HOCKEY SEASON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22726, 12 May 1937, Page 19

HOCKEY SEASON

HIGH STANDARD SHOWN TEAM FOR AUSTRALIA NINE AUCKLAND NOMINATIONS Auckland hockey enthusiasts witnessed a fine display last Saturday, when Grammar defeated St. Luke's, last season's champions, in a fast and exciting contest. The presence of the Auckland selectors, with a view to making nominations for the New Zealand team to tour Australia in July, was an added incentive to the players, and the game seldom fell below interprovineial standard. With such first-class form shown it would be difficult to single out any particular player. The outstanding feature, however, was the splendid combination among the Grammar forwards. .Houghton, Twigdon, Armstrong, Pearce and Jerram repeatedly swept down to St. Luke's goal with perfectly-timed passing rushes. The Roughton-Twigden combination was outstanding. These players seem to be emulating the Watts brothers' fine combination, and they may prove to be Auckland's inside men for several years. All the Grammar backs played soundly. In the early stages the St. Luke's forwards were equally as good as their opponents, and had the opposing backs defending solidly. Corin and Carroll were prominent, while Fonton sent across some well-judged centres. The St. Luke's backs worked hard and gave sound displays. TWO DULL MATCHES Y.M.C.A. BELOW STANDARD . The games in which Papatoetoe defeated Y.M.C.A. by a large margin, and Somerville prevailed over Mount Eden, were dull and uninteresting. Y.M.C.A. were no match for the strong Papatoetoe eleven, which is rapidly developing into a powerful combination. Although this was Y.M.C.A.'s first match of the season, it appeared to be below senior standard. With several sound players, however, it may be expected to improvo with experience. Mount Eden played aggressively against Somerville, but lacked finish. Somerville has won both its matches this season, but has not yet developed the team-work for which it has been noted in past years.

AUCKLAND PROSPECTS

NEW ZEALAND TEAM

There are several surprises in the Auckland nominations for the New Zealand team to tour Australia in July. Unfortunately, the final selection may not be truly representative of New Zealand's best talent, as the players will be required to pay their own boat fares. This will undoubtedly prevent many first-class players from making the trip.

The most likely Auckland players to secure final selection are J. S. Robertson and F. S. Clark, St. Luke's, R. H. Roughton, Grammar, and L. H. Watson, University. Robertson was chosen to train for the final test against the Indian team at Auckland last year. Clark is the most solid fullback in Auckland this season. Jones was chosen for the last tour of Australia, but was unable to travel because of an accident. Monteith played well against Y.M.C.A. last Saturday, but Roughton may have stronger claims. Watson showed sound form for Auckland last year, while Cooper is a former Wellington representative. Torbett and Alexander are unexpected nominations.