HOCKEY COMPETITION TO BE SUBDIVIDED

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29869, 9 July 1962, Page 3

HOCKEY COMPETITION TO BE SUBDIVIDED

With the completion of the eleventh round of the Canterbury Hockey Association’s senior competition, the first group of four teams has been decided. It is intended to subdivide the competition into two groups, the top four teams meeting each other to decide the championship, and the lower four engaging in the struggle to avoid the threat of relegation. This subdivision will take place later in the season, but the present grouping cannot be affected by any results in the meantime. With one exception Saturday’s results were consistent with club form. The surprise was the achievement of Selwyn in holding Harewood to a draw. Results were:— High School Old Boys 3, West Old Boys 0. Woolston 2, University 1. Technical Old Boys 2, Sydenham 2. Selwyn 1, Harewood 1. Competition points are:— Woolston 9J, High School Old Boys 9. Harewood 8, University 7, West Old Boys 3J, Sydenham 34, Technical Old Boys 2, Selwyn IJ. Woolston v. University Although this match was evenly contested its standard of play was low. Both teams presented reasonable defences, but neither forward line Impressed at all. The University vanguard was especially ineffective, its members being unable to trap the ball with any certainty or consistency, and persisting in attempted stickwork without sufficient mastery to use it to advantage. Moreover, square passing was repeatedly exercised when the positioning of opponents made the manoeuvre useless The finest forward on the field, B. Judge, on Woolston’s right-wing, was also the most neglected one, and there was no excuse for Woolston’s failure to exploit his talents or the tactical advantage of this avenue of attack. The continuation of this negative policy could well cost Woolston the championship The persistent clouting of the ball to the left-wing will hardly take any opposing defence by surprise, but will assuredly grant it additional time for organisation.

Woolston’s outstanding player was K Mortimer in goal. His blocking of shots was excellent, and his kicking powerful and decisive. J. Hyndman was very sound at right-back, and L. Hopson made a capable understudy at left-back in the absence of J. Abrams. R. Gillespie was very prominent at centre-half, partly through his own ability and partly because of the generosity with which he was fed by University players. At left-half K. Millard, by

close-marking, cancelled G. Rothwell of University out of the game, though Rothwell made little effort to elude him. N. Hobson worked hard at inside-right, but seemed affected by staleness, his play being rather sluggish. The remaining forwards did little more than hit and run.

In University's defence the backs. R. O’Connor and E. Jackson, were always steady and reliable, the trapping and passing of the latter being an example which most of his colleagues chose to Ignore. K Thomson was in splendid form at centre-half, intercepting wth coolness and certainty, and confounding the opposition with elever stickwork. P. Gravitt, at left-half, did well enough to enjoy some success in marking Judge. Goals were scored for Woolston by B. Judge and B. Monk, and W. Brehaut scored for University. Umpires:—Messrs K. Wright and A. D. Holland.

High School Old Boys v. West Old Boys

Improved defensive play by West held Old Boys at bay in the first half, but after the interval continued pressure by a better team brought results. Both teams were very lively, but Old Boys were clearly superior in trapping, in seeking unmarked positions, in firm passing, in speed to the ball and in the control of it when dribbling. For Old Boys T. Iggo at rightback was a steady partner to the upfield excursions of W. Browne who enjoyed some success in breaking up West attacks in their early stages. A. Patterson played a fine game at right-half, his close stickwork being most effective, and he gave tils forwards a liberal supply of the ball with accurate passes. R. Rogers had a keen duel with Paul Clark, and P Blyth at inside-right distributed the ball usefully. J. Klddey’s control was good, but close marking reduced the value of his dribbling T Thomas made some good centre passes from the left-wing. In the West defence D. Hamilton and R. Elliott covered each other well, and the halves worked hard against more experienced opponents. D. Robertson and G Smith improved their cover defence considerably. R. Thomson dribbled with power and speed on the right-wing, and W. Thomson showed much greater thrust at inside-left, allied to good stickwork The main weakness throughout the team was the delay in dispatching passes Hence players were caught in possession unnecessarily at times.

Goals were scored for High School Old Boys by J Kiddey (2) and T. Thomas.

Umpires:—Messrs E. Graham and P. Beere.

Sydenham v. Technical Old Boys Favouring what has come to be styled the open game, these teams waged an even struggle productive of much physical effort and little skill. The game was characterised by admirable solo dribbles of great speed and virile hitting, varied with some graceful scoop shots of impressive altitude. For Sydenham there was value in the goalkeeping of C. Jesset, stern defence by L. Lloyd and K. Cumberpatch, and constructive attack from R Fergus K. Priest and K. Gee were energetic forwards who were well led by C. Woods, whose stickwork and backtackling lent some authenticity to the general scene. The skill of S. Hall meant much to Technical, and it was supplemented by the determination of S. Crotty and the opportunism of R. Best. J. Houston and I. Parker gave

some impetus to the attack in a match in which interceptions sasily outnumbered successful passes.

R. Ghanda and J, Pethridgi scored for Sydenham, and J Houston and G. Shirley scored for Technical Old Boys. Umpires: Messrs M. Good and W. Perry. Selwyn v. Harewood Selwyn took full advantage of the feverish nature of Harewood's play, and nearly achieved toe distinction of bringing the Latter's unbeaten record to an end. For a voune and inexperienced team toe result was a triumph tor Selwyn. but there may be some agony in Harewood's reappraisal Harewood tried to solve the problem of penetrating Selwyn's rather frail defence by speed and yet more speed, and tiie rate of error grew in proportion.

Selwyn succeeded in launching some attacks on its own account, more especially in the first half, and although these were not often convincing they robbed Harewood of valuable time. Selwyn endured more prolonged pressure in the second half, but toe wild shooting of the Harewood forwards suggested that most of the week-end would be required If the match were to be won.

A goal was scored tor Harewood by C. Broadhurst, and A. Waters equalised for Selwyn