HOCKEY SEASON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21493, 17 May 1933, Page 17

HOCKEY SEASON

i ST. LUKE'S GOOD WIN KEENLY-CONTESTED MATCH f IMPROVED STANDARD OF PLAY Perhaps tho outstanding featuro of Saturday's games in tho second round c[ tlio Davis Cup hockey competition was St. Luke's hard-fought victory over gomervillo. All three games were of an improved standard, but tho match- in which tho present holders of the trophy wero beaten was tho hardest and closest jtussle seen for somo time. Tho issuo of the game was in doubt until the final "pliistle. Although tho honours went to the goincrvilio forwards and tho St. Luke's defence, nevertheless each team as a whole played a sound and very well balanced game. St. Luke's certainly appears at last to have raised its forward line to a level with its consistently found defence, and its chances of annexing the trophy on present form are bright. Wattam, in the goal, played a good game, although he was not given as much work to do as Vaile. Both fullbacks were steady, Williams being perhaps sounder than F. Clark, although the last-named contributed several of his typically spectacular clearing shots. ( Robertson in Form Robertson, right half, played a really lard game, and is evidently already at the top of his form. In the centre, Brodio ranged out of position a little and in consequence did not cover E. Watts consistently. As left half, T. Clark played a clever and strenuous game, although he is not yet perhaps fully up to form. Giles, right wing, was seen to advantage in many at-

tacks, but was inclined to delay too ionff before centering. Torbet, inside, while not given so many opportunities as on the previous week, scored an excellent goal, while Yipond did well as centre-forward. Cor in, left inside, played a useful game and with a little more confidence will be a very sound member of the team. His goal was a splendid effort. Grace, left wing, while playing a good game, spoiled chances by: delayed centering and by ineffective tackling and melee play, In the Somerville goalmouth, Yaile was on representative form. He seldom made a false move while his clearing shots ' were very effective. Both fullbacks. Smith and McNab, were solid, McNa'b showing improvement over last week. Heard, right halfback, proved by Saturday's play that he holds great promise, and Wilmott and Hedges combined with him to form a halfback line Which is probably overshadowed only bv that o£ St. Luke's. "As left wing, Wellbourne was almost back to form", but E. Watts and C. Watts have not yet been seen at their best this season. Glanville, right inside, was a hard worker and was responsible for a large proportion of the Somerville attacks, but Maxwell, right wing, stdl has to gain confidence, (especially in circle play. Win University

The match in which University de- • feated Training College by four goals to one was not > as good an exhibition sis was expected, both teams, and especially . Training College, lacking finish in the circle. "University retained territorial honours through the greater part of the game and it was largely on "account of the good work of # Chadwick in the goal that the final score was not. much higher in University's favour.- At the same time, Training Col-

lego was able to send down many co'unter-attacks -which were characterised by clever individual work in tho field.

In the University goalmouth, Captain Brown struck form and was responsible for many good saves. He plays a bolder game than is generally seen on Auckland's comparatively bumpy grounds, but he was seldom caught at fault. Both Robinson and Brown were sound as filVnacks, while in the halfback line a forceful game was played bv Fraser who took bis position for the first time as right half. There is apparently little to choose between him aud Watson, who took the position last week. In the forward line two changes from last week's team were made. Bhilpott, on the right, took his place again after nearly three years,' absence, and he showed that by the time lie 1-eturns to form he will be a formidable member o.f the team. Bowling, on > the other wing, played a very promising and" keen game, and,, in conjunction with N. Burnett, who was working very effectively as inside, was responsible for several very nice movements. A. Broun played an unselfish and useful game as centre forward, but Boss, inside right, proved himself the goal-getter of the day. He let very few opportunities pass.

Honours to Halfbacks

Although Miller and McKeown were Steady as fullbacks in the Training College team, the honours go to the halfbacks, Pickens and Boswoll doing particularly well. Kirgan was found out pf position rather frequently while his directional hitting was not good. Brooking, Training College's right wing, played a very keen and useful game, s:is goal being an excellent proof of the advantage of following-in. The best performance of the forwards, however, ,Was undoubtedly given by Crawley, at fcen,tre.

Papateotoo undoubtedly showed improvement in the match North Shore ,Won by firo goals to two. Although fragged, the game was reasonably even pxcept for two periods of about five iiiinntes each in which North Shore completely over-ran its opponents. iKpight was given an. unenviable task Sn the Papatoetoe goalmouth, and he l&cquitted himself very creditably, ftvhilo Lusb.v, left fullback, showed considerable improvement and added confidence, 'particularly in the second half. iMoore, centre, was probably the best pf the halfbacks. .After further experience together the forwards should make very fair showing, sinco •individually several have great promise, aud Pa.v is able to take the key position. Individualists as always, tho North phor'e forwards lost a good many chances in circle play, A. Anthony being the best opportunist of the line the day. The team as a whole, howpver, was not extended and the defence generally was sound.