REPRESENTATIVE MEN’S HOCKEY

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 93, 11 July 1927, Page 11

REPRESENTATIVE MEN’S HOCKEY

TOWN DEFEATS COUNTRY IN FAST GAME IN THE MUD

A large number of hockey enthusiasts turned out at Remuera on Saturday afternoon to view' the annual hockey match Town v. Country, although weather conditions were about as unfavourable as they could be for the stick game. However, the spectators were not disappointed in their expecI tation of a fast, hard game. After l an exciting struggle, in inches of mud, i Town Avon by 4-3. HIGH STANDARD OF PLAY In spite of the state of No. 1 ground on Saturday, the annual fixture Town v. Country produced a remarkably high standard of hockey, and proved beyond doubt that the game in the country districts is progressing rapidly. The country representatives put up a highly creditable performance against a side which is about as strong in the back department as Auckland City could field. Had the match been played off on a dry ground the issue might have gone differently (either way), although on the general run of pla> the townsmen had more opportunities of scoring. Auckland was distinctly superior in the half-line, which was as strong a trio as could be found in any metropolitan area in the Dominion. Steele and Radcliffe we re up to form, as was Dr. Leonard. Davis and Roberts, at fullback, are a splendid pair, and both were of the greatest value to their side. Lucas made his bow in representative hockey, and pulled off some dazzling saves, -which delighted the crowd of spectators. The porridge in the goal-mouth at both ends of the field made things difficult for the netwatchers of both sides. JV Thompson, of Piako, used his head in conjunction with a useful stick, and proved worthy of his inclusion as custodian for the country. Of Town forwards, Eric Watts at centre forward gave a clever exhibition of ball control, and outshone the other units of the van, but the mud disturbed his timing of shots and direction-finding when certain goals seemed imminent. Greenbank, right-winger, also a new man in representative hockey, proved

a “find.” A fast forward, with plenty of weight, he is a great bustler, and a good shot from a difficult angle. However, his one big fault on Saturday was his habit of closing in toward the circle when making a solo run with the ball. This frequently led to bunching with his inside man, Carter, and spoiled some likely movements. In the later stages of the game Greenbark remedied the defect to some extent, and took the leather to the limit of the field, then centred —with excellent results. By keeping to the side-line, working the ball to the base-line, then centring, the wing man can keep all his forwards / on side, as well as doubling the scoring chances of the inner three. Auckland’s forwards lacked the combination of the Country van, but achieved their success by individual effort. Country’s forwards were a fine set of attackers, and put up a great showing when it is considered the opposition they were up against. C. Spiers, on left wing, amply merits his inclusion in the New Zealand touring team, if Saturday’s display is any criterion. He and Finch, on the right wing, clearly demonstrated what is meant by a wing man’s job. Instead of swerving in to have a shot at Lucas, they kept their place near the line, and, centring with plenty of sting, trusted the inner men to do the rest. The five showed a willingness to threw the ball about in a manner not apparent in the Town line. Goertz, and Grimmer, Rodney’s crack goal-getters, and Hewlett, of Whangarei (inside right), also a dangerous man in the circle, were all in form, but owing to the hopeless state of the ground they found it difficult to get past Town’s halves. Still, in spite of the handicaps, some pleasing passing was seen. Individually, Johns, Turnbull, and Crickett, halves for Country, were sound stickmen, but this department was the visitors’ weak spot. They lacked cohesion, and roving was indulged in more than was advisable. Both fullbacks, L. Spiers, of Waipa. and Johnson, of Whangarei gave a convincing impression. Both are in the front rank of provincial backs, and both acquitted themselves with admirable coolness in the face of heavy odds. Spiers will be a tower of strength to the tourists: he is as brainy in placing his drives as he is sound on the defensive. The Country men as a body showed plenty of dash, and lacked only the finishing touches, and reasonably dry grounds, which would bring them to the standard of the best city players. Other Games SECOND GRADE Mount Eden, 5 (Cole 3, Clark 1. Cochrane 1), beat Varsity Colts, 3 (Hubble 1, Adams 7, Bestic 1). Otahuhu. 6 (Jenkins 2. Miggins 2, Gardiner 2). beat Areta, 1 (Ninky). THIRD GRADE Grammar, 8 (Burnett 7. Torbet 1), beat Varsity, 0. FOURTH GRADE Mount Albert Grammar, 13 (Smith 6, Fox 2, Carter 2, Cooper 3), beat Somerville B, 0. Mount Eden, 3 (Chaplin 2, Anthony 1), beat Wesley, 0.