HOCKEY Woolston And Old Boys To Meet In Final

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30213, 19 August 1963, Page 17

HOCKEY Woolston And Old Boys To Meet In Final

With one round remaining in the senior hockey competition Woolston and High School Old Boys will meet next Saturday to decide the championship honours for the 1963 season. Both gained wins last Saturday in the second round of the Canterbury Hockey Association’s sub-divided competition. Woolston had the harder task, being required to overcome its conquerors of the previous fortnight, Harewood, and this it achieved in no uncertain manner. University’s ghost team performed so poorly that High School Old Boys won easily although showing quite indifferent form. Results were:—

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP Woolston 5, Harewood 2. High School Old Boys 5, University 0. TAYLOR TROPHY Sydenham 3, Selwyn 2. West Old Boys 4, Technical Old Boys 2. Championship points are: Woolston 13J, High School Old Boys 13J, University 10, Harewood 9. Sydenham 7j, West Old Boys 6J, Selwyn 4, Technical Old Boys 0. WOOLSTON V. HAREWOOD Three players dominated this match, and the exercise of their skill and influence upon their own team determined the issue At inside-right N. Hobson was unusual among the game's forwards and his sacrifice of speed for control, and his skill not only produced penetration on its own account but also acted as a stabilising factor upon his other forwards at crucial times He received good support from D. James on the right-wing, the latter substituting for B. Judge, who was on duty at a wedding R. Gillespie was the second of the three, covering for most of the time most of the 5500 square yards of field, and steadily directing the attack into the most logical direction. The third member of the trio was J. Abrams at right-back, whose trapping and intercepting halted many attacks. He covered his partner well and fed Gillespie most effectively. His form was important to his team because of the appalling flyhitting of his partner, who caused considerable trouble for Woolston. It was. therefore, important to the latter that K Mortimer was in good form in goal, his kicking being very powerful. K. Millard did reasonably well at left-half, and G. Gourlay was better than usual. The Harewood backs. J. Bate

and L. Innes, dealt effectively with the long hits, but were less convincing under pressure from the right. R. Cockroft was Harewood's best player, his covering being outstanding, and his coolness exceptional in an environment of temperament. At centre-half D. Shepherd used the ball skilfully when it was available, but lacked the mobility to go and get it. Inability to exchange passes hampered the forwards, whose attacks were mainly solo rushes, conducted with much zeal. Goals were scored for Woolston by K. Kiernan (2), R. Gillespie (2) and B. Monk, and L. Smith and D. Shepherd scored for Harewood. Umpires: Messrs P. Beere and W. Morris. HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOVS V. UNIVERSITY University's team of understudies did not succeed in maintaining earlier form against Old Boys at Ham's wooded glades. There was much indifferent trapping, and many of the University players were guilty of unwarranted optimism in their efforts to dribble past opponents. The passing frequently belied its nomenclature, and thereby rewarded Old Boys with unexpected gifts. There was. however. much stumbling around by the winners, whose pace of advance sometimes exceeded the ability to take the ball with it. The best forwards for Old Boys were A. Patterson at inside-right and I. Armstrong at centre-forward. The former weaved and dribbled, at times most effectively, at times losing himself in the intricacies of his own patterns, and the latter positioned himself usefully, especially in the circle. T. Thomas on the left-wing often discovered that he had beaten three opponents before awareness had dawned upon the victims. The defence was seldom required, but W. Browne in his lusty manner and W. Boundy with concentration upon the ball delayed opposing advances.

For University the three inside forwards. J. Troughton, I. Bishop and J. Cahill, showed some technique, and toiled assiduously, and A. Arneson proved himself to be a stubborn defender. Goals were scored for High School Old Boys by A Patter son (21. R. P. Rogers (8) and I. Armstrong. Umpires: Messrs B. Lloyd and W. D. Sloane. WEST OLD BOVS v. TECHNICAL OLD BOVS This was a scrappy game because of technical defects in both teams, but the protagonists deserve credit for their efforts to produce constructive play. The game was very even for most of the time, and it was only in the late stages that West managed to snatch its winning margin. For West Old Boys. P. Clark was a tower of strength, making many excellent interceptions and eluding opponents over large spaces, but his passing was very erratic. He received useful support from the winghalves. W. Dukes and G. Smith. P. Oakes at inside-left led bis forwards splendidly, dribbling' with spirit and directing uie attack with the acumen of a field-marshal, and the drive of R. Thomson and A. Scott were important factors. N. Millington made some excellent saves in the Technical goal, and S. Hall operated on a broad canvas at full-back S. Crotty was ever the swift opportunist at right-half, switching the play to the opposite wing with devastating effect. S. Creagh moved well with the ball and showed enterprise on the left-wing. Goals for West Old Boys were scored by P. Oakes, P. Clark, D. Robertson and K. Feast, and S. Creagh and S. Crotty scored for Technical Old Boys. Umpires:—Messrs W. Eastlake and A. Painter. SYDENHAM V. SELWYN In a poor exposition of the arts and skills of hockey. Sydenham succeeded in inflicting defeat upon Selwyn by a very narrow margin, and the final result was due to more vigorous and lively play by the Sydenham forwards. Selwyn certainly attempted the closer passing style of game, but the lack of speed in eluding opponents by its players brought its more constructive efforts to futile conclusion. Goals for Sydenham were scored by D. Petheridge. M. Bennett and C. Woods, and W. Burtt and R. Thomas scored for Selwyn. , Umpires:—Messrs J. Donkin and A. D. Holland.