HOCKEY Linwood Only Unbeaten Team In India Shield

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28368, 29 August 1957, Page 5

HOCKEY Linwood Only Unbeaten Team In India Shield

To decide the winners of the India Shield for 1957, Unwood Boys’ Hi«rh School and Auckland Grammar School will meet in the final match of the secondary schoolboys’ hockey tournament in Christchurch this morning. Auckland Grammar, a school which has always been particularly prominent in previous tournaments, will be hard-pressed to , defeat the young Linwood team, which has caused a great surprise by reaching the final undefeated.

Auckland Grammar, while being a strong team in its good ball control and exemplary positional play, has not impressed as much as the Linwood team in its keenness on attack. As well, several grammar players have, been affected by influenza. Taumarunui High School played very well on Tuesday to beat Auckland Grammar, but it suffered a lapse in form yesterday morning and lost its game to Christchurch Technical College. This was Taumarunui’s first loss of the tournament, making it equal in points with Auckland Grammar. In the play-off, Auckland

Grammar reversed the result of Tuesday’s match, and went forward to the semi-final. The two semi-finals played yesterday afternoon were between Linwood High School and Wanganui Technical College, and Auckland Grammar and Napier Boys’ High School. Excellent coaching by Mr A. E. Britton was reflected in Linwood’s performance against the strong Wanganui side. After an early score hy Wanganui from a penalty corner. D. Manson scored for Linwood to bring the scores even, 1-all. For the rest of the game the scores remained unchanged and extra time was called so that a decision could be reached. The tactics of the Linwood side were brilliant, and in the 10 minutes of the extra time, goals were scored by G. Moss and B. Monk .in moves which had the defence groping. Linwood thoroughly deserved its .3-1 win, and should provide extremely tough opposition for Auckland Grammar in the final today. Many Mistakes The semi-final between Auckland Grammar and Napier Boys’ High School was not up to the standard expected of these sides. Both teams made many mistakes, and Auckland Grammar can largely thank its brilliant centre-forward, D. S. Cowperthwaite, for its win. Cowperthwaite scored both his side’s points froni melees in front of the Napier goal. The Napier right full-back. R. Cooper, who is a Napier senior representative player, strove hard to keep his side on attack, but found support lacking. Results of yesterday’s matches were:— Section I.—Christchurch Technical College 2, Taumarunui High School 1; Auckland Grammar 6, King Edward Technical College 0. Section ll.—Christchurch Boys’ High School A 1. Hutt Valley High School 0; Wanganui Technical 6. Takapuna Grammar 0. Section lll.—Linwood High School 2, Avondale College 1: Wellington College 3, School for the Deaf 2. Section IV.—Napier Boys’ High School 3. Mt. Roskill Grammar 0: Christchurch West High School 6. Scot’s College I Section Points Final section points were:— Section I.—Auckland Grammar 8. Taumarunui 6, Christchurch Technical 5, Christchurch Boys’ High School B 3. King Edward Technical 0.

Section ll.—Wanganui Technical 8, Christchurch Bovs’ High School A •6, Hutt Valley High School 4, Christ's College 2. Takapuna Grammar 0. / Section lll.—Linwood High .School 1, Wellington College 6, Avondale College 4, School for the Deaf 2, Rangiora High School 0. Section IV.—Napier Boys’ High School 9, Christchurch West High School 7, Mt. Roskill Grammar 4. Papanui High School 4, Scot’s College 0. Semi-finals.—Linwood High School 3, Wanganui Technical 1; Auckland Grammar 2, Napier Boys* High School 0.