REP. HOCKEY AT REMUERA

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 143, 7 September 1927, Page 4

REP. HOCKEY AT REMUERA

N. ZEALAND V AUCKLAND EXCITING DRAWN GAME In perhaps the most exciting and eventful hockey match decided at Remuera this season, and Auckland representative side drew—two goals all—with the New Zealand team which has just returned from a successful tour of Australia. Considering the slippery state of the ground the degree of science displayed by both sides was of an agreeably high j standard, and the Auckland men put up a very creditable performance against a team which went through Australia unbeaten and with only two draws in a lengthy list of victories. It is probable tl\at given a hard dry ground, the tourists would have registered a win over the local side, and the fact that the Dominion reps, had just come off their boat was an additional handicap. Nevertheless, Auckland played a splendid game and fully extended the tourists, particularly in the closing stages of the clash. Auckland’s great effort obviously ; surprised its most sanguine supporters, and although the team was more or less of a scratch eleven, some pleas- j ing combined team work was evidenced from time to time throughout the match. Philpotts, left wing, and Eric Watts, centre forward, were in excellent form and in spite of the mud handicap were seen in many brilliant solo runs and combined movements. Few will dispute that Philpotts was the star for-

ward on the field, for the day at any rate. Miller, inside left, worked hard but was too slow for his speedy associates. He made good use of opportunities and his goal was a commendable job. Jack Carter and L. Carter were disappointing. The former’s stickwork in the circle was inexcusably wild and ill-directed shooting resulted in mulled chances. L. Carter was not nearly fast enough for a wing man, and his centreing was often badly timed. Auckland’s main power lay undoubtedly in its halves. Dr. Leonard, Radclift'e and Steele, are about as sound a trio as could have been selected, and all were great battlers. A little slow in warming up to their work, they did not give the vanguard all the support they should have in the earlier stages, but the defect was soon remedied. Clarrie Davis, probably the finest fullback in the Dominion, was undoubtedly the backbone of the defence until his injury. Brown, who succeeded him in the second session, was a capable substitute. Frater was a good steady left fullback, but was a trifle slowish in getting on to the ball. Cooper saved his side on several occasions, as custodian, and again demonstrated his worth in a rep. team.

There was little to choose between the tourists’ forwards. If anything Lusty, Seecombe and Clive Watts gave the best impression. C. Spiers seemed to get few chances of showing his ability, while Bell was troubled by the mud to a greater extent than the others appeared to be. The halves. Hore. Mori'is and Mahoney, all did good work, especially the first two. Mahoney was playing out of his usual position and had not quite got used to the change. Soper was the outstanding fullback and was more in evidence than his partner, L. Spiers, who was not up to his best form. Both, however, seemed to tire rapidly in the face of Auckland's attack during the last fifteen minutes.

Fletcher, in goal, was the salvation of the tourists with his powerful kicking and splendid stopping. As a last defence he was in fine fettle, and has lost nothing of his old ability. GENERAL RUN OF PLAY Teams: New Zealand.—Fletcher, Soper, *L. Spiers, Mahoney, Morris, Hore, Lusty (captain), Seecombe, Bell, C. Watts, C. Spiers. Auckland. —Cooper, Davis, Frater, Dr. Leonard (captain), Radcliffe, Steele, jl,. Carter, J. Carter, Watts, Miller, Philpotts. Referees: Messrs. L. Howard Norton and H. B. Speight. Auckland secured from the bully-off and Eric Watts carried play to New Zealand’s 25, and passed to L. Carter who transferred to his brother, but the latter’s shot flew over the net. From the bully operations went to opposite territory, where New Zealand attacked but Davis removed the danger to the other end, where after a bout of bustling tactics in the visitors’ circle a corner was yielded, but Philpotts spoiled the shot by giving sticks. A sortie led by C. Spiers was promptly smothered by Dr. Leonard, who passed to Miller, but the Auckland inside left was stopped by Soper. A right wing offensive initiated by Lusty looked promising but Frater was equal to the emergency. Play hung about midfield for a couple of minutes until Bell got away with Seecombe in support, but Clarrie Davis intercepted a pass intended for Clive Watts, and drove play to the opposite country. A spell of give-and-take play ensued with honours even until Morris set his forwards going, and Bell worked his way to Auckland’s backs, where he passed to Lusty, who centred and essayed a drive at goal, but Cooper turned the effort over the line. Nothing came of the corner. Further spirited movements by the Blacks’ van were nullified by Radcliffe and Dr. Leonard. The local side then took a turn at attack, when Steele sent across to Eric Watts, who dribbled in a spectacular manner through the opposing halves, and evading L. Spiers transferred to Philpotts, who shot from a difficult angle and narrowly missed his objective. Seecombe was prominent in a likely piece of play which reached Auckland’s circle, but Dr. Leonard was on the scene and cleared with a. fine backstroke. However, the Fern Leaves maintained the pressure and Davis received an injury to his leg, which caused a few minutes’ stoppage. After the resumption a dashing concerted rush by the tourists’ front line put Auckland on the defensive. Bell drew Cooper, who charged from the goal to block the centre forward’s shot, but Bell smartly flicked to Lusty, who netted brilliantly to the accompaniment of a storm of applause.—New Zealand 1, Auckland 0. Roused by the reverse the home side made strenuous efforts to wipe off the deficit, but good work by Soper and Spiers kept the net safe. Play then swung to the other end, where Auckland suffered a corner, but Bell’s attempt lacked direction. Another corner followed after a

period of up and down hotkey, but Bell again failed with his shot. An onslaught originated in the tourists’ half line enabled Lusty to get away down the wing. and on reaching the circle he centred crisply where Clive Watts rushed in and beat Cooper with a close shot.—New Zealand 2, Auckland 0. Half-time was called a minute afterwards. After the adjournment Brown replaced Davis, who was found to have cracked a bone in his leg. New- Zealand launched a determined assault, but Brown removed the danger and sent play to the other half. The forwards worked the ball to New Zealand’s circle, where Eric Watts let drive twice in quick succession, but Fletcher kicked clear. Jack Carter trapped the leather on the edge of the circle, but his shot lacked direction. A spectacular solo run by Philpotts carried business to the enemy circle, where the left wing centred, but Erie Watts was too slow in picking up and tapped the ball on to Fletcher's pads. A corner followed, but uncertuintv spoiled Auckland’s chance. Maintaining the pressure the home boys were seen in a concerted attack from which Philpotts accepted a pass on the circle edge and netted with a lightning drive, with great excitement and cheers from the pavilion.—New Zealand 2, Auckland 1. The tourists retaliated with great dash, and Seecombe netted, but the goal was disallowed owing to a breach. From the free hit Frater set Auckland's forwards on the offensive, and Eric Watts eluded all opposition, and drew Fletcher. Miller, inside left, saw his chance and equalised £or Auckland. Several dangerous onslaughts by New Zealand looked perilous for Auckland, but the defence was equal to the task. With 15 minutes to play. Auckland began to wear down the Blacks’ defence. Philpotts was constantly associated with Watts in attractive rushes, but over-eagerness spoiled scoring chances. A brilliant move by C. Spiers enabled Lusty to find a clear opening. His powerful drive was stopped splendidljr by Cooper. Radcliffe -sent Watts away, and the centre forward reached the circle where he passed to Jack Carter, but the latter shot wildly and repeated the performance soon afterwards. xYuckland continued to get the better of matters, and when the final whistle sounded the home side was attacking vigorously. Final score:— New Zealand 2 Auckland 2