HOCKEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20869, 11 May 1931, Page 12

HOCKEY.

OPENING OF THE SEASON. THREE INTERESTING GAMES. PRINCIPAL CONTEST DRAWN. The hockey season in Auckland was opened oil Saturday afternoon with three senior matches of a standard which auguis well for the success of the game this year. The Western Springs Stadium ground was used for the first time, two senior games being played there Weather conditions were ideal, but. a rather heavy ground at the stadium slowed down the pace. A full programme of junior grade matches was played at. Remuera, Walker Park and Victoria Park. At the stadium, Mount Eden drew with Somervillc, the champion team last year, in a hard-fouglit match, each side scoring one point. St. Luke's defeated University by three goals to nil. At Remuera, North Shore defeated Wesley by three goals to nil in a game whicli was characterised by loss of opportunities in the circle, and by the clever goal work of Cooper for Wesley. TEAMS WELL MATCHED. MT. EDEN AND SOMERVILLE. Mount Eden and Somerville were well matched in their game, and pl»y in the first half particularly was of a high standard for the opening match of the season. In the second half, random open play detracted from the interest of the game, but the pace was fast from start to finish. Mount Eden opened with an attack led by Ilorspool and M. Jones, but Gardner denied and Schneidenian.i followed up with a fast dash down the lino. C. Walls took the pass and sent in a fine shot, which found the net Mount Eden carried play into Somerville's circle with a fast solo run. Iso score eventuated and play returned to midfield. C. Watts started on a promising run, but Mainland blocked him. Hunter gained control ot the ball and reached the circle. Mount Eden being forced to defend vigorously. After a period of uneventful play, Fletcher started a promising movement for Mount Eden, but Slainton was ready, and sent the ball back three-quarters the length of the field. Mount Eden was for some time penned up in the circle, out Somerville could, not take full i advantage of its opportunities Mainland cleared and M Jones sent the ball away, Hedges and M Jones reaching the circle. Jones, however, kicked the ball and the chance was lost. Fletcher nirl Chaplin attacked but the Somerville defence was too s rong. Cole finally cleared to C. Watts, who in a fine dash, nearlv reached the circle. He passec to M. Smith, whose shot went wide. Just before half-time the Mount Eden forwards got away in a fas' combined movement, which was rounded of! by Fletcher, who sent in a fast shot, the ball going into the not of! Butler's pads. Somerville. 1: Mount Eden, 1. .... Somerville started vigorously in the second half, with attack after attack O. Watts got with'n striking distance, but his shot went wide. Wellborne broke away nicely, and after a fine dash down the line, reaclied the circle, but Smith sent the ball out of.play, Somerville was soon back in Mount Eden's territory, but a likely attack by C. Watts was blocked by Mainland. A period of random long-hitting followed Fletcher made ground for Mount Eden, and passed to M. Jones, who shot, but Butler effected a good save borne,, ville gradually forced its way to the other end of the field, and Mount Eden was compelled to defend vigorously. In he last few minutes of the game, Mount Eden took up the offensive, and when the whistle blew, Somerville was putting up a stubborn defence in the circle The game ended in a draw, one goal each. tt B w?U Messrs. A. Williams and E. J. Hewitt were the referees.

WIN FOR ST. LUKE'S. MATCH WITII UNIVERSITY. The game between St. Luke's and University was a fast and interesting struggle. Honours were fairly even in the first spell, but toward 1 lie end of tho second half, versily's combination began to fan. and bt. Luke's gained the upper hand. . bast open play characterised the beginning ot tho match. Bey and Lamb earned out eeveral nice movement for University, but 1 .Clark blocked them each time. A period of hard attacks on tho other wing saw M Lukes defending until Williams sent Porbet away. A pass to Brown was offside, but St. Luke s continued its attack from the resultant bully. A series of wild speculating snots in the circle by three forwards in succession ruined tho opportunity. A fine wing dash by Lamb relieved University, but n centreing shot was not accepted. St. Lukes retaliated with a combined forward rush, which was saved by good defence work. Brown in particular showing to advantage. A fast dash by Grace njid Burnett down the wing was blocked by Chambers, who sent the ball out of play. From the corner, Robertson took a shot which was blocked, but Burnett gained control and sent in a nice shot which found the net. Half-time sounded shortly afterwards, the score remaining: St. Lukes. 1; University, °'St Luke'e attacked from the opening bully and'penned University in the circle. A few moments la*er. IBuruett scored Ins second goal fron. a corner shot. Lamb and A. Broun led an attack which reached St. Luke's circle, but play returned to midfield. Stuari and Torbet carried the ball down the wing and Bhown completed the movement. St.. Luke's, 3; University, 0. St. Luke's continued attacking vigorously, iorbet sent in a shot, which was neatly blocked by Crawley. Brown immediately secured and sent the ball into the net, but was held to be offside. At this stage Brown, St. Luke's centre-forward, was compelled to retire with an injured ear. St. Luke's kept up the attack in the last few minutes of the game, but no further score was made. _ n Messrs. A. Williams and E. J. Hewitt refereed the game. GAME OF LOST CHANCES. NORTH SHORE DEFEATS WESLEY. Wesley put up a good fight against North Shore, and the disparity between the teams was by no means us great as the score would indica»e. Weak circle play by ootn teams lost chances. Wesley commenced with a fast attack, but could not get within striking distance Storry sent Monteitn away down the fielo but a shot by 1 enman went wide. For a period Wesley was penned 111 the circle. Offside play by Haggett lost North Shore a chance. Monteith took a shot but it ,w?ut wide. A further chance was lost by Bed.ww e shot went ovei the top. A combined forward movement, took play again into the Wesley circle, and from loose play Cooper made a weak save Reid immediately secured the ball and scored. the whistle blowing shortly after. Wesley agaii. took the initiative at tho reopening of play, but the forwards were unable to round off the attack. Cooper made a good save a few minutes later, when Prater and Monteith led a forward movement. Wesley retaliated, A. Burton making a fine dash and shooting Rankin saved, but Hayson immediately secured tho ball and found the net. In doing so, he K ,,Vfi "stieku." and the goal was disallowed, bhore finally got the ball clear, and Blake scored the second goal by taking advantage of n weak clearing kick by Cooper and netting. After a short period of attacking by Wesley, Shore again took the offensive and Monteith goaled, making the final score: North Shore, 3. Wesley. 0. Messrs. G Waddinghain and R. Avery were the referees JUNIOR GRADES. Second Grade.— University B, fi. Somerville, 1: University A 2. St. Luke's 1; 'framing College, 3, Mount Eden. 2. Third Grade.—Mount Eden. li, St. Luke s. 2- Wesley, 3 Somervillo, 0. „ Fourth Grade— Wesley, 5. St Lukes. 2; Mount Albert Grammar. 2. Auckland Grammar B, 0; Auckland Grammar A, 4. Mount Eden. 0 „ Fifth Grade—Auckland Grammar B 7. Mount Albert Grammar B, 0: Somerville G. Mount Albert Grammar A. 3: Mount Albert Grammar C. IV Auckland Grammar A, 4. LA DIES' ASSOCIATION. Following are the results of matches nlayed or Saturday in the Auckland Ladies Uockev Association's competitions:— Senior Grade —Somerville. 6. beat Clevedon. 1: Weslny. 8, beat Kiwi. 5 beat Mour.t Eo >n, 2 s . Junior G-ado.-Mount Eden. 7. beat Kiwi, 0- Technical 2. be.t Clevedon. 1; Kiwi, 7 beat Mount Eden. 0- Wesley B. P., bent Y Y'.C.A . 0; Mnnurewa !). beat Wesley. 1. Intermediate Oracle. Pnpakura. <1 beat Technical. 2- Ngaro 2. beat Ngataringn. 1. HAMILTON COM PETITIONS. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON, Sunday The hockey season was opened in Hamilton yesterday. In the senior competition. Old Boys. 5, boat Ktiipaki, 0. and Hinetnoa. 11 beat Pirates, 4. In the junior division Ngahinepouri, 7, beat Old Boys. 2: Cambridge, 6, bout Kaipaki. 2, and Ilinemoa, 3, drew with High School, 8.