HOCKEY SEASON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21281, 7 September 1932, Page 15

HOCKEY SEASON

ijevonport shield contests SPLENDID DEFENSIVE PLAY goalkeeper in fine form The drawn match between St. Luke's end University in the final round of the Devonport Shield hockey competition on Saturday was a clear-cut contest between two powerful lines of defcnco and two weaker combinations of forwards. Although territorial honours were fairly even in the first half, in the second spell St. Luke's was almost continuously in the University circle, and it was only the brilliant defence of the University fullbacks and goalkeeper, coupled with the random nature of the attacking forwards' efforts, that prevented numerous scores. ,When the University forward line did get away it was given even more open chances to score, but failed just as notably sis St. Luke's. Honours of the day undoubtedly go to CraWjey, the University goalkeeper, who played an almost faultless game. He was always in position, and, without being rash, he anticipated cleverly. It was in melees that he showed to greatest advantage. He was ably shielded by the Wo'fullbacks, Brown and Robinson, who Save developed a splendid combination. The halfback line, although overshadowed on the day by the St. Luke's halves, was nevertheless good in both attack and defence. Radcliffe, centre, was the most prominent; N. Broun, left, also working rery strenuously and effectively. University Forwards The forwards probably showed more clever circle play than St. Luke s„ They kept position better and had more cohesion. It was the almost impassable defence that kept them from showing to greater advantage. Ross, left inside, was the mpst outstanding, but much of his Tvork was dependent on Smith,- left wiug, who played a splendid game. He worked probably harder than any other player on the field, and he is proving himself an invaluable member of the line. Lamb, centre, was not quite at home in the position," which was taken only in the absence of Bay. A. Broun, right inside, and Don did not see so much of the ball as the other flank, but when they gained control they were seen in some nice movements.

For St. Luke's, Carson, guarding the goalmouth in the absence of Wattam, made a good showing, although he was not given so much to do as Crawley. "Williams and F. Clark formed a very solid fullback line, but principal defence honours go to the halves, each of whom was on top form. They broke up the majority of the University attacks _in their earliest stages, and by their placing of shots kept the forwards well supplied with the ball. They were instrumental even <more than the van in keeping play for so large a proportion of the game in University territory. Faults Among Forwards Vipond, right inside, was probably the best member of the line, W. Burnett, right /wing, also being prominent for nicely-executed centres. The great fault ot the forward line's circle play was the indiscriminate manner in which the attacks were carried out, and Brown, centre, showed this fault very noticeably. His hitting at times was very wild. N. Burnett and Grace, on the left, did not work as usefully as might have been expected. Mount Eden did well in holding out Somerville through almost the whole of the first spell. In the second half the pace began to tell, but the final score of 3—o against it was a very fair effort. Scnierville /did not play its strongest team, there being three alterations from the usual combination. Jordan in the goalmouth stopped sereral good shots. Smith, left fullback, was not on form, and his partner, Moore, probably played the better game. The halfbacks, who included Glanville, Hedges and Gurr, Were in good form, Glanville finding himtelf quite at home in the position in which he had played until a couple of seasons ago. Junior Shows Promise The forward line did not play its usual game. Maxwell, right inside, who came np from second grade to take the place of Seccombe, who had been injured during the week, showed up well. Wollbourne, on the left wing, played his first game''after the Australian tour and, in the second half particularly, was seen in some fine attacks. Oliver, Mount Eden's goalkeeper, was the outstanding member of the team. He showed that be is one of Auckland s coming goalkeepers. A. Ilorspool was probably the better of the two fullbacks on the day. Lomax, a new member of the halfback line, showed good promise ngaiust the two Watts brothers. Hayson, centre forward, played well until he was injured toward the end of the first half, and Jan sen, left wing, also was a hard worker in the first spell. J. Horspool, fight wing, delayed his centres too long he did not "follow up enough.