HOCKEY SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20629, 30 July 1930, Page 17

HOCKEY SEASON.

SENIOR GRADE POSITIONS. DEVONPORT SHIELD CONTEST. ANNUAL INTER-ISLAND MATCH. After a two weeks' break caused by tho bad state ol the grounds through hockey week and by the playing of tho Hugby lost match last Saturday, the club competitions will be -esumed at Reiiiuera on Saturday. . With the second round of the matches, now more than halfway through, University is in a strong position. As fai as championship points arc concerned. University is leading with It). St. Luke's being next in the running with 14. Mount E'.len and North Shore each has 12, Somervillo 9 and Wesley 8, while so far University Whippets have been unlucky. Much will depend on the game to be played on Satuiday between Nur.lh Shore and St Luke'- If North Shore wins it will stand well up in the competition, as St. Luke's still has a bye. duo to it. 11,0 Mount Edeu-Sonirrville game should also be full of interest. The third fixture, University Whippets versus Wesley, will piobably result in a win for Wesley, but tho Whippets' unproved form may make a keen struggle. University has a bye. There are now only three more Saturdays' plav for the Davis Cup and immediately ori the completion of that competition, play will bo begun for the Devonport Shield. The rules for this contest provide' for a comploto round of seven games for each team, if all tho present teams enter.

Junior Grade Competitions. The junior grade competitions are now well advanced and the teams are soiting themselves into place. Following are the points seoi-cd by the various teams to date. Second grade.—St. Luke's. 19 ; Mount Eden, Otaliuhu, 16; University A, 15; Someiville, 13; University Colts, 8; Training College, 7; Wesley, Birkenhead, 4; Papatoetoe, u ithdravvn. Third Grade.—Auckland Grammar, 16; Otaliuhu. Sonierville, 12; University, 7; St. Luko s, 6, Training College, 5. Fourth Grade. —Mount Albeit Grammar, 19; Somerville, 14; Mount • Edeu, Auckland Grammar. 13; Papatoetoe, 12 ; St. Luke's, 11; Wesley, University, 2. Fifth Grade.—Auckland Giammar B. 12; Mount Albert Giamrnar A, 9; Auckland Grammar A, o; Sonierville, 5; Mount Albeit Grammar B, 0. There are now 'seven rounds to he played in the second grade, five in the third, three in the fourth and three in the fifth grade, but in the last-named grade there are several games in the schools, postponed because of the holidays, which have yet to be played off. Ihe Otahuliu second grade will send a team to Morrnisville on Saturday to play a friendly game with Piako. Univeiriitv, winch has a bye on Satuiday, is endeavouring to at range a game with University Old Boys. Arrangements are being made for h representative Waikuio team to visit Auckland to play the annual game between the two associations' representative teams. August 9 has been suggested as a suitable date. Ihe difficulty that players would experience in getting Lhe necessary leave j will prevent Auckland from sending a J team this year to Ciiristchiirch to play |in the challenge shield series. The recent Canterbury-Wellington game resulted in a draw, so that Canterbury still holds the shield. Inter-Island Game. Arrangements have been made, to play tho intel island match on August 16 at Nfe'son and nominatiois are now being caded for. Mr. It. Thompson, of Wanganui, has been appointed sole selector for the North Island and Mr. P. N. Quartermain, sole selector for the South Island.

Hip question of sending a New Zealand (earn to the Olympic (James, to be held ir> Los Angeles in 1932 was discussed at' tno last meeting of the New Zealand Association's executive. Mr P. N Quarto main, who brought the subject forward. said that as Los Angeles is the nearest centre to New Zealand in winch the Games had ever been held, the oppor tiinity of sending a team at a compara lively small cost should be taken. It was decidecl finally to defer the matter until it was known when the Indian Army team would bo available to visit the Dominion. A handbook which will be of invaluable help and interest to all connected with hockfy is at present being prepared by Mr. li •! Hewitt, socretary of the Auckland Association. Ihe book will include a comprehensive record of Auckland hockey since its inception. Foi the eailier records. Mr. Hewitt expresses appreciation of the belli given him by a previous handbook compiled by Mr. L 11. Norton.