HOCKEY SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20925, 15 July 1931, Page 17

HOCKEY SEASON.

NORTH shore champions. FIRST SUCCESS IN DAVIS CUP. FOUR REPRESENTATIVE GAMES. Ending six. weeks earlier than last seaion the Davis Cup competition lias been won by North Shore for the first lime since the senior grade contest was origijiatecl in 1903. North Shore, which was ; 'tlio runner-up for the cup last year, finished with a. lead of five championship points over St. Luke's." Last Saturday's games were again marred by heavy ground conditions, particularly at Western " Spring s ) where the grounds have become jou'dicr and more slippery each Saturday. Chief interest centred in the mutch between North Shore and Somerville, the oiilv team previously to have beaten the leaders in the competition. On the day's form Somerville may quite possibly repeat, its success last year when, after doing only moderately well m the Davis Cup competition, it gained an easy victory in tlie second contest of the season, thg. Pevotiport Shield. As far as team play was concerned Somerville was undoubtedly superior, duo in ,j large measure to tho excellent play ef fcte halfback line. Glanville, on the jeit, was largely responsible for Monfeit'lrs subdued play? and Cole, on the oilier flank, gave a performance which fully justified his inclusion in tho team to meet Waikato on Saturday. The backs, Gardner and Smith, played sound games representative standard. Butler, in the goal, made several good saves in' tho face pf shock tactics. The forwards were not up to the standard of the defence and they lacked finish. Heard and Seccombe worked hard and showed a nice turn of pare. McNab's game at centre was fairly well adapted to the conditions, while ,Watts and Hunter put in some effective P»'y- . ... Good Saves Effected. Nankin, ill North goal, made issveral good saves, and his task was lightened .considerably by the good work of both Parker and Allen. Tho halfbacks worked hard, Wilson being perhaps tho most effective. The forward line did not,, give its usual dashing exhibition of fast hockey. The opposing defence was partly responsible for this, but the condition of the ground, which slowed down th>3 pace, was an important factor. Mon- . teith' and Anthony appeared to bo cramped by the opposing halves, especi ally Granville. Haggett played his typically fine game. On the other flank Pcnjn'ui and Held wore active, two of licid s centres being 'brilliant. The game in which University defeated Mount Eden by 1 goal to 0 was rf disappointing display. Hard hitting predominated and the tactics of Mainland,-the Mount Eden right fullback, finally led to Lis being warned by 'theTcferefe. University played an improved game, the return ci Radclift'e undoubtedly affecting the team's combination. Crawley was well sheltered by his backs, Brown and Ellis:n, and was not given ycry much work. Badcliffe, at centre-half, gave his usual sennd exhibition, and Chambers and N. Broun were also useful, particularly tlic former. Bcstic, the left wing, was_ probably the best forward. In the Mount Eden team Oliver, in the. goal, and Darroch, left fullback, did good work. Wellbourna and Fletcher were the pick of the forwards, although Anthony, a recent recruit, from second grade, played a keen game as left inside. Hesitation by Forwards. Wesley, which had shown some improvement in recent matches, suffered a rilapse in the game it lost to St. Luke s by 5 .goals to 0. Its forwards almost invariably hesitated with the ball on reaching the circle, and Wattam, in the St, Luke's goal-mouth, was given little to do. Williams and Clarky the two fullbacks, did not clear as well'as usual, tho • ground conditions probably being responsible. All three halfbacks played splendid games. In the forward line Stuart and Torbet carried out some nice movements and were perhaps the best on the day. Corin, filling Burnett's place temporarily <is loft inside, proved a valuable stand-by. • For Wesley Cooper, who was a junior representative in the first team to defeat, Canterbury for the Zauol Cup in 1924, was given a hard time in tho goal. Michel and A. B. Burton, the two fullbacks, indulged in speculating, but were generally successful. Fleet was easily the best of the halves. In the forward line Slaney and Chappell were not given the ball as much as they deserved.--Auckland hockey will be put to the test 5n four representative games this Saturday, and judging from the names selected bv Mr. W. Newshain the senior grade team at- least should be well up to last year's representative form. The team has -lot had opportunity for practice, but the presence of such a large proportion of players from the one team, North Shore, ' r»vill offset this. The forward line, in particular, should be considerably stronger than that of last year. No decision concerning the proposed challenge match against Canterbury for New Zealand Shield is to be made h the association executive until after the Auckland team is seen in action Against Waikato on Saturday. Waikato drew with Canterbury last Saturday, Canterbury thus retaining the trophy.