HOCKEY Top Teams Retain Places Against Weaker Opponents

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30171, 1 July 1963, Page 5

HOCKEY Top Teams Retain Places Against Weaker Opponents

The tenth round of matches in the Canterbury Hockey Association’s senior competition represented another phase in which the four leading teams were engaged in games with those in the lower half of the championship, and the results were consistent with the current placings. The only encounter which remained in doubt until the end was that between West Old Boys and University, the latter, although riddled with fallibility, managing to preserve a one goal lead in the face of considerable pressure.

Results were:— Woolston 3, Sydenham 1. High School Old Boys 8, Technical Old Boys 1. Harewood 4, Selwyn 1. University 2, West Old Boys 1. Competition points are: Woolston 91, High School Old Boys 8, University 71, Harewood 6, Sydenham 31, West Old Boys 3, Selwyn 21, Technical Old Boys 0. UNIVERSITY V. WEST OLD BOYS In this game University's sole achievements were success in the final result and the preservation of some degree of silence in its ranks, and it must have been a novel experience to listen to the excited chattering of opponents whose concentration could not

have been assisted by their combined loquacity and conflicting advice. University had the better of the first half, during which West played with the modesty and ineffectiveness which have plagued it for much of the season. In this period University should certainly have scored more than one goal, but the forwards were slow to anticipate the potentialities in the development of favourable attacking moves, and when they did give support in the circle their shooting was hurried and unbalanced.

Arter the interval the passing and trapping of University v.ere so enfeebled that the disintegration which inevitably resulted must have made the remainder of the match a juvenile nightmare. In these circumstances West could not help but improve, and its repeated attacks constantly threatened University's slender lead.

For the winners, L. Anderson made some vital saves, G. Hem covered well, and E. Jackson refused to emulate his colleagues' practice of passing to the opposition. Although not well acquainted with the requirements of the right-wing position, J. Troughton showed resolution and promise. At in-side-left R. Best indulged in long dribbling excursions which rapidly gained much ground and as rapidly lost it because of his refusal to pass.

For West. N. Little showed much better form in goal, and R. Elliott and D. Hamilton played with greater confidence in defence, their trapping being good, but their covering slow. At centre-half P. Clark was always prominent, partly because of his desire to elude as many opponents as possible, and G. Smith marked his- wing more closely and therefore more successfully than in recent games. W. Thomson was easily the best of toe vanguard, and there was a lesson for University in the accuracy and unselfishness of his passing to the right. I. Bishop and J. Trough ton scored for University, and W. Thomson scored for West Old Boys. Umpires: Messrs A. D. Holland and A. Painter. HAREWOOD v. SELWYN Although Harewqpd never appeared to be threatened with defeat, it gave the impression of being rather unsettled by Selwyn’s temerity in opening the scoring. Hence there was a tendency towards bustling, which rather played into the hands of toe Selwyn- defence. More deliberate methods would have created more gaps, and Harewood was fortunate in the inability of the Selwyn forwards to make much progress or to retain the ball. It was able, therefore, to exert greater pressure than should have been the case.

In Harewood's defence R. Fuller was consistently sound, and the backs. J. Bate and L. Innes, were much too experienced and solid for the Selwyn forwards. R. Cockroft again played in the halves, and was the best half on the field, and D. Shepherd in the centre

enjoyed greater opportunities for attacking play, obviously relishing the experience. D. Stanton and L. Smith were very lively inside forwards, the latter playing his best game for some time. On the leftwing C. Broadhurst’s mercurial speed made Selwyn’s right flank defence a thing of rags and tatters at times.

Outstanding for Selwyn was M. Berkeley at left-half. His intercepting and clearing were sound and consistent, and the score would certainly have been greater but for his efforts, which were worthily supplemented by those of A. Abernethy. K. Cherry again did well at right-half, and W. Burtt in the centre toiled hard with fair results, but his absence from the forward line left it disorganised and bereft. Goals were scored foe Harewood by G. Baldwin (2), L. Smith and D. Stanton, and W. Burtt scored for Selwyn. Umpires: Messrs E. Thomas and E. Graham. HIGH SCHOOL 0.8. v. TECH-

NICAL 0.8. In the first phase of this match Old Boys dictated the nature of the proceedings by good combined play in the forward line, and so confused did the Technical defence become that its circle resembled an old-time slapstick comedy, with actors entering and exiting without reference to cues. Later Technical did improve, but never sufficiently to cope with the disordered bustling and scampering called by its apologists power play. Although Old Boys scored more goals after the interval, their play in the first half was more impressive. For Old Boys, W. Browne and W. Boundy dealt drastically with Technical’s few forays and with the long hits which reached them with ample time for constructive treatment, and E. Barnes in the centre had one of his better days, enjoying the amount of time and space he requires for assisting his forwards. R. Rogers appeared a little casual on the right-wing, but the inside trio. A. Patterson. I. Armstrong and J. Kiddey. combined well at times to exploit the weakness of the opposing defence with ruthlessness. Poor passing has usually been a weakness in Armstrong’s play, and it was pleasing to note improvement in this respect. It was l unfortunate for Technical that its goalkeeper, N. Millington, was below form. He has played consistently during the season, but some shots, which he has been wont to block, eluded him in this match The rest of the defence seemed to be a matter of everyone playing everywhere, only C. Smart and S. Hall managing to preserve their dignity in the motley throng. There were occasions when J. Burrows. I. Parker and G. Shirley showed some combination in the vanguard, but they were too rare to bring any real embarrassment to Old Boys. Goals for the latter were scored by I. Armstrong (5). J. Kiddey, T. Thomas and W. Boundy. and I. Parker scored for Technical Old Boys. Umpires: Messrs E. Thomas and P. Bee re. WOOLSTON V. SYDENHAM Moving with determination, calmness and fluency, and using Its strong right flank sensibly and skilfully, Woolston placed the issue beyond doubt by halftime. In this period Sydenham was held firmly in a vice from which there appeared no escape, but after the interval Woolston, as if devoid of further ambition, relaxed and allowed a more determined effort by its opponents to meet with some limited success. For Woolston the controlling company of J. Abrams. P. Sutherland. R. Gillespie. N. Hobson and B. Judge moved the ball about with skill, imagination and enjoyment, their approach t>lay being deliberate and creative, and the final probings proving powerfully penetrative. Sydenham could do little but await their pleasure.

and their subsidiaries played up to them unselfishly, until bustled by Sydenham in the later stages, Sydenham's deep defence would have fared worse but for the experience and determination of L. Lloyd and R. Rusbridge. who held many attacks at bay in their late stages, and the half-line met with some success in the second half. The forwards were handicapped by the difficulties suffered by an oppressed defence in clearing the ball to them with time for

control and manoeuvre, but they made a number of creditable sorties which caused the Woolgton defence to scamper hurriedly at times. In this achievement D. Petheridge’s speed and skill were the chief instruments, and he was usually supported enthusiastically by C. Woods and J. Goddard. The former dribbled neatly, and did well in providing Petheridige with the opportunity for several lengthy breaks. Goals were scored for Woolston by K. Kiernan. B. Monk and B. Judge, and D Petheridige scored for Sydenham.

Umpires: Messrs N. Dailey and W. D. Sloane.