HOCKEY Woolston Takes Lead Off Old Boys

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30443, 18 May 1964, Page 8

HOCKEY Woolston Takes Lead Off Old Boys

The fourth round of the Canterbury Hockey Association’s senior competition on Saturday was notable for the clash between the two unbeaten teams, Woolston and High School Old Boys. Woolston won decisively and deservedly.

.University made some return to grace in beating Harewood after an even struggle, and Selwyn gained its first point of the season. Overhead conditions were good, and the grounds were firm but bumpy.

Results were:— Woolston 3, High School Old Boys 1. University 4, Harewood 2. West Old. Boys 2, Sydenham Selwyn 2, Technical. Old Boys 1.

Competition points are:— Woolston 4, West Old Boys 3, High School Old Boys 3, University 3, Harewood 1, Selwyn 1, Sj'denham 1, Technical Old Boys 0. Superior Halves The match between Woolston and High School Old Boys was characterised by many customary aspects of former clashes between these two teams—vigorous hitting, many interceptions of hurried passes, speed at the expense of pattern, and stern bustling. Howeyer, discernible ih this motley mixture were the spperiorlty of the w.oolston half-line over the Old Boys’ half-line, the relatively leisurely passage of the Wools, ton backs, J. Abrams and B. Winks, as a result of the long clearing hits and clumsy crossfield passes of their opponents, and the opportunism, determination, and dribbling ability of B. Judge on Woolston’s right wing. He could not have selected a more important club fixture to return to the virtues of close stickwork, his display being far in advance of that of any other forward on the field and productive of the gaols which settled the verdict long before the match ended.

Woolston’s centre-half, R. Gillespie, was a sound defender but more subdued than usual on attack, and the wing-halves, P. Sutherland and K. Millard, maintained a grim watch and ward over the opposing wing forwards. At inside-right N. Hobson fulfilled the role of Judge’s advocate most effectively and helped his defence tirelessly, and K. Kiernan distributed the .play unselfishly from centre-forward. On the left wing, G. Gourlay often reminded the Old Boys defence of his speed and brought it little comfort.

For the most part W. Browne was as obstinate as ever in Old Boys defence, though sorely tried whenever Judge struck, and T. Iggo, his partner, was the best back on the ground and the most prominent of the Old Boys players. His trapping was sound, his stickwork elusive, and his passing accurate and controlled. He judged his tackles admirably, and set a good • example by his coolness. J. Kiddey and A. Patterson were the best of the forwards, whose passing was weak, but some improvement late ih the game developed a number of sharp attacks which brought one goal and enabled Old Boys to die defiantly. The Woolston goals were scored by B. Judge, K. Kiernan and N. Hobson, and G. Judge scored for High School Old Boys. Umpires: Messrs W. Morris and A. Holland. University Renascent After its nadir against Sydenham, University’s process of rehabilitation was marked by an emotional rather than a technical advance when it defeated Harewood after experiencing many anxious moments. The team played with greater liveliness and determination, but its passing continued to be deployable, and its forwards were still obsessed with a mania for dribbling. It gave the impression of having adopted D. Shepherd, the Harewood centrehalf, so liberally did it feed him, but the good use which he made of such generosity sug--gested that he preferred to play for Harewood. A more resolute and close defence rescued University from the toils which it assisted to contrive for itself. The best feature of the winner’s performance was the improved form of D. Wilshere at right-back, who trapped, tackled, eluded, and passed with success, M. Mikhelson at left-half, who blocked Harewood’s advance on the right time and again and covered I resolutely, and K. Carpenter at ! right-half, who moved with more assurance, some considerable skill, and much determination. At left-back, C. ineson showed signs of ability and S. Maister, at centre-half, responded skilfully to the constant pressure to which he was subjected, although his passing was rather erratic. That University’s goals came from its right flank was of little concern to the team, which appeared to prefer more devious routes which were, heavily and suc- , cessfully ambusbed. However, the dribbling ability of K. Thomson, T. Crossen; and R. Best did make headway at times, perhaps because of the constant practice which they gave to tt, and in. the later I stages C. Dale on the right- , wing escaped fropi the custody I of his doubts and hesitations j and plundered the ■ Harewood circle most opportunely for his team. Although in arrears almost

from the start Harewood never abandoned the struggle and came closer to saving the game than the final score' would suggest. The tackling of J. Bate a "<* L. Innes, combined with their good covering and the timely intervention of G. Bald, win, picked off the opposing raiders one by one, and D. Shepherd’s refusal to act as University’s fifth column sorely troubled his opponents. He trapped their passes and thus annihilated their attacks with an abrupt finality. The Harewood forwards passed well enough at times, but were not consistent enough in this requirement to make up the leeway, the best of them being D. Stanton at inside-right and H. Kerrigan at eentre-forward. Goals were scored for University by K. Thomson (2), T. Crossen and C. Dale, and D. Lloyd and H. Kerrigan scored for Harewood. Umpires: Messrs W. Morris and A. Holland. Hectic Climax West Old Boys gained a narrow victory over Sydenham in a match which ended in a flurry of violence as frantic forwards foundered on a grim West defence. West’s reliance on Its right-flank attack and its ability to check the Sydenham right flank through the able efforts of its left-half, G. Smith, were the chief agents of its triumph. For West N. Little was again a rock of frustration to the opposing forwards, making many good saves in goal, and the backs, D. Hamilton and R. Elliott, played with more purpose and showed greater speed to the ball. Smith received some support in the half-line from K. Abrams, who was in better form, although his trapping was rather erratic. At inside-left P. Clark was in bustling mood, and A.. Scott reproduced his former dash on the wing when given the opportunity. W. Thomson at inside-right was the best forward on the ground, and.his ability to hold the ball stole precious time from Sydenham in the later stages. R. Harris gave a consistent display in the Sydenham goal, and the backs, L. Lloyd and R. Rusbridge, played coolly and competently, covering a rather Indifferent half-line with an ability born of experience. C. Woods was the most impressive forward, and the back-tackling of A. Bhana was a constant source of irritation to West. The West Old Boys goals were scored by P. Clark and W. Thomson, and D. Petherldge scored for Sydenham. Umpires: Messrs D. Holland and P. Beefe. Scrappy Game The struggle between Selwyn and Technical Old Boys, at the bottom of the competition ladder, produced a very scrappy affair, in which the skills of trapping and passing severely tested most of the players. Selwyn had more of the play, and deserved to win, but the poor shooting of the forwards made its task doubly difficult. Without being exposed to too much pressure K. Cherry, the Selwyn centre-half, recovered some form, and W. Burtt, at in-side-right, was the best forward in the match, back-tackling well, dribbling 1 efficiently and with speed, and placing his passes with a greater degree of accuracy. In Technical’s rather disorganised ranks three players were prominent for skilful endeavour. S. Hall tackled resoIqtely at right-back, eluded opponents neatly, and took care with his passes, S. Crotty at right-half covered well on defence and made many invaluable interceptions, and I. Parker at. centre-forward was again an elusive dribbler who plagued the Selwyn defence In the aggressive tradition of the Goths and Vandals, and cleverly scored his team’s goal. The Selwyn goals were scored by W. Burtt.

Umpires: Messrs P. Beere and W. Perry.

Lower Grade Results

.Senior Reserve.—Woolston 4, Sydenham .1; Technical 3, Wigram 2. . Second A Grade. Linwood H.S. 3. B.H.S. 3; Woolston «, Selwyn 3. Second Grade 8.—8.H.5. beat Christs College by default. Sydenham 3, Shirley B.H.S. 7; Harewood 7, Emulous 0; Technical 4, Papanui H.S. 0. Third Grade.—Selwyn 8, Rangiora 0.8. 1; Linwood H.S. 5, West 0.8. 4; Varsity 13, Technical 0.

Fourth Grade.—New Brighton 8, Technical 1; Sydenham A 6, Hornby 2; Burnside H.S. 6, Kaiapol 4. Fifth Grade.—Harewood beat Christ’s College by default; Hornby beat Technical by default; H. 5.0.8. 4, New Brighton 1; Sydenham 8, Varsity 1. Under 14.—Woolston A 13, Woolston B 0; B.H.S. 21, Sydenham B 0; Sydenham A 16, Harewood 1.