HOCKEY SEASON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23088, 13 July 1938, Page 21

HOCKEY SEASON

EVEN PLAY GENERAL MOUNT EDEN'S IMPROVEMENT WING FORWARDS NEGLECTED Close as was the game between St. Luke's and United there was a lack of actual excitement about the play, perhaps because the forwards of both sides rarely got into definite scoring positions and never, in spite of the speed of the ground, could get really clear of the fullbacks. This was caused by too little use of the wings. The United forwards failed to take advantage of breakaways that came from occasional lapses of the St. Luke's backs. With only one defender beside , the goalkeeper to beat, the forwards ! were time after time sent back. Al- j though Wellbourne, on the left wing, i was given a fair amount of work, Fen- | ton, on the right, was left idle most of the game in spite of the fact that he has proved himself the most force-i ful player in the team. The same fault was apparent in the early game, in which Armstrong, the Grammar right wing, was given little I chance until the second half, when the ba 11 was swung about more and Gram- j mar almost immediately became dan- I gerous. This side as a whole, however, j failed to work together, and the individual play not always being of the i strongest, the Mount Eden players, I with their more open tactics, were | able to dominate the play.

It is remarkable how the Mount Eden side Has progressed since its first game this year, when it was defeated by seven goals to one by St. Luke's. In spite of the fact that victories have been rare, the team has been playing most impressively and has twice now greatly troubled the Grammar eleven. Tho change which put Rowe in the centre-forward position and made Hughes centre-half was a happy one, for the latter has shown himself well suited to the position, while Rowe lent more dash to the front line.

GOOD RECORDS OUTSTANDING GOALKEEPERS UNITED'S FINE DEFENCE A study of the goal records of the teams at the present stage reflects favourably on the United defence for, taking all the games played this year into consideration, only 14 goals have been scored against this team. University-" has the next lowest record with 19 goals against, and St. Luke's follows with 23. It is worthy of note that these are the three teams with goalkeepers of greater experience. Butler in particular has played very soundly this season and the general low scoring against him is a tribute to his solidness. Great credit must also go to the fullbacks, Jones and Bowden, who are also very sure in their work.

\\ attain has had a few easy games this season, but as a resplt' of the soundness of the backs in front of him most of the goals have come from close plav in the circle and have thus been difficult to save. Behind a slightly weaker team than either of the goalkeepers mentioned, Henderson has done remarkably well in keeping the scores so low. His ability with both feet and quickness in hitting clear after stopping stand him in good stead. On the other side St. Luke's has a clear lead in the number of goals scored in its favour. Again including Devonport Shield matches in the total, this t-eam has scored 36 goals in ten matches, Grammar Old Boys being nearest on the list with 32. REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURE CHALLENGE BY POVERTY BAY Auckland will be defending the New Zealand Challenge Shield for the 19th time when it meets Poverty Bay on Saturday. This trophy has been held by the province continuously since 1931, when it was won from Canterbury. Two of the three challenges last year, however, saw Auckland fighting desperately for its possession, a match against Wellington resulting one-all, and a challenge by Poverty Bay being narrowly staved off by five goals to four. Apart from the return of C. Stewart to the right-half position, which he was" unable to fill at ,the time, there have been no changes in the Auckland team that showed up so well against the country representatives.