HOCKEY

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23001, 22 April 1940, Page 6

HOCKEY

COMPETITIONS BEGIN FAST EVEN PLAY IN OPENING , GAMES The Canterbury Hockey Association competitions opened on Saturday, and for the first matches of the season the standard of play was quite equal to that of previous seasons. Technical fully extended last year’s champions, and was only beaten, in the last minute of the game. Sydenham B sprang a surprise by beating Trinity by the odd goal in throe, and Sydenham A .had the better finish to beat University by five goals to nil. The following table shows the positions of the teams: — Goals W. D. L. F. A. Pts. Sydenham A.. 1 0 0 5 0 1 Sydenham B .. 1 0 0 ' 2 1 1 Redciiffs ... 1 0 0 1 0 1 Technical .. 0 0 T 0 1 0 Trinity .. • 0 0 1 1 2 0 University .. 0 0 1 0 5 0 REDCLIFFS (1) V. TECHNICAL (0) Redciiffs snatched a last-minute victory in a fast, even game with Technical, during which the Redciiffs - forwards lost a few golden opportunities by over-eager-ness. With a few alterations in last season’s team, Technical gave a great display, but the forward play lacked thrust. The following were the teams: — Redciiffs—H. Barnhill, S. Bowden, R. Gray, W. Bowden, R. Thomson, C. Papps, J. Grimley, E. Radcliffe, N. Bowden, J. Coleman, and R. J. Donkin. Technical—F. Kiddey, N. Soper, E. Rogers, R. Doidge, W. Cole. K. Beattie, E. Worsley, A. Manning, A. Norman, R. Leney, and S. Ballinger. Technical had five new players in the team, all of whom were promoted from lower teams, and, although defeated by a more experienced side, put up a great performance. R. Leney, at left inside, shows promise of making a good player, but needs coaching and experience, as he is Inclined to neglect his wing man and his Centres are somewhat ill-timed. The two backs, E. Rogers and N. Soper, are a hard-working pair. The latter, who is a son of J. Soper, the old Canterbury and Cranford back, has the makings of a good back, and is worth watching. W. Bowden was the key of the Redciiffs team, and his wide experience and snappy play were of great assistance to his team. The forwards need to steady down, as they are inclined to “rush their fences,” and threw away numerous goals by wild circle play. With less than a minute to go N. Bowden registered the only goal of the match. Mr E. M. Cummins was the referee. SYDENHAM B (2) V. TRINITY (1) Sydenham B put up a good fight to beat the more experienced Trinity side by two goals to one. Trinity had the better of the play, but .a tendency to stop for imaginary breaches before Ihe whistle went spoilt their game. Sydenham, an the other hand, played to the whistle, and kept on the ball. The teams were;— Trinity—D. Lester; R. Parrett. A. McDonald. J. Small, D. Loader. T. Brown, W. Thomas. E. Thomas, C. Salomen, E. McCormick, and C. Stafford. Sydenham B—H. V. Rhirtd, J. Copplestone, U. Connor. W. Hardie. R. Peacock, W. Perry, J. Weir, C. Randle, B. Sloan, A. Woolcock, R. Williams. Erratic shooting cost Trinity a game in which it had much the better of the field play. Time and a’gain the forwards reached Sydenham’s circle, but the ball was skied over the net. The half-line was sound, and Brown made numerous openings for his forwards. Both Parrett and McDonald were sound on defence and stopped the Sydenham forwards time and (again. For a young side Sydenham showed clever stick play and better combination than Trinity, and the short passing of the forwards was at times very cleverly worked. For Sydenham Williams and Sloan scored, and for Trinity Stafford. Mr G. Taylor was the referee. SYDENHAM A (5> v. UNIVERSITY (0) Sydenham gave the. more finished display to beat University by five goals. University had only five of the last year’s team and the attack was ragged and' disorganised. The half line worked, hard without result and the, back division was weak. Sydenham included eight of last season’s team and played with better combination all through. The teams were:— Sydenham A—C. Ryder. J. Hamilton. N. Hocking. R. Simpson. B. Hall, E. Densem, N. ; Smythe, F. ; Small, L. Smith; ; R Luke, and C. Dale. ' • University—G. Malster, W. Johnston, E. Blackstock, C. V. Walter, H. Filer. T. Eggleston, P.- Seldom H. Boniface, F. Hurst, J. Devereux. j, Poor defence was University’s chief weakness. Johnston made a bad mistake in keeping too close to the halves and his clearing was feeble. Walter and Filer, in the halves, worked hard, all through, but Devereux was the only forward worthy of note, and there was a lack of combination In the' attacking movements. Sydenham adopted a better method of passing and the players fcombtned ir. short passing as a contrast to the long pass across field adopted by University. Sydenham’s forwards “put more sting into their circle play, which was fast and nlppv. Sydenham’s scores were obtained by Dale, Small, Smith, and Smvffie. The other-score was obtained through the ball going into the net off a defender s stick. Messrs’W. H. Down and R. V. Taylor were th|f referees. LOWER GRADES ~ Junior A - Trinity ,4. Technical 3. Air Force 7, University 80. Sydenham 2, University A 1. Selwyh 3, Redciiffs .2. I Junior B / | Selwyn 2, Trinity 2. Harewood 4. Kaiapoi 1. Technical - .4, Air Force 1. ' ' Avon-3, Sydenham 2. ' ' “Third A . Grade Trinity, 6, University B 4. University A 3, Avon 1. St. Mark’s 0.8. 4. Sydenham 4. Redciiffs 6, Selwyn •4. Third B Grade A. Section Heathcote: r 3. Harewood 3. Technical 6, .Trinity 0. ' r Sydenham 9, Kaiapoi -2. B Section , ■ 'Heathcote . B 4, Sydenham 80. - Marathon 2, University 1. ■New Brighton 0.8. 20, Sydenham C O. ’ " fourth Grade Selwyn 5, Redciiffs 3." Trinity 2, Sydenham B 1. ‘ Kaiapoi 12, Technical 4. Sydenham A 8, Technical 0.8. 1.

Fifth A Grade Sydenham 3. Papanui Technical 0. School for Deaf 15, Trinity 0. Technical 3, Harewood 2. Avon 14. Selwyn 1. Fifth B Grade Sydenham A 5, New Brighton D.H.S. 0. Technical A 7, Sydenham B 0. Selwyn A 4, Technical C 0. Selwyn B 5, Papanui Technical 1. WOMEN’S HOCKEY Friendly Match Canterbury College Senior A 3. Lyttelton Senior Reserve 0. Senior A Grade Rangiora 3. Digbys 2. Rawhitl 3, Technical 3. Carlton 1, Hornby 0. Aranul 4, West Christchurch 0. Senior Reserve Sunnyslde 5. Belfast 2. Training College 1, Hornby 1, Beckenham 3, Technical 1. Selwyn 5, Kiwi 1. Senior B Grade Technical 4. Aranul 1. Bdckenham 2, Canterbury College 0. Digbys 2, Avonside 0. < RedcUffs S, West Christchurch 2. Junior A Grade Aranul 5, Canterbury College 0. . West Christchurch A 3, Digbys 1. . Rawhitl 0, West Christchurch B p. .. Maralyn 4, Technical 4. Selwyn 9, Redcllffs 0. Belfast 8, Rangiora 3. ' Junior B Grade Technical 3, , Sumner 1. * Beckenham 5, Selwyn B I. Selwyn A 3, West Chrlstchtirch 1. Digbys beat Marama by default. INTER-SCHOOL MATCH : . . ,’ ■, '■ t A friendly hockey match was played between' Medbury School and Cathedral Grammar School at Medbury grounds on Saturday. . Cathedral Grammar School won by 4 goals to 3.