HOCKEY SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20931, 22 July 1931, Page 15

HOCKEY SEASON.

REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. FAST DISPLAY. AT HAMILTON. COUNTRY WEEK TOURNAMENT. The large crowd of spectators at the [Auckland-Waikato match at Hamilton on Saturday witnessed the fastest and most interesting game seen in the Auckland Province for years. Auckland was beaten by one goal to three, but the difference between the two teams was by no means as great as the score would suggest. Tho Auckland team had never played together mid its performance augurs well for any future representative games that may be arranged. Vaile, in the Auckland goal, made his clcbut as a representative player, and after starting nervously, effected some very good saves in the latter stages of the game. Of tho two fullbacks, Parker played the better game, but was inclined to be patchy. Tho hitting of the fullbacks left much to be desired. Possibly the rather bumpy ground affected them; in any case, mishitting and bad clearances were frequent. The halves, after performing raggedly in the first few minutes of the game, settled down to a hard, hour's play against vigorous attacks. Robertson, the centre, justified his position and performed very well, both on attack and defence. Colo played well on the right and pent some very fine passes to the forward line. As in other matches, T. Clark, left half, started indifferently, but was'going ;ivell at the finish. Of the forwards, the outstanding players ,wers Watts, Anthony and Monteith. Reid on the left wing, kept his position well and played a good game, but was well marked. Haggett, in the centre, did not reveal his usual dash, and was apparently affected by changed conditions. Finch Shows Up. Well. Tho Waikato goalkeeper, Jack*, upheld Jiis reputation as a first-class defender, and the one shot .which he missed was almost unbeatable. L. Speirs was probably the more conspicuous of the two fullbacks, although Ewan played his usual sound game. In the halfback line, Brough, on the right, was outstanding, and his well-timed placing was of great assistance to the forward line. R. Munro, the exSomerville player, gave a sound exhibition at centre-forward. Much of the success of the forwards was due to the efforts of G. Finch, on the left. His ability to serve up good centres was very much in evidence. The rest of the line worked well and was rewarded for its fine efforts in the circle. Played at a fast pace from start to finish, the game between the B Auckland representative team and the Country representatives, was the most interesting seen on Auckland city grounds this season. Both sides suffered from lack of team practice, but under the circumstances the amount of combined work displayed must ■\>a considered very effective. As the icores indicate, Country was unable to stand up to the onslaughts of the Town forward line, all the members of which played well up to usual form. Probably the outstanding forward on the day was Penman ; inside left. Although the ground was not fast enough to suit exactly his style, he played an energetic and almost faultless game. In hi.s enthusiasm, however, he wandered too much over the field, on one arriving in the Country circle on the right wing position. These tactics were to some extent justified by the need for_ individual play rather than intricate combined movements. Penman has undoubtedly made tremendous improvement this year, and had C. Watts not been available for the left inside position, Penman on Saturday s play would have easily justified his inclusion in the A team. Grace, left wing,- did not show up as much as might have been expected, but he put in some very useful work. He was up against the pick of the Country defence, R. Smith and Dunning. As centre-forward, Bay gave a very good exhibition, and he finished off a number of movements with excellent shots. Chaplin and Fletcher, of the Mount Eden team, •worked well together. Work of Country Eight Flank. In the half-line, Fleet, Wesley s left half, showed to advantage. Most of the Country attacks came down the right, and he was given some strenuous work. Wilniott and Storrv played sound games. Both fullbacks did well, F. Clark being a little surer in his clearances. In the goal, Rankin had a fair amount of worjc and he displayed judgment and skill. The country team failed through lack of finish, particularly in the circle. An outstanding player was the 15-year-old right fullback, Dunning, whose stopping and clearing were real obstacles to Town. RSmith, right half, was particularly useful in the half-line, and it is rather remarkable that the right of the forward line also was much stronger than tho left. L. Smith, right wing, made some nice runs, and was ably seconded by Bvles. Sloane, left inside, played a splendid game. The weather was very unfavourable for the Country Week tournament last week, every day being wet and stormy. In spite of the condition of the grounds, however, the standard of hockey on the was higher than that in the past few years. Whangarei, going through the contests unbeaten, gained the White Horse Cup from Waipa, which had held it the previous two years. As runnersap, Rodney secured tho Captain White Cup.