HOCKEY SEASON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23708, 15 July 1940, Page 4

HOCKEY SEASON

DAVIS CUP CONTESTS END OF THE FIRST ROUND GRAMMAR STILL IN LEAD, With the first round of the Davis Cup hockey competition completed on. Saturday, the Grammar Old Boys team retains a lead of one point ahead of United. The games were played in fine weather, and, although recent rain had made the surface of the grounds greasy, this did not impair the speed of play, and three matches resulted in high scoring, a particularly high total being recorded by Grammar against Mount Eden, which lost by a margin of eight goals. The main game at Hobson Park was evenly contested territorially, but St. Luke's, showing better finish, defeated Somerville, 3 —l. Albertians made a great fight for the honours against United, but the experience of the latter team finally prevailed. At Fowlds Park, University A had the better of University Whippets, and won by a comfortable margin. Following were the results:—St. Luke's, 3; Somerville, 1. United. Albertians, 1. Grammar Old Boys, 10; Mount Eden, 2. University A, o; University Whippets, 1. FORWARDS LACK FINISH The game between St. Luke's and Somerville produced even play territorially, although the former won by a two-goal margin. St. Luke's had the better of play in the early stages, but Somerville soon settled down and presented solid opposition. However, its forwards were unable to finish their attacking movements, and many promising opportunities were lost through hesitation in the circle. In the closing stages Somerville made a determined effort to score, and the St. Luke's goalkeeper, E. Appleby, enlivened play by spectacular saving. At half-time the scoro was:— St. Luke's, "2; Somerville, 0. Moat outstanding of the St. Luke's forwards were Cameron, inside-right, and Carroll, centre-forward. The latter scored a fine goal when he ran through to the circle on his own. drew the goalkeeper out of position, and sent in a shot from an acute angle. In the halves, Brodic played hard and lent, valuable support. The defence was sound, and Appleby gave a fine performance in goal. The Somerville forward line was not well enough co-ordinated to drivo home its attacks, and Wyatt's stickwork was too slow, although he scored one fine goal. The hnlfline did not give sufficient support on defence, and Smith and Brown, fullbacks, were left with 100 much to do. Both played well, however, and Smith succeeded at one stage in clearing a penalty bully awarded against him for hooking a stick. The goalkeeper, Marshall, was not up to form in Hie early part of the game, but later he gave a very sound performance. For St. Luke's, Cameron (2) and Carroll scored, while Wyatt scored for Somerville. Messrs. E Michel and A. .Jackson were the umpires " UNITED'S EXPERIENCE TELLS High hopes of Albertians' supporters were raised in the early match at Hobson Park, when the forwards pounded at the United goal right from the bully-off for McKenzie to score within the first five minutes of play from a corner hit. However, in spite of continued pressure, this was the only goal secured by Albertians, and the experience of United proved the deciding factor. At halflime the score was:—United, 3; Albertians, 1. Although there was a fairly wide margin in the final score, play was never one-sided, and was even territorially. The Albertians' forwards lacked the thrust to finish off their movements, and many promising attacks failed on account of Ihis weakness. The United tram did not display its usual combination, and success was due mainly to the individual efforts of the forwards. Monteith showed a weakness in passing, and most of his attempts to commence combined at-

tacks failed. Cooper played a forceful game at centre-forward, while Fenton was also prominent at inside-right. The centre-half, Dowling. gave good support. Jone.s was prominent on defence, although he made several bad slips which might easily have resulted in goals but for the play of Butler, who repeatedly cleared with long kicks. Two of the most outstanding players on the field were the Albertians' fullbacks. Sadgrove impressed as a cool and safe player, and time and again he cleverly turned attacks aside. Turner was also solid, but the opposing forwards proved too strong. At centre-half Kelsey played a good game, while McKenzie displayed, speed on the wing. For United, Hedges, Monteith, Cooper. Fenton and Dowling scored. McKenzie scored for Albertians. Messrs. W. Grace and H. Skinner were the umpires. ROUCHTON'S EIGHT COALS Grammar Old Boys, leading team in the competition, had little difficulty in accounting for Mount Eden. It was superiority in ail departments and a speedier forward line, coupled with (he magnificent play of Roughton at centre-forward, which made Grammar's victory so convincing. Houghton was a pillar of strength in the forward line, and his brilliant stick-work and speed on attack gave the Mount Eden defenders no chance. In the first spell, Hughes, right fullback, and Hicks, in goal, were instrumental in keeping Old Boys' tally relatively low. The score at half-time was:—Grammar Old Boys. 3; Mount Eden. (i. In the second spell, the Mount Eden forwards were unable to pierce the defence of the halves, and Hay. right fullback, who fre> quently relieved a difficult situation with short dribbling runs. K. B. Lawry, the other back, was rather slow in making his shots. K. H Lawry, centre-half, gave a sparkling exhibition. distributing the play with rare judgment and accuracy. Combining well with Houghton. H.valls, inside left, was responsible for a good deal of (lie penetrative play. A spirited display was given by Jenkins, inside right. For the lesers, Davies, on I ho left wing, was outstanding in sideline dashes, but his moves were frequently smothered. Turner, inside left, and J. Horspool, right wing, were fast, on attack. Hughes, right fullback, and Hicks, (lie custodian, had a hard day's work against the Grammar vanguard. Scorers for Gramiliar Old Boys were Houghton (S) and Ryalis (2). while J. Horspool and Turner netted for Mount Eden. Messrs. A. Johnson and W. Flack were (he umpires UNIVERSITY TEAMS MEET Even play marked the match bet\Vccn University A and University Whippets until in the last quarter, when the A's took charge and won b.v, a conifortnble margin. The A team's forward lino was slightly superior, hut it lacked the extra finish needed to pierce the defence. Henderson, the Whippets' goalkeeper, ucquittcd himself favourably, getting through a hard day's work with credit. The score at half-time was:—University A. 2; University Whippets, 1. In the second spell, the Whippets tired, and their opponents were quick to take ad vantage. The inside men in the forward line. Cooper, B. Broun and Crawley, combined well, although Broun'showed a tendency to over-run the .ball. Wallace, right wing, was fast in possession, but once again he was too slow : n sending the hall to his inside men. N. Broun was (lie best of (he halves hitting hard and placing the ball well. Prominciii on defence were Uelshaw, in goal, and Itevell. ' The Whippets' forwards were not far behind their opponents in initiative, while Jones, Neale and Fulton made several good attacking moves. The half-line depended for its strength, to a great extent, on Herriot, who did all that whs expected of hiin. Mis partners were rather weak. Goals were scored fur the winning team hy B. Broun (.'!> and Cooper (2), and Neale was the Whippets' only' scorer. Messrs. A Jdlinson and W. Flack were the umpires OTHER GRADE RESULTS ' ' Second Grade. —Albertians, 2, St. George, 1; Hapatoetoe, <i. Wesley. 2; Somerville. 5, Waitcmata. -1; Mount Eden. 2. St. k Luke's, I ; Owai Rovers won from Hobsonville Air Base by defaultThird Grade. —Wheiniapai Air Base, <>, Somerville, 1; St. Luke's, 3, Grammar Old Boys, 3; Hapatoetoe, 4. University. I; Mount Eden, t, United, 3. Fourth Grade. —Auckland Grammar A, 3, Waitemata, 2; Auckland Grammar C. 1, Somerville B, 0; Wesley, 3, Mount Eden, 2;

Auckland Grammar B, 3. Mount Albert Grummar. 2; Technical, 5, Auckland Grammar 'Fifth Grade. —Mount Albert Grammar A, 5. Papaloetoe. O; Mount Eden, .*>, Auckland Grammar A, 3; Howick, 0, Technical. 0; Mount Albert Grammar B, 0, Auckland Grammar B, 0. Sixth Grade.—Auckland Grammar A. 4 Mount Albert Grammar B, 0; Mount Albert Grammar A. 5, Auckland Grammar B, 1; Owai Rovers, 3, Franklin, 2. Seventh Grade.—Auckland Grammar, 4, Somerville, "J; Mount Albert Grammar. 7, Owai Rovers, 0; Auckland Grammar B. 10, Mount Eden, 1. LADIES* COMPETITIONS Senior Grade.—University Blues, 1, Training College. 0; Mount Eden. .">, Technical Past Students, 0; Wesley, i), Clevedon. 0; Ivlwi. University Whites, O. _ . Intermediate Grade.—Technical B, 5, University, 2. A Junior Grade.—Y.W.C.A.. 3. Owai Rovers, 2; Technical, 1. Y.W.C.A., 2. MATCHES IN THE PROVINCE [FKOM HKHALD CORIIKSrONUKN rs] Hamilton. —In the Waikato Hockey Association's senior competition, Aotea, 5, beat Kaipaki, 1. Whangarei.—Men's A grade: Kara, G, Karamea, United A, 3, Springfield, 1. Men's B grade: United B, 5, Manaia, 0; Otaika, 2, Bargain Stores, 0; United C', 7, One Tree Point, 1. Ladies' A grade: High School. Kara, 1; Horahora, 8, Whatitiri, I Ladies' B grade: Bargain Stores. High School, 3; Ilikurangi, Horahora B. 0; Manaia. Y.W.C.A., 1. Juniors: High School A. 3, Otaika. 3; School D. 'J, Martgapai, 'J. Franklin.—Waiau Pa has won the couipetilion and holds the Guest Shield until next season. Kohekohe Rovers were the run-ners-lip. The opening game in a handicap competition for the Smith Cup resulted: — Kohekohe Rangers (receive one goal), -I; Glenhrook (receive one), 3. O.Y. Rovers beat the Franklin Primary School representatives by 3 goals (o 2.