NO “BEG PARDONS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 673, 27 May 1929, Page 13

NO “BEG PARDONS”

WILLING HOCKEY STAGED AT REMUERA ST. LUKE’S FALLS TO EDEN Some willing stickwork and plenty of bulloeking characterised the hockey match between St, Luke’s and Mount Eden at Rem* uera on Saturday. Although the game was as “hard” as hockey could be with the display of feeli ing, no actual unsportsmanship was ■ in evidence. From the onlookers' point of View, at any rate, all three senior games were the most interesting staged at headquarters this season. The early fixture in which Somerville only just succeeded in defeating University by 2—l, provided a rousing, open encounter in which there was many a tense moment. Somerville will he the first to admit that a draw would have been a fairer outcome. The students can console them selves that they stood up most creditably to a much more experienced forward line. In an entertaining exposition that, to say the least, was wild and woolly and had no “beg-pardons,” St. Luke’s succumbed to Mount Eden, which from the word go planned to play its rival at its own bustling game. There was no question that St: Luke’s, for the day at all events, was completely outclassed and deserved its 3—l defeat. The match between North Shore and Epiphany was very even and fairly slow, but there was some good hockey played at times. Shore - attacked well throughout most of the game, but Epiphany’s defence was so sound that Shore only scored once. Tho following table shows the positions of the teams in the senior competition:— Goals

STUDENTS’ PLUCKY EFFORT Tho pathetic account o.f itself given by Varsity in its defeat on the previous Saturday by St, Luke’s had led the prophets to foresee another debacle when the blues met Somerville. However, by a remarkable reversal of form the students seriously embarrassed their more experienced opponents and it will be generally acknowledged that the white jerseys were lucky in trouping off with two more points to add to the season s tally. If Varsity’s forward department had been as reliable and enterprising as its halves and backs there might have been a very different tale. The Play will go on record as a triumph for Varsity’s young goalie, Crawley. Not once, but many times, he drew applause for sterling saves when a Somerville goal seemed a foregone conclusion. His finest bit of work was to rob Eric Watts, when the crack centre-forward had got two parts of a goal. If the young custodian goes on as at present he should be in line when important selections are being made. Chiplin, acting in a similarcapacity for Somerville, also executed some bright stoppings. ; The shifting of Edwards from left to right wing by the Somerville selector was a wise move, and the colt gave an immeasurably better account of himself than on the previous week. Harold Watts, transposed to left wing, was not at home and allowed liimself to be caught Offside too frequently. Clive Watts was not up to form and Seccombe was starved. Most of the work was therefore done by Eric Watts, who still has title to being Auckland’s finest forward. ’ _ The Whites’ halves were fluky and erratic, and the full-backs had to shoulder more than their share of the work. Smith is still a bit too slow and should play more to Munro when tackled. Sparling was a welcome stranger among the Varsity full-backs and he and Brown, a consistent battler, rose well to the occasion. All three halves, Ellison, Radcliffe and £>torry. performed creditably. The first-named is rather too slow for an outside half, but shone in stopping and placing. Taylor, left wing, should watch his off-side propensity. Of the other four there was little to choose. All are still making the error of hitting too far ahead. Hit and run is all right when the opposing full-backs are duds.

EDEN OUTPLAYS ST. LUKE’S “Give it a good wild one!” This was the excited advice tendered by one of Mount Eden’s players to a team mate about to take a free hit against St. Luke’s on No. 2 ground. The remark, made quite inoffensively and in the excitement of victory, characterises the general condition of the meeting of the old rivals. There is no doubt that the game was wild, but there was little or no feeling displayed. It was as "hard” as a hockey match could be without actually being a “rough house.” Also it was most entertaining. Operations were marked by humorous incidents from beginning to end. St. Luke’s succumbed partly because the side expected a fairly easy win and because Eden got the team rattled by also playing the bustling game. Heavy hitting was the order among the backs of both sides. There was no comparing the two sets of halves. Eden’s trio tackled like demons and hit with, sting. On the other hand. St. Luke’s halves were off colour. H. Williams and Vipond did strenuous, service at full-back and really had to bear the brunt of the attack. Highfield pulled some good saves, but was quite excusably bustled. Max Bay: was again the big business among the red forwards. He is a great bullocker and made some spectacular solo runs. Burnett, who bagged the lone goal, shone brightly. Tom Giles gave a good account, but still has to watch the off-side. Wotherspoon should learn “to get rid of it” more smartly and Jack Giles should be more liberal" in passing out. Mainland and Anderson were a thorn in the St. Luke’s attack? both men playing good, solid hockey. Of the forwards Chaplin was the star turn, having secured all three goals. All five were on top of form. Indeed, there was not a passenger in the eleven and for consistency the team probably gave the best exposition of the day of any senior team.

F. W. I.. D. F- A. Pts Somerville .4 3 1 — 10 6 0 Mount Eden .4 3 1 — 9 0 V University . 4 2 2 — 10 12 4 St. Luke's. .4 2 L — 14 12 4 North Shore .4 2 2 — j ® 4 Epiphany ..4 — 4 — 4 10 —