HOCKEY Club Games Spoilt By Wet Conditions

Press, Volume C, Issue 29555, 3 July 1961, Page 18

HOCKEY Club Games Spoilt By Wet Conditions

Heavy, cold showers in which games in the eleventh round of the Canterbury Hockey Association’s senior competition were played made conditions almost impossible. AB matches produced grim struggling and scrambling for the ball. Much use was made of the scoop shot and this led to many dangerous situations for the players. Wild swings were made at the ball as it returned from orbit. Under the circumstances occasional movements related to normal hockey practice were almost accidental, and it was something of a tribute to the players that these eventuated. The few who did attempt to maintain some control in trapping and passing were outstanding. Results were:— Technical Old Boys 1, Woolston 1. High School Old Boys 10, Sydenham 0. Harewood 4. University 1. West Old Boys I, Selwyn 1. Competition points are:—High School Old Boys 10, Harewood 81, Woolston 8, University SJ, West Old Boys 5, Technical Old Boys 3J, Sydenham 2J. Selwyn WOOLSTON V TECHNICAL OLD BOTH A very depleted Woolston team managed to hold a lively Technical side to a draw. In the second half Williamson Park became a sea of mud. and play became very ragged, with much wild hitting. Before this the Technical forwards had revealed better form in combined passing which they have achieved in recent matches, and this gave the match its chief resemblance to hockey. For Technical, the backs, S. Hall and P. Kissell. had an unenviable task in clearing from toe mud. and emerged with some credit. In the forwards, G. Harper and K. Collins combined! with some eitect. showing control in their passing. For Woolston, K. Mortimer and L. Hobson tolled solidly in toe deep defence with distinction. and K. Millard also worked willingly in the lialf line. The most prominent forwards were B, Aldridge and D James, both of whom showed some thrust; and determination in hitting and' running which became toe main method of progress. G. Burrows scored for Technical Old Boys, and B. Aldridge converted a penalty bully for Woolston. The umpires were Messrs B. Lloyd and J. Donkin. HIGH SCHOOL Ol.li BOYS v. SYDENHAM . Old , Boys experienced little difficulty in gaining double figures against a depleted Sydenham team. Their trapping and passing were too much for the disjointed efforts of the opposition. Making the best of toe unpleasant weather the players of both teams adopted a rather light-hearted attitude towards proceedings in the second half, and something of a picnic atmosphere prevailed. For Old Boys T. Iggo. In the backs, cleared with decisive hitting, and A. Patterson at rightyhalf, was the best plaver cm the field because or the standard of his trapping and passing. Tn the forwards J. Kiddey. revelling in the conditions. played with determination and passed intelligently. R. Rogers and P. Blyth com<?n tbc ri *ht flank, and i Armstrong took advaiitweak defence to g ° alS for * )me i t F ?F Sydenham, B. Perry and ; L. Lloyd worked usefully in the I defence, and A. Bhana. on the left-wing, lent the only authen-1 tic touch of hockey skill tn a; forward line which lacked combination . and ball control. Scorers for High School Old Boys were I. Armstrong (6), J. Kiddey (3). and E. Barnes. The umpires were Messrs J. Reece and D. Holland. HAREWOOD y. UNIVERSITY seeond match of the day on Williamson Park, this conlest provided all participants with a free mud bath. Harewood owed its vtotorv to its determination to drive’the ball forward, and Uniiversitv spent much time in futile cross-field passing. Because of the amount of scooping the giame was marred by much wild swinging of sticks. Several plavera of both teams did very well to emerge with credit for their efforts. For Harewood R. Fuller, in goal, played with greater purpose and safety, and R. Wornall. in toe backs. Intercepted and passed with sufficient regularity to frustrate University. The half-backs worked hard on both defence and attack. B. Murray and R. Cockroft were the best of a lively forward line which capitalised on the errors In the University defence. The university backs. R O’Connor and M. Linits. were under pressure throughout most of the. game and played stubbornly and well until late in the second half. K. Thomson was a tower of strength at centrehalf, and seemed to enjoy the day s diversion from the norma, routine and practices. A. Read toiled unceasingly in the forwards. The Harewood goals were scored by B. Murray. R. Cockroft, B. Turner arid C. Broadhurst, and R. O’Connor scored for University from a penalty bully. i The umpires were Messrs B. Rogers and P. Beere. SELWYN v. WEST OLD BOYS Selwyn gained its second draw of toe season and was rattier unlucky in not registering its first win. ft was less upset than West Old Boys by toe rain and slush, which appeared to cause toe latter team some panic.

For Selwyn. R Harns, in goal, produced a much Improved performance, blocking well and kicking powerfully from toe circle area. Wading strongly through toe swamp. M. Clements proved of great value to his team as a skilful defender. and W. Bromlev plaved lids best game of the season to celebrate hrs return to toe centre-half position. Of considerable use to the Selwyn attack was the bustling and harrying of Cherry and C. Hes. sey, who were the best of the Selwyn forwards. West's efforts to play constructive hockey have been hampered during toe season bv weak passing. D. Hamilton, Peter Clark and G. Smith bore i toe brunt of toe defensive bur- ’ den. and Paui Clark and P Oakes gave some construction to the forward line. R. Thomson discovered some abundance of energy in toe second half, his efforts bringing toe equalising goal just before full-time The Selwyn goal was scored by W. Bromley. The umpires were Messrs M Good and E. Thomas. laower Grades Senior Reserve.—Woolston 5, N-A.C. 2; Selwyn 1, BR A. 0: Sydenham A 9. University 0: Burnham 4, Sydenham B 1. Second Grade A.—Harewood 1, Teachers’ College 1; High School Old Boys beat Boys* High School by default. Third Grade.—Cashmere High School 5. Boys’ High School 3; Hornby 4. Sydenham A 4: Shirley Boys’ Hi-gh School beat Sydenham B by default; Teachers’ College 7. Riccarton High Schoo! 1. Fourth Grade.—High School Old Boys 8, Woolston 1. Under 16.—Boys’ High School B 2, Sydenham 1.