HOCKEY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22137, 17 June 1935, Page 15

HOCKEY

PLAY BELOW STANDARD THE DEVONPORT SHIELD AUCKLAND TEAM'S FORM Owing chiefly to the poor condition of the grounds after the recent heavy rain little good hockey was seen in the third and fourth rounds of the Auckland Hockey Association's Devonport Shield competition decided at Remuera on Saturday. The Auckland representative team, which will shortly meet the Indians, again played two matches. In the first game, against St. Luke's, it won by a margin of seven goals, but in the second match, with Somerville, it was fully extended to win by three goals. The Auckland players combined well against St. Luke's, a definite improvement being apparent in the backs. They did not show to the same advantage, however, :n the second came, the bustling tactics of Somerville proving highly successful. The remaining games were not of great interest. The heavy nature of the fields made hard hitting essential, and few of tho teams showed any combination. Mount Eden displayed a definite improvement by securing a draw with both Grammar Old Boys and St. Luke's, while University did well to defeat Somerville and Wesley. Following were the scores in the senior games:—Third round, Devonport Shield contest: University, 2, Somerville, 1; Grammar Old Boys, 1, Mount Eden, 1; Wesley, 5, Papatoetoe, 0. Fourth round: University, 1, Wesley, 0; Grammar Old Boys, 6, Papatoetoe, 1; St. Luke's, 2, Mount Eden, 2. Representative practice matches: Auckland, 7, St. Luke's, 0; Auckland, 4, Somerville, 1.

IMPROVED COMBINATION REPRESENTATIVES STRIKE FORM The Auckland representative team gave a greatly improved showing in its game against St. Luke s on tho No. 2 ground. The backs had been considerably changed ®ince last week. Smith replaced .Tones at fullback, while N. Broun and Hogben rbplacecJ _ Roughton and Pickens in the halfline. Twigden played instead of E. Watts, who was not available, and he gave a very promising exhibition. The better understanding between Auckland's backs was the most striking feature of the game. F. Clark was in good form and received sound support from Smith. The halyes combined well and the forwards were seen in some excellent movements. Straight from the bully the Auckland forward line swept up the field and C. Watts scored. A second Inter they repeated the performance for Floyd to net. Both these goals were tho result of perfect combination. St. Luke's defence being given no chance to check the movements. Wellbourne made several fine runs, civing C. Watts opportunities which he never failed to turn to account. Watts, who was the outstanding man last week, played another excellent came, scoring four out of Auckland's total of seven goals. From a w-ell-placed centre by Wellbourne, Twigden secured (he ball and successfully drew his man to score with a very neat shot. Carson played well in goal for St. Luke's, while King, at fullback, also performed strenuous wqrk. The St. Luke's team, as a whole, however, did not give a very impressive display, the fast attacks of tho Auckland forwards being overwhelming. The 'final score was: Auckland. 7, St. Luke's, 0. Messrs. H. Watts and A. Rivers were ■umpires.

AUCKLAND EXTENDED SOMERVILLE PLAYS WELL In its second game, against Somerville, the Auckland team was extended to the full. Jones, of Grammar Old Boys. replaced F. Clark at fullback, while Roughton took N. Bronn's position in the halfline. The Somerville team, sadly depleted through players being included in tho Auckland side, included six second grade men. In spite of this it made an excellent, stand and was unfortunate not to havo registered more goals. Faced with hard hitting and fast following up, the Auckland team was confined time and again in its own circle. The young Somerville forwards, playing with great dash, thoroughly upset the defence, and Delahunty was called on to make several difficult saves. For a period of about five minutes soon after the commencement of the game Somerville had Auckland confined to its own twenty-five. It was only lack of finish in the circle which prevented a score. Auckland rallied well and Henderson. a second-grade player, made some excellent saves in goal for Somerville. The four balls which passed him gave him little chance. C. Watts registered Auckland's first coal with a powerful drive, while Twigden netted soon after. C. Watts was responsible for the third goal, which was secured after tne forwards had been pressing hard for some time. Somerville made a determined rally, and after a fast run Cochrane sent in a fast bnll to defeat Delahunty. Tho Auckland forwards always played with admirable dash, Twigden being very conspicuous. Floyd secured the fourth goal with a hard shot from close range. The final score was: Auckland, 4. Somerville, 1. Messrs. H. E. Watts and A. Rivers were umpires. HARD-FOUGHT GAME A keen struggle took place between University and Wesley, and there was no score until shortly before time. Wesley relied upon hitting the ball hard and following up fast, while University was more inclined to vary the attack with long passes. Neither side, however, showed a great deal of combination, a considerable amount of the game comprising hard exchanges in mid-field. Wilson and Halliwell both played safely at fullback, while Captain Brown, in goal, showed good judgment in going out to clear and in making several difficult saves. N. C. Robinson was never wanting in the half-line, while Bennett infused plenty of dash into his game in the forwards. Pickens was hitting too hard and losing many chances while in the Wesley team K iff. who was unlucky not to score, showed a tendency to wander out of position. The teams were evenly matched, however, and the final score was: University. 1; Wesley. 0. Messrs, A. Biddlo and H. McQuarrio were umpires.

WIN FOR WESLEY Little good hockey was seen in the match betwen Wesley and Papatoetoe. From start to finish Wesley was in the ascendancy nnd it was only lack of finish in the circle which prevented it from winning by an even bigger margin. Both teams lacked combination, although the Wesley forwards were seen in severnl good rushes. Phillpotts, Neate, Andrews, K Iff and Pickens all scored. Smytheman, Papatoetoe's centre forward, performed a lot of work but he missed several chances. Cox also ployed strenuously, but the Papatoetoe forwards lacked thrust- and many promising movements were spoiled through players retaining possession of the ball instead of passing. Boswell, in the Papatoetoe half-line, adopted bustling tactics with success, checking several dangerous rushes. Fleet played a sound for Wesley, but tho majority of the remaining players were only mediocre. Tho final score was: Wesley, 5; Papatoetoe, 0. Messrs. A. R. Biddlo and H. C. McQuarrie were umpires.

MOUNT EDEN'S GOOD DISPLAY Mount Eden, playing its second game on the No. 9 ground, gave n surprisingly good display against, St. Luke's, and secured a draw, St. Luke's was the first to score, but Mount Eden equalised, and, after St. Luke's had netted ago in. Clnik goaled with a powerful shot, to make the final score:— St. Luke's, 2; Mount Eden, 2. Opposed by a strong defence, the Mount Eden forwards gave their best performance of the season. Brown displayed some of his characteristic dash, while Horspool proved his ability in the circle. The halfline worked well together, nnd Bowden played safely at. fullback. Grace wns conspicuous on the left wing for St, Luke's, while Fenton and Alexander both played Foundly. Messrs. G. Peace nnd H. E. Rankin were umpires.

PAPATOETOE OVERWHELMED The good combination of the Grammar Old Boys' forward line %vas largely responsible for Pnputoetoe's defent on the No. 3 ground. Grammar secured a goal within the first minute of piny, nnd it was obvious from the outset that the weakened Papatoetoe defence would have little opportunity in checking any fast movements. "With Smytheman and Anthony missing from the Papa^

toetoa forward line, the Grammar defence was never pressed hard. Grammar, however, missed a lot of opportunities, nnd the score should have been far greater. Torbet was tho best of the inside forwards, while Armstrong and Jerrnrn were 6een in some pretty moves down both flanks. The final score wns:—Grammar Old Boys, 5; Papatoetoe, 0. Mr. H. Skinner was umpire. HARD-FOUGHT MATCH The match between University and Somerville on the No. 3 ground provided a close and interesting struggle, the final score being: University, 2; Somerville, 1. Sornerville was two men short at the commencement of the game, and University scored before they arrived. The goal was registered as a result of a fine run by Cooper, who accepted a centre from Frnser on the half volley, and gave Henderson no chance to save. From then on tho game waa very even. University securing the deciding goal after Somerville had equalised. The superior combination of University earned it its win. Tho right flank was always impressive and wns instrumental in securing the two scores. Watson was, perhaps, tho best of the halves, while Halliwell and Wilson both gave sound displays as fullbacks. Captain Brown, in goal, made two good saves, but was given little opportunity to stop the fast-travelling ball sent in by Glanville. Glanville was the hardest worker in Somerville's forward line, and he received capable support from Braithwaite. Henderson also did well in goal. Messrs. H. Skinner and R. Avery were umpires. A RAGGED DISPLAY The exceptionally bad condition of the No. 9 ground, where Grammar Old Boys met Mount Eden, made good hockey impossible. The majch was hard-fought from start to finish, but neither eet of forwards could make any success of accurate passing on such a bumpy and sticky surface. As a result, the game developed into a hard-hit-ting and individual contest. The ball was being constantly over-run and passes were going a3tray. There was no score at halftime, and it was not until a few minutes before the final whistle that Grammar managed to register its only goal. Mount Eden, ■with a spirited and determined effort, equalised almost on time. The Grammar forwards were seen in practically no combined movements, while the backs tended to wander out of position. Mount Eden revealed a little better understanding, its" score following a good concerted rush by Brown. Millin and Horspool.

Messrs. G. Peace and H. E. Rankin were umpires. LOWER GRADE RESULTS Second Grade.—Training College, 3, University, 1; Somerville, 4, Albertians, 1; St. Luke's, 3. Air Base. 0. Third Grade.—St. Luke's, 4, Somerville. 3; T.M.C.A., 3, Grammar Old Boys, 1; Wesley, 9, Papatoetoe, 0; University, 3, Mount Eden 3. Fifth Grade.—Somerville, 5. Mount Eden, 3; St. Luke's, 2, Auckland Grammar B. 1. LADIES' ASSOCIATION Senior Grade.—Clevedon, 0, Technical, 0; Wesley, 2, Mount Eden, 2; Kiwi, A, S. Ngaro, 0. Intermediate Grade.—Papakura, 2. Mount Eden, 0; St. David's, 17, beat Wesley, 0. Junior Grade.—Ngaro, 9, St. David's, 1; Technical, 6, Kiwi. 2. Collegiate Games.—Diocesan Old Girls, 3, St. Cnthbert's, 2; Epsom Old Girls, 6. Diocesan. 2; Epsom Grammar. 10, University B, 0: University A. 3, Training College. 3. Junior grade: Training College, 2, Epsom Grammar A, 0; Diocesan, 2, Epsom Grammar B, 0. MATCHES IN THE PROVINCE Pukekohe,—The Franklin Ladies' Hockey Association matches resulted:—Onewhero, 2, Te Kohanga, 1; Buckland, 2, Tuakau, 1; Pukekawa. 2, Bombay, 1. Hamilton.—Killip Memorial competition: Old Boys (Hammond 1, West 1) beat Colts by 2 goals to 0: Kaipaki (Burrows 3) drew with Old Technicals (McKenzie 2, C'lough 1). Te Awamutu.—The first representative match of the season locally was played at Albert Park, Cambridge representatives being the visitors. Waipa was without the services of L. Spiers, G. Wood, C. J. Spiers and R. Spiers, who were all playing in the Waikato representative game at Hamilton. However, the local contest proved exciting. after a poor start, and the final whistle sounded without scoring—a fitting end to a well-contested match. Messrs. C. A. Finch (Cambridge) and T. D. Finch (Te Awamutu) were the umpires.

Paeroa.—Ladies' hockey: Paeroa defeated Piako by 2 goals to 1.

RESULTS FROM THE SOUTH Wellington.—Huia. 2. Karori B, 1; Hutt 4, Technical. 0; Karori A. 9. Wesley. 2.