HOCKEY Woolston Retains Lead In Championship

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30153, 10 June 1963, Page 13

HOCKEY Woolston Retains Lead In Championship

When the seventh round of the Canterbury Hockey Association’s senior championship was played on Saturday the four leading teams were engaged in a private tussle amongst themselves, and the results of the other matches made little impact upon the advanced positions in the competition. Woolston retained its lead bv beating Harewood, and rfigh School Old Boys moved into third place by beating University. Results were:— Woolston 2, Harewood 2. High School Old Boys 5, University 1. Selwyn 2. Technical Old Boys 1. Sydenham 5, West Old Boys 4. - *

Competition points are:— Woolston 6j, Ha re wood 5 High School Old Boys 5, University 4J, Selwyn 2|, Sydenham 2J, West Old Boys 2. Technical Old Boys 0. SYDENHAM V. WEST OLD

One of the main factors which gave rise to the high score in this match was the defensive weakness in each team in the centre of the field. Both sets of forwards were able to swarm through this area almost at will, and the full-backs were confronted with difficult problems. Sydenham hit the ball harder than did West, and to better purpose, and its trapping was more certain. Furthermore, it succeeded In bustling the West defence into panic and frequent error. The West forwards tended to fondle the ball as if it were a toy, and there seemed to be little value in such dallying. In Sydenham's defence, L. Lloyd and R Rusbridge made many effective clearances and frequently disorganised the slow West attack They were well supported by R Fergus whose trapping was ol great value. D Petheridge was again the best forward, and again doomed to too much futile chasing of the through pass. C Woods. R. Eriekson and J. Goddard enjoyed their most successful match as a trio, making the most of lax marking. The West defence consisted almost entirely of the efforts of D. Hamilton. R. Elliott and P Clark. All played well enough personally, but were inevitably drawn out of position at times in their endeavours to cover the many gaps which their colleagues permitted. When his presence was remembered by his team. R Thomson gave considerable impetus to the West attack, and W. Thomson's back-tackling at inside-left made him virtually the best half on the ground. On attack, he was w-astcfully neglected by his colleagues. Goals were scored for Sydenham by C. Woods (2). R. Erickson (2) and D Petheridge. and W. Thomson scored four goals for West Old Bovs. Umpires: Messrs M. Good and C. Smart. SELWYN V. TECHNICAL OLD BOYS Selwyn deserved the distinction and luxury of its second successive win, because it maintained slightly better control of the ball. But it continued to be hampered by its lack of finish in tne Technical circle. It also gained reprieve at times through the failure of Technical to take advantage of lapses in its defence, this being a major factor in depriving Technical of its first competition • points this season. The match was cleanly played, and in a good spirit. Selwyn's most prominent players were R. Harris in goal. A. Abernethy at left-back, and K. Cherry in the half-line, with R. Allen and W. Burtt giving skilful leadership to an attack which is now gaining greater confidence in itself.

N. Millington contributed some fine saves to Technicals defence, and both S. Hall and S Patterson played soundly at full-back The attack was hampered by an inadequate service from the half-line, but it did succeed in harassing Seiurn because of the speed of J Huston, the constructive effort of I Parker, the dash and elan of S. Crotty, and the unselfish distribution of the ball by G. Shirley. The Selwyn goals were scored by M. Howell and A. Waters, and S. Crotty scored for Technical Old Boys. Umpires: Messrs W. Morris and A. Painter. HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS V UNIVERSITY University’s performance tn this match was most disappointing. Its cover defence seldom functioned on an organised basis, it accepted the tempo and the pressure which Old Boys elected to exert, its forwards were often slow to the ball, and there was so much mistrapping that the defensive players seldom enjoyed much respite from the voracious raids of opponents who were not slow to accept the gifts bestowed by such a quantity of errors. Such gifts included the interception of ill-judged short passes in the de?p defensive area . The Old Boys backl, W. Eoundy and W. Browne, enjoyed a relatively calm day, but Boundy's passing could have been more accurate. The latter accomplished all that was required without undue embarrassment. At centre-half. E Barnes held his position well and thereby made many Interceptions. Had his service to the forwards been more precise. the score might have i been higher still. i On the left. T. Iggo played 1 most effectively, keeping the opposing wing-forward well under control. On the rightwing R. Rogers played a | thoughtful and intelligent game j making many penetrative I breaks, and tearing open a de--1 fence which was never very (tight. Inside him. A Patteri son was clever and constructive, using close stickwork to J treat advantage, and comblnng extremely well with his

other forwards. J. Kiddey was afforded a number of opportunities to show his powerful shooting, and he mode the University circle resemble a rifle range at times. There were a few University players who emerged with tome credit. R O’Connor defended with courage and skill through, out at right-back, and both D. Wilshere and E. Jackson in the half-line were prominent for good interceptions. sound tackling, useful stickwork and adequate passing In the forward line. R. Best was responsible for much backtackling which helped his team s defence, without producing h« best attacking form At in-side-right A Read dribbled as skilfully as ever, and his display was marked by the qualities of conscientiousness and determination

Goals for High School Old Boys were scored by J. Kiddey (31. T Thomas and A. Patterson. nnd R O'Connor scored for University. Umpires: Messrs B. Lloyd and P. Beere

WOOLSTON V. HAREWOOD In view of its bearing on the championship, this match wm the most important of the day. But the standard of play was disappointing, especially In view of the Rood form of both teams in recent matches. Woolston did not move with the same fluency as in the two previous rounds but It did enough m the somewhat scrappy exchanges to merit its win and to increase its lead on the poin's table.

Much of the passing was ragged, but Harewood's liveliness held Woolston for a long time, and only In the second half did the latter place the issue beyond doubf. Woolston sadly missed J. Abrams. • whose absence handicapped his halves and resulted in a loss of the smooth and effective combination which has been established between the backs and the halves and which has so greatly aided the service to the forwards. There was nothing spectacular in the defence of K. Mortimer in the Woolston goal and of the backs. L. Hobson and B. Winks but their solidity meant much to their team. Much of the play of the halves was scrambling in nature, hut their positioning was good enqußh to interfere seriously with Harewood's efforts to create attacks.

Both N. Hobson and B Judge had to indulge in more hunting for opportunity than usual, but their very persistence produced Its own reward. There was determination in the support of their colleagues, but Insufficient skill to gain the verdict without their able leadership. Harewood's grim challenge was based upon strong defence from R Fuller in goal, and from the backs. L. Innes and J Bate. With the assistance of a hard-working half-line (G. Baldwin. D. Shepherd and B. Haste). Harewood kept Woolston at bay for a long time; but the experience of the Woolston players decisively prevented any smooth combination between these defenders and their forwards Among these forwards. R. Cockrnft moved well at times at inside-right and D. Stanton hunted opportunity persistently in the centre. The line lacked the combination to effect those breaches in the defence which were needed for victory. L. Smith worked hard at inside-left, and both wings. D. Lloyd and C. Broadhurst, gained ground at times with their dribbling.

The Woolston goals were scored by N. Hobson and B Monk.

Umpires' Messrs P. Beere and E. Thomas.