Hockey Tourney for Challenge Shield

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 113, 3 August 1927, Page 7

Hockey Tourney for Challenge Shield

SEMI-FINAL DECIDED AUCKLAND DEFEATS COUNTRY A game of hockey full of dash and incident and sparkling with many a flash of brilliance was seen at Remuera yesterday afternoon, when the second round of matches in the New Zealand Challenge Shield tournament was decided, when Auckland defeated the country representatives by 3 goals to 2. , The playing field was fairly dry, but showed signs of wear and bumpiness at half-time. The 50 odd spectators were given a good exhibition of fast, open hockey of a higher standard than that which obtained on Monday, By defeating Country, Auckland will play Waikato to decide the final for the shield, as Country is now out of the running, having been beaten by each of the two other teams in the competition. Yesterday’s match was characterised first by Auckland’s superiority in the forward line; secondly, by the splendiu defence put up by Country’s backs, and the magnificent display of goalkeeping shown by Postlewaite, o/ Whangarei, who was undoubtedly the hero of his side. Radcliffe was the outstanding half on the field, and he was at the pinnacle of his form. Dr. Leonard, right-half, was also responsible for excellent stickwork. Davis was the star fullback and gave his usual consistent display of sound direction hitting and uncanny speculation. Lucas, in goal, was fairly good, but had less work to do than might • have been expected. Both Country fullbacks, Carl and Salmon, gave a convincing account of themselves in the face of heavy odds. The halves, with the exception of Turnbull, played a mediocre game and indulged in too much roving. Their wing forwards were starved on many occasions when support would have given the attackers opportunities of getting away. The forwards were patchy and Finch was far from up to form. Goertz was obviously not himself and had a tendency to hit too far in front when engaged in a dribbling rush. Grimmer was disappointing in the circle and Matthews was often tactless on left-wing. THE MATCH IN DETAIL The teams were; Auckland.—Lucas, Baildon, Davis, Dr. Leonard (captain), Radcliffe, Hagget, Greenbank, J. Carter, E. Watts, Fletcher, Philpott. Country. Postlewaite, Salmon, Carl, Johns, Turnbull (captain), Smith, T. Finch, Sloane, Grimmer, Goertz, Matthews. Referees: Messrs. L. C. Kent and PI. B. Speight. Auckland got away with the bullyoff and Greenbank dashed down the line and sent across to the centre, where several shots were saved by Postlewaite. Up and down play followed, until Auckland again invaded Country’s circle, where Philpott’s shot just missed. Country' hen assumed the offensive with T. Fine 1 in charge, and the winger centred - to Grimmer, j who was caught offside. A nice run I by Matthews was held up by Davis.

The ball reached Auckland’s circle, where Davish pushed it over the line. Grimmer spoiled the resultant corner shot by a knock-on. Play went to opposite territory, where Country yielded a corner, but “sticks” spoiled Auckland’s opportunity. From the free hit Finch got away and passed inward, but Davis saved a hard shot. Country again attacked and Matthews had an open goal, but he mis-liit. Both sides showed a willingness to throw the ball about, and the co-operation between Auckland’s forwards and halves was pretty to watch. After some minutes of give-and-take play, Auckland set sail and Radcliffe obtained possession and passed across to Philpott, who netted cleverly from left-wing. Auckland, 1: Country, 0 In reply Country launched a left-wing attack and the ball was sent across thevan to Finch, who dribbled into the circle, where a likely shot was pushed round the post by Lucas. Shortly afterward Goertz shot a goal, but the effort was disallowed owing to a breach. Half-time found the scores unchanged. Two minutes after the resumption E. Watts got away and pushed the ball into the corner of Country’s net. Auckland, 2; Country, 0. A lot of fast, open hockey followed, with honours mainly to Auckland. Country suffered three successive corners, two of .which Postlewaite saved brilliantly but the third, which Watts stopped for Radcliffe, who sent in a terrific hit, was too fast for the goalie to see. A little later Country’s van launched an attack, and after a bout of scrambling in the circle Sloane, inside-right, essayed a snappy shot which found the net. Soon afterwards a similar offensive gave Grimmer an • opportunity, from which he goaled magnificently. Auckland, 3; Country, 2. Country was attacking with determintaion when time was whistled, but no further score was registered. Auckland 3 Country 2 WAIPA ASSOCIATION SELECTED PLAYERS The following are the Waipa Hockey Association’s representatives to play King Country at Taumarunui tomorrow:— Men. —D. Stallard, .T. Linehan, A. Finch, F. Battson, S. Mackay, R. Hinton. R. Spiers, R. Sinclair, L. Coombes, A*. Bowler, G. Finch. Ladies. —Misses Johnston. L. Chirney. It. Speirs, R. Isaacs, E. Ball, E. Macky, D. Wood, K. Macky, L. Leatham, T. McCready. AUCKL4ND JUNIOR REPS. MR. ELLISON’S SELECTION Mr. Ellison has selected the following players to represent the Auckland junior team to play Training College at Remuera to-morrow afternoon: Goal, Linton; fullbacks, Burnett. Williams; halves, Storry, Hughes, Saul; forwards, Cole, Beech, Jenkins, Taylor, ■ Dunn, Lamb, Wells.