HOCKEY Woolston Beats University And Gains Clear Lead

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30147, 3 June 1963, Page 6

HOCKEY Woolston Beats University And Gains Clear Lead

Following a good performance last week Woolston achieved even greater heights wheif it defeated University at Williamson Park on Saturday in the sixth round <rf the Canterbury Hockey Association’s senior competition.

These two teams were joint leaders when they met, but Woolston fully deserved its win in a match in which both sides used similar tactics, but in which Woolston’s execution was clearly superior and based on greater experience.

SeSu-yn sprang a mild surprise when it defeated Sydenham, but the results of the other matches were consistent with form thus far during the current season Results were:— Woolston 4, L'nlveraity 2. High School Old Boys 3, West Old Boy* 2. Seiwyn 3, Sydenham 2. Harewood 3. Technical Old Boys 1. Competition points are:— Woolston 54, Univensity‘ 4J High School Old Bays 4 Harewood 4, West Old Boy-. 3, Sydenham lj. Seiwyn 1J Technical Old Boys 0.

WOOLSTON v. UNIVERSITY In most respects University played one of its best game this season, but it could no hold the 'ball as successfully a Its opponents, who were superior in trapping and passing, am especially in intensive clos support. Woolston alway seemed to have more player available for passes than di University, and as a result ther was much good hockey froi the winning team, whose op ponents did well enough t command such a fine display For Woolston, K. Mortlmc

did not produce hi* usual certainty of touch, but J. Abrams, at right-back, was in excellent form, trapping and tackling with certainty and comuinln, sp.endiuly with his half-backs. His partner, B. Winks, also merited the respect at his opponents by reason of a mos determined display. At centrenaif R. Gillespie dominated tht midfield area, and the understanding wnich ex.sted between lim and his right-half. F , Sutherland, and the centre an. right flaiiK iorwards was re sponsible for many splenetic novements. K. Millard, at lefirclf, was another thorn 11 University's side. Outstanding in the Woolsto: forwards was N. Hobson at in side-right. Not only did h. . nibble effectively on attacl ind back-tack.e tirelessly, bu ic also turned up in unex Peered places at unexpected ,imes wiih great profit to hi; learn. He was the best forwart on the field, being followed ii -his respect by R. Best, o University. B. Judge wat closely marked, and althour-1 ilways potentially dangerous lid not make quite the same nipact as usual on the run o. lay. B. Monk was a lively centre-forward, and K. Kierran's solid grafting, especially n back-tackling, was of tremendous value to his team. For University, W. Brehaut presented stublmrn opposition it left-back, and received good support from his partner. D iVilshere. The fbest of the valves was M. Mikhelson on the left, whose positional play was exceptionally good in the marking of Judge, and who enjoyed more success with his passing than most of his colleagues. K Thomson moved well at times in the centre without quite producing his best form, and E. Jackson used his stick-work effectively in a most convinc,ng performance on the right. At inside-left, R. Best backtackjed without cessation, dribbled cleverly in confined areas, and gave considerable impetus to the attack. J. Cahill was prominent at times at centre-forward, but the poor trapping of the right flank pair cost University dearly. Goa.s were scored for Woolston by N. Hobson (2). B. Judge and B. Monk, and A. Read and M. Read scored for University. The umpires were Messrs A Holland and M. Good. HAREWOOD V. TECHNICAL OLD BOYS

Thl* match was played in an excellent spirit, with both teams making every endeavour to be constructive, and there were many interesting moves as a result. Play was very even, and Harewood gained the verdict partly because it showed the, better finish in the circle, and' partly because of the width of its goalposts, so closely did Technical go to scoring more than once. Both teams showed improvement in their passing, and they handled a tricky ground fairly well. The Harewood defence w’as soundiv based upon the backs L. Innes and J. Bate, w-ith R Fuller making some good saves in goal, and D. Shepherd at centre-half plaving a solid game D Lloyd made ground on the right at times, and L. Haste at inside-right showed considerable promise. D. Stanton was both lively and constructive in the centre, and L. Smith made his presence felt at inside-left.

N. Millington was a safe custodian for Technical, and S. Hall and S. Patterson played coolly and combined neatly in the back positions. At centrehalf, G. Shewan fed his forwards neatly, and W. Gilray, on the left, defended well, although occasionally drawn out of position. The best of the forwards was G. Shirley, whose trapping and imaginative passing were most impressive. Both I. Parker and S. Crotty combined well at times with each other and .with the remaining forwards and only persistent cover defence kept the Technical forwards at bay. The Harewood goals were scored by D. Stanton, D. Shepherd and D. Lloyd, and G. Shirley scored for Technical Old Boys. Umpires: Messrs A. D. Holland and N. Dailey

Seiwyn v. Sydenham Seiwyn fully deserved its win because it showed much the better control and because its passing was more accurate and ’logical. The persistence with which Sydenham pursued the myth of the through pass cos’ it dearly. Seiwyn had a lead of two goals at the interval, and Sydenham, by sheer determination and through taking advantage of Seiwyn lapses, did well to even the score, but Seiwyn thereafter returned to its controlled play and regained the Initiative.

In Selwyn’s defence A. Abernethy, at left-back, reproduced his good form of the previous round, and again passed with cate and discrimination. He was well supported by R. Thomas and A. Waters showed much improved form at centre-half particularly in the feeding of his right flank. At right-half, K Cherry has developed into one of the soundest players in this position in senior ranks, and this grouping of players gave Seiwyn a most competent de fence. „

At inside-right W. Burtt played another fine game, his dribbling being prominent once again and the improvement in his passing fully maintained. H< was ably supported by R. Allen on the right-wing, wno played his best game of the season Another contributor to Seiwyn s success was M. Berkeley, at in-side-left. who gained a laurel crown for the amount of she*: hard and effective work which he injected into his game at in-side-left.

S Jessop was disappointing In Sydenham's goal being well below form, but both L. Lloyd and R. Rusbridge, in the back ixisitions. gave better displays because thev made laudable efforts to place their passes instead of crashing the bail downfield. M. Bennett was promlnen: at times at centre-halt, and was responsible for scoring a fine goal. D. Petheridge played extremely well On the right-wing his fast breaks repeatedly worrying Seiwyn. and C Woods returned to form 'with a better performance at inside-right These two were almost the whole of the Svdenham attack because the remaining forwards were most disappointing Goals were scored for Seiwvn by W. Burtt, B Abernethy and B Berkeley, and M Bennett and J. Goddard scored for Sydenham. Umpires: Messrs P. Beere and K. Wright. HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS V. WEST OLD BOYS

Most of the play was doomed to scrappiness because of indifferent trapping the ball so frequently rebounding from the stick of the receiver. Hence neither team could establish any pattern to its play nor achieve any marked ascendancy but the lapses did assist the respective defences. Old Boys won because of their ability to make better use of opportunities and to take greater advantage of errors by opponents. In the Old Boys' defence bo’tbacks, W. Boundy and W Browne. did well, especially the latter, slmnlv because he subdued his hitting and placed his

passes with reasonable accurancy. A. Patterson was again the best of the forwards, and although not in his best form •is clearly a player of abilitywell above the average. J. Kiddey, at inside-left, worked like a demon, and was always swift rnd ruthless in pillaging the West citadel when West lapses offered him the slightest opportunity. For West, N. Little experienced a dispiriting match in =oai. and the burden of the deence fell upon D- Hamilton, who played really well, all the more necessary in view of the fact that his partner R. Elliott. was out of touch. At centrenaif, G. Smith fed Old Boys liberally, but P. Clark, on the left, was cast in heroic mould in his team’s defen. e. At insideright, A. Scott passed to himself overmuch, and the best performance oK. the game came from W Thomson because of staunch back-tackling, his successful harassing of Patterson his dribbling, his covering, and his passing.

Goals for High School Old Boys were scored by J. Kiddey and T Thomas (21. apd W Thomson and G. Smith scored Cor West Old Boys.

Umpires: Messrs K. Wright and E. Ambler.