HOCKEY SHIELD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23092, 18 July 1938, Page 15

HOCKEY SHIELD

AN EASY "VICTORY AUCKLAND TEAM'S SUCCESS POVERTt BAY OUTCLASSED Under ideal conditions, Auckland easily Withstood a challenge to its hockey supremacy on Saturday at the Remucra grounds, when Poverty Bay was outclassed in every department. The New Zealand Challenge Shield, therefore, which has been successfully defended over seven seasons by Auckland, will remain with the holders. The continuation of the Devonport Shield competition generally provided interesting 'play, although all teams were weakened by tiro inclusion of junior players. A feature of tho games was the decisive defeat of Grammar Old Boys bv University in the curtainraiser to the representative game. In the other contests, decided on No. 2 mound, Mount Eden showed out well iu a game with United, while St. Luke's continued in winning vein by beating Somervillo. Following were tho results:

REPRESENTATIVE GAME Auckland, 9; Poverty Bay, 1. DEVONPORT SHIELD University, 4; Grammar, 1. St. Luke's, 3; Somerville, 2. United, 1; Mount Eden, 1. RELENTLESS ATTACK AUCKLAND'S SUPERIORITY Maintaining a relentless attack in the first half of the challenge game against Poverty Bay. Auckland ran ujs by half-time the impregnable total of seven goals to nil. The result was never in doubt, the Auckland halves maintaining a good control over- the game throughout, although in tho second spell the visiting forwards gave a better display and often had the opposing defence penned up. Even with this improvement, however, the latter half of the gamo also went in Auckland's favour. Open and fast, tho match was always interesting and this countered in part tho onesided nature of tho play. A feature of tho game was tho success of tho home team in converting penalty corners, Watson scoring four goals for' Auckland ty this means, all with beautiful shots that gave the defence no chance. There was hardlv any weakness in the Auckland team either in combined or individual play and there is no doubt that Poverty Bay was string enough to give it a gcod test. Boughton led tho forward line with rare dash, distributing the ball well to the wings and showing his characteristic forcefulness in the circle. The two goals he scored from open play were well deserved and ho also goalcl from a penalty bully. Perhaps the best forward in support was Wellbourne. who was outstanding ca the left wing. In the finest display he has given for some time, this player made little of the difficulties ot his position, flicking or hitting hi» centres with equal effect, supporting well up near the opposing goal, and showing out >n several attractive runs, one of which resulted in the sixth goal for bis side.

Wyatt was always prominent on attack at inside left, particularly in the second half, but received little reward for his efforts, tie was; a little inclined to try and penetrate alone, and lacked the final speed in shooting that was' Shown by Roughton. Rowe's display in the other inside forward position was excellently constructive and notablo for fine stickwork. Armstrong, on the wing, wasted nothing and made perfect centreshots, the ball' being hit cleanly and always along the ground. "Watson and Robertson were the best of the halves, both showing excellent sticMo-k and being always reliable in positional play. The right-half, Stewart, although playing well, made more mistakes and did not show the samo skill in directing his passes. Sound defence was provided by the fullbacks, Jones andjHogben, the latter, however, making ,sev?ial mistakes that might have proved costly when pressed during the second spell. Jones showed cleaner hitting, but both were notable for the way in which their good clearing shots opened new attacks and relieved the defence. Some fine saves were made by Wattam, in goal, who was frequently called upon during the closing

stages. „ ~ It took the Poverty Bay team some time to recover from the shock attacks of the Auckland forwards. While the visitors were continuously on defence there could be little opportunity for them to show their true worth. When the side began to hit the ba! about with more freedom, however, it proved '7(bat, it was no mean/ team on attack. Particularly Impressive in the visiting attack was the work of the centre-forward. Watchman. and the inside forwards, Slade and Harrison. Watchman showed a gift for making openings fCr the' other two players, using clever stickwork to draw the defender and leave tho way open for his inside to make „ most of the ground. In this both Slade and Harrison showed out particularly well, having plenty of speed and a good control of the ball. The ' leit wing. McLean, put in some good centres, bat was inclined to delay too lone: and did not possess the skilful Stickwork of th<; Auckland left wine. Jones, on tho right wing, was also a little slow in getting rid of the ball. « While not showing the same positional play as that which distinguished tho Auckland middle line, the visiting halves recovered well aif the game progressed, Lowe, in the centre, and Nicol, on the right,_ displaying the cleaner work and clearing nicely to the wings. Crosby was hampered by a difficulty in keeping his feet and did not give his best, but did some good spoiling work on the left. McTavisb and Gavin, who replaced tho former at- half-time owing to an played soundly and constructively in tho right fullback position, although indulging in rather too much speculation. Tupara, the left fullback, vaa difficult to pass, but wasted most of his clearing shots by indiscriminate hitting. It was noticeable tbat the backs played far too square on, thus weakening the defence against the speedy opposing forwards. Although not too certain at the beginning, CoVer made some brilliant saves in goal, bnt ♦he great majority' of the shots made defence impossible. , , _ . Goils were scored for Auckland by Watson (4). Roughton (8), Wyatt and Wellbourne, while Watchman goaled for Poverty Bay. Messrs. H. "Watts and H. McQuarric were umpires.

UNIVERSITY WINS FORWARDS MISSED Grammar Old Boys again showed how much it depends upon its representative forwards. Houghton and Armstrong, by being •cundly beaten by University for the second time in recent weeks. University was first to press and halfway through the first spell opened its score. It added another goal from a penalty bully shortly afterwards. After half-time University continued its attacks and increased its lead to three nil. but then Grammar showed up for a period •'ind opened its score. University continued to press in the final stages, when play was fa«t, with Grammar striving for the advantage, but the only other goal of the match wont to University. T he forwards of the winning team showed a gieat improvement and were quicker to take advantage of opportunities for scoring. •\. Broun and Cooper were tho best of the iii?ide forwards and Cowperthwaite, on tho right wing, mado some excellent centres. Harriott stood out in the half-line for nkilful play but was inclined to wander and hamper N. Broun, who showed determination nt centrelialf. With stubborn defence and vigorous clearing tact : cs Moir was the better of the fullbacks, while Henderson had lo come out on several occasions' to mako saves. . Being an entirely new combination the Grammar forwards did not combine efTectively, although Floyd played well in the centre and Hill proved a good left. There was not much strength in the naif line, with the exception of Lawrv, and as a result too rnitrh fell unon the defence. Both Hay and Robinson nlaycd soundly in. I' lo fullback positions, while Salo saved ficeiv °n occasions, but failed to get the nan away. . A. Broun (2). Fulton and Cooper scored for University and Floyd for Grammar uiu Bovs.

The nmpires were Messrs. A. Jackson and G. Wells. LEAD MAINTAINED DEFEAT OF SOMERVILLE St. Luke's maintained iff lead in Mm Revonport Shield ladder by defeating boniervilla by one oroal. Dominanro was shown in the first spell by St. Luke's, whirh ran up a lead of three to one. this beincr reduced by Somerville in a more even second *PelI. A number of junior players was tukint? Part and the trame was not of a very hicli standard, speculation spoiling many movements and makin? play rasrTed at times. , "Mis were scored for St. Luke's by Vipond ,-) and Corin. while Elliott and Long netted r °r Somerville. 1 he umpires were Messrs. E. Michel and A. Biddlc. MOUNT EDEN IMPROVES .Mount Eden showed further improvement drawing with United in a close gamo on *i?', r. Krm,m| . *i" which the advantage was slightly iu favour of tiio Mount Eden side. '< great number of chances was missed by ■ lount Eden, and the score of ono—nil in its javour at | la | f . tinio s ] lou]cl bave been greater. •J no second half was rnoro even but United *as lucky that it obtained its opportunity

for scoring, a free-hit by a Monnt Eden player being easily trapped and a goal coming from tho resulting shot. Tho absenco of Howe affected the Mount Eden attack but Herriott and Clarke were able to compensate to come extent for tho loss. Sound defence by Bowdon and Bushell, however, held them up. and Butler was responsible for s.omo good saves. At the other ond Monteith shone in tho forward lino which did not reach great heights and was repulsed on most occasions by A. Horspool and Moore, who played soundly in tho fullback positions for Mount Eden. „ , . Torbett scored for United and Herriott for Mount Eden. The umpires wero Messrs. W. Grace and H. E. Rankin. OTHER GRADE RESULTS Second Grade.—St. Luke's, 3. Papatoetoe, 3; Somerville, 2, Y.M.C.A., 0; Training College. t>, Grammar Old Boys, 4; Albertians, 8, University, 2; Air Base, 4, Mount Eden, 2; Wesley. 3, St. Goorge, 2; Albertians. 3, University, 2. „ Third Grado.—Auckland Grammar, 8, Somerville, 0; St. Luke's, 3, Mount Albert, 'I- Papatoetoe, -i, University, 1; Training College. 1, Grammar Old Boys, 2. Fourth Grade. —Somerville B, 1, Y.M.C-A.. 0: St. Luke's. 3 Papatoetoe. 0. Fifth Grade.—Auckland Grammar A. 6. St. Luke's. 0; Mount Edon, 4, Auckland Grammar B, 0; Papatoetoo won from Auckland Grammar C by default. Sixth Grade.—St, Luke's won from Glen Eden by default; Auckland Grammar A, 8, Somerville 3; Mount Albert Grammar B. 3. Mount Eden A. 3; Mount. Albert Grammar A. 13. Y.M.C-A. B. 1; Howick, 12, Y.M.C.A. A, 0; Auckland Grammar B won from Mount Eden B by default.