK GROUNDS.

SATURDAY'S SENIOR PLAY.

WHIPPETS' IMPROVED FORM. Tho Auckland Hockey Association solved the grounds problem on Saturday by taking all tho senior games out to Walker Park at Point Chevalier. Tho decision oi the Girls' Athletic Association in allotting it grounds 3, 6, 8 and 9 left it practically no option in the matter, for none of these grounds is at all suitable for senior play. This is the first occasion sinco the establishment of the game in Auckland on which no senior matches have been held at Remuera. Fortunately, the weather was perfect, otherwiso the absence of dressing sheds or any other shelter at Walker Park would have been much felt. Tho No. 2 ground I here suffers tho disadvantage of a decided slope, and on Sat,, urday it was hard and lumpy, this making the course of the ball a matter of chance. Sometimes the ball, although correctly rolled in, would swerve out again over the line. The No. 1 ground is quite level and has a better turf, but even on it the ball was inclined to bump disconcertingly Heavy rolling after a fall of rain should make a first-class ground of the No. 1 area. Ead Feeling Shown. The good "standard of play shown in the lirst spel I between Somervillo and St. Luke's was not maintained in tho second when considerable feeling was allowed to creep in. This necessarily marred the play and probably affected the result. After having what appeared to be a safe lead of 2 to 0, Somerville, which was without E. Watts and S. Hunter, had vie torv snatched from it.

Burnett was perhaps tho best of the St. Luke f forwards. J. Giles made a good leader, but Brown, a promoted second grade player, did not seem to combine well v.-ith the others. Grace, on the left wing, was frequently inclined to delay his pass in too long. In the back division, Robertson and T. Clark often caught the eye 'for useful work.

In Somervillo's front line, Seccombe and C. Watts gave a nice display of combined tactics. Schneideman, on the left wing, also showed good .form, but his eagerness occasionally took him offside. Staint.cn acquitted himself very well in the important post of centre-half, and Glanville showed improved form. Smith played one of his best games, and Wilkie was safe in goal. E. Watts is making a good recovery from his injury, and will probably be seen in action again shortly An Improved Showing.

University Whippets were out on Saturday to justify their inclusion in the senior ranks, and there is no doubt that their much improved display against their senior elubmates went far toward doing this. Helped in the first half by the marked slope of the ground, they carried the war into the A team's camp from the start, and held it there for tho greater part of the first spell. The hard and bumpy nature of the ground was against accuracy and combination on either side, but in the fast, open play that took place the Whippets seemed quite well able to hold their own. A. S. Broun did very good wort: in the centre of the Whippets forward line, and Adams, on his right, showed a useful turn of speed. M. J. Broun and Chambers, in the half-line, were valuable both in stopping and in making openings for their forwards. In 'Gurney and Leonard the Whippets have two reliable fullbacks, each of whom got them out of trouble cleverly on numerous' occasions.

Ilay, the A team's left winger, who scored the only goal of the game, was probably on the day the best forward on the field. He showed excellent judgment and most accurate control of the ball. The reason why Seelen was not so prominent as on the previous Saturday was that he was nursing an injury to his toe. Noakes played a very steady game, and as usual Radcliffe had a big share in the hard work. Crawley gave a very sound exhibition in goal, where he was called on to deal with not a few difficult situations. Considerable confusion arose throughout the game owing to both teams having tho same jerseys, and when they meet again arrangements should be made to ha v., them clearly dis tinguished. Wild Shooting. Making its first appearance of tho season, Mount Eden gave a somewhat patchy and unfinished display against Wesley. The ground was no doubt partly to blame. In spite of rumours to the contrary Chaplin turned out for his old club and played his usual hustling game. Wild shooting was characteristic of the forward line, who threw away several excellent chances by missing tho goal altogether. Wesley has a very keen, well-balanced forward line, but it found the defence, for which Mainland and Anderson were largely responsible, too solid. Vail, in goal, was also to be relied on.

The Mount Eden forwards frequently broke through the opposing halves and put the fullbacks, Fleet and Michel, to a severe test. They both stood up to it well and tackled with determination and judgment. Several good saves were to Donovan's credit. White showed up well in the half-line and often turned back an attack.

A friendly game between representatives of tho naval men now in port and a group calling themselves the Nomads will take place at Remuera this afternoon.

BRITISH EMPIRE GAMES, CARNIVAL FOR AUCKLANDERS In order to assist toward raising funds to send G. Bridson and Miss Gladys Pidgeon to the Empire Games in Canada tho Auckland Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association is organising a carnival for Tuesday evening next. A really attractive programme has been arranged, including record-breaking attempts by Bridson, R. Thomas and Miss Pidgeon, championship relay races, handicap events, and a water polo match be tween two of the leading teams, Ponson'iv A and Mount ftden. All that is now ••<'- quired to make the gala nil unqualified success is the support of swimmers and public alike.

When news was received in Auckland that the British Empire (James Committee. in Wellington, had placed a ban 011 tho nomination of lady athletes it was thought Mr-s Pidgeon would bo prevented from going to Canada, However, all apprehension has been dispelled by the receipt by Miss Pidgeon of a letter from (he swimming council's representative on I lie committee.. Mr. P. Coira, who says there is nothing to prevent her from making the trip so long as she is able to defray her own expenses.

YACHT RACING.

RESAIL BY TAKAPUNA CLUB.

I'he Taknpuna Moating Club's resail of the two races for class '/, on Saturday caused considerable interest, especially the (irst event. This brought out Kitty, Tio, Tre vie, Oi, and Me Too. Tio and Trevic fought out a great race from start to finish, lYevie crossing the line 10 seconds ahead of Tio. A protest has been entered against Trevic for not giving room at the turning mark. The matter will tie dealt with by the Sailing Committee. The wind fell very light when Iho second race was started and the. course was shortened accordingly. Kilty led to the first mark followed by Oi, and before the next mark was reached the other four competitors retired. Kitty was tlio winner.