HOCKEY

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26528, 17 September 1951, Page 2

HOCKEY

CHALLENGE SHIELD MATCH

CANTERBURY BEATS WAIKATO

The Canterbury representative hockey team retained the New Zealand Challenge Shield on Saturday by beating Waikato in the sixth challenge match of the season by 4 goals to 1. The Canterbury team’s goal average for shield matches sets a record. It has scored 29 goals and has had only 11 scored against It in six games.

The Waikato players, who appeared to be heavier than the Canterbury players, relied on long, hard passes from the backs, whereas the Canterbury backs exploited the short pass to’ either wing. Both L. Harrington and P. Twidle, the Waikato backs, were sound and hard hitters, but lacked the short, swift clearing shots. The half line appeared weak compared with the Canterbury halves. N. Heath, at centre, concentrated in marking H. Hannah, and did so fairly well, but neither Adams nor Allen could stop the Canterbury wings. G. Gough and D. Hannan were good on the left and showed a fair turn of speed as well as good stick work. Irwin, in the centre, was not impressive, He failed to make openings and link the wings. Eastwood, on the right wing, and Wilkinson could have been given more of the ball. Both made good use of their chances. [ For Canterbury G. Maister was as sound as usual. His only failure was when be was caught on the wrong foot and Gough beat him. M. Down showed a decided improvement, and often got his side put of trouble. His clearing shots were better placed than usual. Hall was cool and efficient, and his short, well-placed hits started many Canterbury raids. Peacock has never played better. His trapping and ball control were brilliant. L. Lloyd played consistently well, and is improving with every game. E. Thomas was easily the most finished exponent of the stick game on the ground. His trapping, passing, and centring were brilliant. M. McKinnon, who stood down for three games, gave a good display on the left wing. His goal was the result of very clever stick play. I. Smith was patchy, and Cumberpatch, though dashing at times, was not as spectacular as usual. , The ground was in first-class order, but the attendance was small. . The teams were:— ! Canterbury.—G. Maister, M. Down, B. Hall. L. Lloyd, R. Peacock, R. Randle. E. Thomas, I. Smith, H. Hannah, K. Cumberpatch, M. McKinnon. Waikato.—E. Foster. L. Harrington. R. Twidle, G. Adams, N. Heath, J. Allen. R. Eastwood, K. Wilkinson, M. Irwin, G. Gough, and D. Hannam. I The Scoring Play stayed in midfield for a short period after the opening bully. The Canterbury forwards were sent away by Lloyd, but the hard-hitting Twidle cleared to Harman, who lost possession to Down. Both seta of backs defended well. Gough and Hannan frequently gained ground by speedy passing, but found Randle and Down Intercepting. Canterbury narrowly missed on two occasions when Cumberpatch and McKinnon attempted to goal. McKinnon's chance came when Randle sent a pass which was snapped up, and McKinnon went away to beat Adams and Harrington in turn and gave Foster in goal no chance. Canterbury 1, Waikato 0. Canterbury's attack swung to the right, where Thomas and Smith were playing outstandingly, but Thomas’s shot went wide. Harrington stopped a hot shot from Thomas and had to receive attention from an ambulance man. Solid defence by Harrington ahd Twidle stemmed a solid right-wing attack by Thomas and Han- ' nah. and Waikato took play to Canterbury’s circle until Down cut in to clear. Peacock started Canterbury’s forwards In a combined effort. Cumberpatch’s shot hit the crossbar and came back In to play, for Smith to snap the ball into the net. Canterbury 2, Waikato 0. The ’ score was unchanged at half-time. The second spell opened wlth a strong left-wing raid by Waikato. Gough attempted a shot which was blocked and cleared by Maiater. Irwin and Gough went away, supported by Wilkinson. Maister came out, but slipped and Gough goaled easily. Canterbury 2, Waikato 1. Gough and Hannan repeatedly broke away, but solid play by Lloyd and Down kept Canterbury’s circle clear. Only solid defence by Twidle and Harrington kept Canterbury out. A scramble In Waikato's goalmouth ended in a penalty bully against the goalkeeper, and Smith had no trouble in scoring. Canterbury 3, Waikato 1. Canterbury gained the upper hand, and a penalty corner gave Cumberpatch a chance to goal. Canterbury 4, Waikato 1. Two penalty corners to Canterbury were nullified by Infringements, but although Canterbury had the better of the closing stages there was no further score. The umpires were Messrs W. Dredge (Wellington) and C. A. Rogers. LOWER GRADE FINAL

The only other game played on Saturday was the final of the fourth grade, Sumner beating Navy 4-1.