LEADING TEAMS WIN IN EIGHTH ROUND

Press, Volume C, Issue 29537, 12 June 1961, Page 11

LEADING TEAMS WIN IN EIGHTH ROUND

Although Canterbury met Otago in the first shield challenge of the season, a full round of competition matches was played on Saturday. The stronger teams were without their leading players, but there were no upsets. On recent form, however. University was not expected to beat West Old Boys, but the students infused more 1 dash into their play and moved into fourth place on the championship ladder. Results were: — University 2, West Old Boys 0. High School Old Boys 4, Technical Old Boys 1. Woolston 2, Sydenham 1. Harewood 4, Selwyn 0. Competition points to date are:—High School Old Boys 7, Harewood 61, Woolston's,. University 4J, West Old Boys 4, Technical Old Boys 2, Sydenham 2, Selwyn J. UNIVERSITY v. WEST OLD BOYS The University forwards compensated for lack of skill by massed onslaughts on attack and a most determined degree of bustling which not only frustrated West but also persuaded many West players to proceed with undue haste in reply. Players of both teams often passed the ball to an opponent in close proximity, and then pounced upon him before he could benefit from the act of altruism. - The game was, therefore, a swiftly changing series of wellattended conventions in various areas of the field, with manyparticipants being involved in the numerous disputes for possession. West had slightly the better of these exchanges, but its defence wavered on several occasions, whereas University's defence remained Impregnable throughout. The most prominent University players were R. G. O’Connor, at right back, E. Jaekson at right-half. M. Lints at centre-half, and A. Best at centre-forward. The latter provided the University vanguard with an example of determination which his colleagues emulated with enthusiasm. For West Old Boys Peter Clarke toiled mightily at centrehalf, his play following the recognisable canons of the game to a greater extent than that of most. Paul Clarke was the best of a forward line whose passing quite failed to embarrass the University defenders. The two University goals were scored by A. Best. Umpires: Messrs N. Hocking and B. W. Rogers. WOOLSTON v. SYDENHAM With five players in the Canterbury team Woolston did well to win this match. The members of both teams maintained their positions well, and the trapping was very reliable. However, there was an air of calculated objectivity tn the unerring accuracy with which the bail was passed from opponent to opponent, and the proceedings were conducted at tiroes along the lines of a baseline duel at Wimbledon. The absence of net rushing and volleying gave the game a sharply silhouetted pattern. For Woolston L. Hobson was a sound, calm, and steadying influence at left-back, and B. Aldridge made a number of long, penetrating dribbles. His speed sorely troubled Sydenham. for which C. Woods did best at inside-right. The Woolston goals were scored by D. James and B. Aldridge, and C. Woods scored for Sydenham. Umpires: Messrs N. Hocking and B. W. Rogers. HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS V. TECHNICAL OLD BOYS Lacking the services of three regular senior players in the Canterbury team. High School Old Boys gained a comfortable

victory over Technical Old Boys on a very heavy ground. Old Boys played with a greater measure of control, and fully deserved their win. Technical did not maintain its form of recent matches, some passing lapses being once again in evidence. The best players for Old Boys were A. Patterson, at centre half. J. Kiddey, at left half, and D. Anthony, at centre forward. The Old Boys goals were scored by T. Thomas (2), J. Kiddey and D. Anthony. Able exponents for Technical were P. Kissell. at left back, C. Smart, at centre half, and G. Harper, in the forwards. SCrotty scored for Technical Old Boys. Umpires: Messrs E. Thomas and M. Good. HAREWOOD v. SELWYN Throughout this match Harewood showed a better appreciation of requirements for a heavy ground and of sound positional play, in addition to which the Harewood players were superior in stickwork and more accurate in their passing. There were occasions when the Selwyn forwards indulged in some neat combined play, thereby showing flashes of improvement upon previous efforts. Furthermore, there was much greater cooperation between halves and backs on defence, with the result that the Selwyn circle wa& more effectively guarded than has so often been the case. Especially sound in the Harewood defence were the wing halves. G. Baldwin and L. Innes, who also co-operated well with their forwards, of whom B. Murray, in the centre, was the best player on the field. Selwyn’s most prominent defenders were M. Clements, at left back, and W. Bromley, at centre half, and in the forwards there were periods of good combined play from the right flank pair. J. Ellis and K. Cherry. Goals for Harewood were scored by L. Smith (2), B. Murray and G. Gibson. Umpires: Messrs A. D. Holland and N. Dailey.