HOCKEY

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25538, 5 July 1948, Page 9

HOCKEY

SYDENHAM HOLDS LEAD TECHNICAL BEATEN BY SYDENHAM B The surprise of the eleventh round of the Canterbury Hockey Association’s competitions on Saturday was the defeat of Technical by Sydenham B, which had its first win of the season. Trinity was extended to beat Marathon by 2 goals to 1, and Selwyn A had to fight hard to beat the club’s B team by the same margin. Sydenham A scored 3 goals in the first 10 minutes against University and was then on the defensive for the greater part of the second half to win. Results:—

Sydenham A 3, University 0. Sydenham B 2, Technical 1. Selwyn A 2, Selwyn B 1. Trinity 2, Marathon 1. With only three rounds to be played, Sydenham A has a lead of I 1 points in the championship. The points are:— Sydenham AJ9, Selwyn A 7%, Trinity 7, Technical 6’57 Marathon ss, University 5, Selwyn B 2J, Sydenham B 1. SYDENHAM A 3,.-UNIVERSITY 0 There was some good hockey at times in the Sydenham A-University game which Sydenham A won by 3 goals, scored early in the first spell, to nil. Without criticising the umpires, who maintained good control at all times, it must be said that the team captains and coaches have a job to do in disciplining a few players who appear to imagine that it is good hockey to make wild strokes, either in the hope of connecting with the ball or an opponent, and who indulge in too vigorous body-play to the detriment of clever play. However, these offenders are very much in the minority and there was much to admire in the play of both sides. With a rearranged forward line, Sydenham lacked none of its usual dash, but at times the combination was not as smooth as usual. N. Brownlie did very well in his new place at centre, and K. Cumberpatch showed some pretty stickwork, including a beautifully timed scoop. W. Morris was at the top of his form at right half and at times his game was masterly. R. Peacock, too, shone, though one or two stick taps rather detracted from his general high standard. B. Hall and L. Smith were again a fine pair of backs, Hall playing cleverly. Stung by the three early goals against it, University rallied well, but just could not score. I. Armstrong played one of his best games and D. Adcock tried hard, but unluckily, when he had a chance in the circle. With young, vigorous forwards giving him no respite, C. V. Walter had a hard day. He sent up many good passes, nevertheless. That adaptable player, T. Eggleton, dropped into the backline for the greater part of the game and again showed how useful he is byplaying a clever game at left back, a difficult position. Brownlie (2) and Cumberpatch scored. The umpires were Messrs N. Cutler and C. Gutry.

SYDENHAM B 2, TECHNICAL 1 Technical indulged in an orgy of dribbling and bad passing to give Sydenham B its first win of the season by two goals to 1. With M. Wall in the forwards, Sydenham showed considerable improvement, especially in the early stages, and some of the movements were wellconceived and cleverly carried out. Wall, at times, held the ball too long, but he is undoubtedly clever with the stick and was always a menace when near the circle. He still needs to learn when and how to pass. W. Perry played a steady game at right wing, sending over good passes. M. Hall was a sound half who gave his forwards plenty of support and did not neglect defence. R. Wornall and K. Bodger were a good pair of backs, and some of their clearing hits were excellent. Wornall’s stops with the hand were at times close to knock-ons, and he gave away some penalties. Without detracting from Sydenham’s win it is fair to say that Technical have played much better. There was altogether too much dribbling among backs, halves, and forwards, and little combined play at any stage. Grimley, who should have been the spearhead of Technical’s attacks, rarely got the ball, and even less often in a fashion which gave him a chance of a clear run. E. Worsley, on the left, though short of practice, played well. L. Dixey at centre-half battled hard all day. M. Atkinson, who has been doing well recently, caught the dribbling habit, a fault which often lost him possession. His partner, B. Roberts, gave a better display, intercepting well and placing the ball to advantage. . . „ , R. Fergus and M. Wall scored for Sydenham, and C. Dale for Technical. Messrs E. M. Cummins and C. A. Regers were the umpires. TRINITY 2, MARATHON 1 But for sound defence by R. Clarke, E. Parrttt, and A Mitchell, Trinity would certainly have gone down by a substantial margin in the match against Marathon. Marathon had Trinity hard on defence for most of the second spell, but Clarke cleared repeatedly from a barrage of shots from Hughes, Ayson, and O’Keefe. Hughes, who recently arrived from India, where he played in one of the Army teams, showed that he is a master of ball control, stick play, .and clever passing. Only lack of fitness because of a prolonged spell stops J} 11 } 1 from being a champion. His reverse stick plav was brilliant, and his aptitude for finding the openings and opening up the game a revelation. Ayson went to the left wing Where he was not at home, as he revels in plenty of play, and he was somewhat out of the picture. O Keefe went to left inside, but was inchned to bore to the centre. At left back, R. Fairbrother put up a wonderful game, covering a lot of ground and stopping many of the Trinity raids. w The Trinity forwards, without E. Thomas, were ragged, and their offensive movements lacked cohesion. C. Stafford played steadily at left wing and earned consideration for representative honours. Goals were scored for Trinity by Glentworth and Reid, and for Marathon bJ The were Messrs F. S. Kiddey and M. Robinson.

SELWYN A 2, SELWYN B 1 With the rough ground rnaking good hockey impossible, Selwyn B held the club’s A team to a one-goal margin. The B team, which has steadily improved through the season, played with speed and dash and only lack of ball control lost it the victory. ■J• Reece was back to his top form and made many good openings bv clever stick work. G. Miskimmin and Donkin supported Reece well, Miskimmin scoring both goals B. Moore and A. McOscar played soundly in the half line. Down and Burtt made a solid pair in the ba Suppo I sedly n the weaker team, the B side turned on good hockey from M. Watson in the backs to Herron and Bussell ill the forwards. What the team lacked in science was fully made up by keenness and speed. S. Gracie worked hard in the halves; and, with Blakely, broke up many of the A team’s raids. Russell, who is a promoted young player, is showing great promise, as his ball control and passing are clever and sound. Restieaux scored for the B team. „ j The umpires were Messrs K. Dash and W. H. Down. LOWER GRADES Second A Grade.—Selwyn 1, Redcliffs 1; Harewood 4, West Old Boys 1; H. 5.0.8. 1 Technical 0: Trinity 6, Sydenham 0. Second B Grade.— University 2, Riocarton 2: Baptist 5, Harewood 0; Kaiapoi 3, Technical 1; Matchless 5, Marathon 0. Third A Grade.—H.S.O.B. 2, University 2: Sydenham 4, Selwyn 1; Trinity 3, West Old Boys 1; Kaiapoi 2, Marathon 1. Third B Grade.—Avon 4, Selwyn B 0; Technical B 3, Trinity 2; Technical A 4, West Old Boys 3; Sydenham 3, Wesley 2. Fourth A Grade.—H.S.O.B. 0, Redcliffs 0- University 2, Harewood 0; Sydenham 2.’ Technical 0; B.H.S. 5, Wigram 0. Fourth B Grade.—West Old Boys 4, Sydenham 4; Hollywood 12, Selwyn A 0; Selwyn B 5, University A 0; Emulous •>, University 80. Fifth A Grade.—Matchless 8, H. 5.0.8. 1- Avon 5, West Old Boys 0; Sydenham 4, Riccarton 3; Technical 3. Trinity 3. Fifth B Grade.—Sydenham 2, Matchless 1: Papanui Technical 4, Harewood 0. Under 16.—Marathon 7, West Old Boys B 1; Technical 5, West Old Boys A 3; H. 5.0.8. 2, Sydenham 0. ' Under 15— Technical A 5, Sydenham 0, Sumner 4, Technical B 2; West Old Boys 2 Marathon 1; Technical C 3, Selwyn A 1; B.H.S. 9, Selwyn B 0. South Canterbury Results Senior grade matches in South Canterbury on Saturday resulted:—Cambridge 2, Wheelmen 1; Redcliffe 5, Geraldine 1. WOMEN’S GAMES MALVERN TEAMS’ VISIT The Canterbury Women’s Hockey Association played four matches against the Malvern Association at Hagley Park on Saturday. Some sparkling hockey was se«n. Results were:— Canterbury A 2, Malvern A 0. Canterbury B 3, Malvern B 1. Canterbury C 2, Malvern C2. Malvern D 1, Canterbury D 0. The match between the A teams was a try-out for Canterbury’s representative team and several changes were made in the team at half-time. The Canterbury players provided the better hockey, as the Malvern women were inclined to hit Canterbury had the better of the . early stages, but after Donaldson scored in the first few minutes, sound defence by the Malvern backs kept the play in midfield. Several good runs were made by Calder ard Henderson on Malvern’s right, but sterling defence by Tini and Geddes kept Canterbury’s goal clear. Donaldson again scored midway through the second half, when the highlight of the game was the splendid defence of the Malvern goalkeeper, Mrs Priest. Canterbury B’s goals were scored by Weir (2) and Appleton. For Malvern, Hockridge scored. In the C match. Canterbury s goals were

scored by Soper and N. McKenzie and Malvern’s by C. Clinton and C. Brown. Malvern D’s goal was scored by S. Clinton. COMPETITION MATCHES Senior A Grade—Selwyn 3, Digby’s 1; Aranui 0, Rawhiti 0; Christchurch West 3, Technical 3. „ „ Senior Reserve.—Hornby 4, Belfast 0: Selwyn 4, Training College 2; Papanui Technical 7, Carlton 0; Technical 6, Rangiora 3; Sumner 5, University 4. Senior B Grade. —Christchurch West A 2, Lyttelton 1; Beckenham 5, University 0; Training College 5, Technical 0; Hollywood 5, Rawhiti 0; Rangiora 6, Selwyn C. Junior A Grade.—Avonside 1, Training College 0; Digby’s 1, Selwyn 0; Kiwi 3, Hinemba 2; Technical A 5, Christchurch West 3; Aranui 5, Baptist 0. Junior B Grade.—Avonside 4, Lyttelton 1; Selwyn 5, Christchurch West 0; Digby’s 3, Beckenham 0. SENIOR MATCHES AT TIMARU Senior matches in the competitions of the South Canterbury Women’s Hockey Association on Saturday resulted as fol-lows:—Wai-ti 7, Craighead B 1; High School A 1, Craighead A 1; Stafford a b5 The association has ahead of it representative matches against North Otago and Ashburton at Tirnaru on July 31, and August 7, respectively. The annual six-a-sidc tournament is set down for August 14 and at the end of August the association hopes to send two teams to the New Zealand tournament at Dunedin.