Hagley’s Lead Strengthened

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31120, 25 July 1966, Page 14

Hagley’s Lead Strengthened

With both matches drawn in the major division of the Canterbury senior hockey competition on Saturday, there was no change in championship points, but with only two rounds left the lead of Hagley Old Boys has been further strengthened.

A win to High School Old Boys in the minor section assured them of the Taylor Trophy, and reduced the remaining matches to formal engagements. Results:—. SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP Haglay 0.8. 2, Woolston A On I varsity 1, Hartwood 1. TAYLOR TROPHY H.S.O.R. 3, Selwyn 1. Sy dan ham 1, Woolston B 0. Points.—Senior Championship: Hagley Hl, Woolston A 10, University 94, Harewood 94. Taylor Trophy: H. 5.0.8. 9. Sydenham 6. Selwyn 4, Woolston B i. HAGLEY V. WOOLSTON A In the early stages and against the general run of play Woolston made several lightning raids and snatched two goals, which engendered sufficient spirit and confidence for Woolston to gain some degree of control. After half-time Wootaton’s performance appeared to be devoid of policy, and indifferent play by its half-Mne allowed the Hagley forwards to exert and sustain such pressure that it was able to save the match, mainly through the agency of Me centre-half, K. Thomson, who scored one goal from a clean, well-placed penalty corner hit and another after a splendid dribble in the inaide-right position which culminated in a devastating shot from fairly close range.

Between the scoring of these goate he suffered a broken Anger, and he left the field after the second one with hla insig-

m’.a stamped firmly upon the match. In fact, his injury may have saved Woolston from defeat.

N. Little made several fine saves in the Hagley goal, and D. Robertson, the left-back, covered so well that his defensive play was a monument to mobility and soundness, although he was occasionally troubled by the elusive dribbling of B. Judge. Peter Clark trapped, tackled, Intercepted and passed with determination and purpose in the half-line, and also covered most effectively. A somnambulistic performance by R. Thomson on the right-wing reduced the forward Mme to four but there was partial compensation in the efforts of his partner, W. Thomson. who dribbled cleverly, ably controlled the ball, and slipped short passes with some subtlety through the interstices of the Woolston defence. Paul Clark at inside-left was often an additional half-back, and he and his partner, K. Fletcher, made a number of threatening excursions to the vicinity of the opposing circle.

Although R. Gillespie and C. Cox made some neat passes when they had possession of the ball, the half-line could not contain the Hagley forwards, and the brunt of the defensive play was borne by .1. Abrams, whose tackling and clearing were fierce and effective. Without him Woolston would have been overwhelmed.

Part of Wools-ton’s failure In the second half was due to Ms inability to institute right flank attacks designed to provide the remaining forwards with opportunities in and near the circle. Too often N. Hobson and B. Judge received the ball in difficult situations, and when they did make headway they tended to dally with it. Both bad shown penetrative .ability in the first half, and both were subjected to closer marking thereafter.

P. Bygrave and B. Aldridge were obliged to indulge tn much foraging for themselves. This they accomplished well enough, but they would have been more effective with a better service. The two goals for Woolston were scored by B. Aldridge, the second being a particularly fine effort after a clever break by Judge.

Umpfree: Dr. L. McH. Berry and Mr M. R. Good.

UNIVERSITY v. HAREWOOD One goal to each team was a fair reflection of the proceedings at half-time, although quicker passing from defence by University might have lightened its burden. Thereafter it played the more skilful hockey and applied by far the greater pressure, although several swift breaks by Harewood forwards from positions dangerously close to offside compelled several goal-line saves by R. McHarg, D. Wilshere and C. Ineson. The latter's trapping, blocking and eluding were good, but his passing was at times beset by desperation. Harewood's covering on defence was admirable, but less creditable was its cancellation of the left-side tackle rule, and Its vigorous Interference with the implements of its opponents made the tactic literally slapstick. presenting an impediment to University’s advance by hook and by crook. The tackling of J. Bate and L. Innes was determined and effective, and both took full advantage of some loose passing and trapping in the University forward line. The Harewood halves were reduced to a spoiling role, so that their forwards had to indulge in much back-tackling, and the speed of C. Broadhurst and D. Stanton to the loose ball was an asset. D. Lloyd dribbled a great deal, and L. Smith performed his back-tackling surgery with much zeal. Good positional play, sure trapping, swift, eluding and constructive passing made M Mikhelson on the left the best half on the field, and S. Malster In the centre, demonstrating similar qualities, was not far behind him, although swamped at times by a deluge of bodies. The determination of T. Crossen on the right-wing almost won •heS*me, some of hrle dribbles leaving several opponents Poping wildly. In the centre. Meister scored an excellent goal from one of his centre passes, but bis uncertain trapping made his contribution erratic, a weakness discernible In the remaining forwards, each of whom showed good stickwork at times and some leek of control in vital situations In the Harewood circle. by H ” e wXn. g 0” W ” • C,>re<, and m^ r uord MeW ’ K - H. 5.0.8. V. SRLWYN half to hold Old Boys, presenting a determined defence and

seizing upon opportunity to develop attacks against opponents who were prone to more error than usual. Moved to the need for improvement by the deficit of one goal. Old Bovs gained the Initiative thereafte'r. and by general domination of the midfield play launched Innumerable attacks whose persistence made goals Inevitable. The Old Boys defence was seldom under pressure, but better positioning by D. Warren at left-half would have prevented Selwyn from escaping as often as it did. In the centre E. Barnes trapped well, but the time he consumed in feinting with the ball helped the opposing defence to organise. There was Improvement in the passing of T. Burrows at In-side-right, but the meanderlngs of R. Bailey frequently left him without a target. A. Patterson was the best of the forwards, dribbling neatly and distributing the ball Intelligently. The Selwyn defence was based on the sound blocking of Its goalkeeper, J. Monk, the determined tackling of A. Abernethv, the right-back, the general skill of B. Turner, his partner, and the accumulation of eight others who presented Old Bovs with a complicated obstacle course. Goals were scored for H. 5.0.8. by T. Thomas. A. Patterson .and T. Burrows, and A. Waters scored for Selwyn. Umpires: Messrs P. Chant and K. Pitt. SYDENHAM V. WOOLSTON B i The Sydenham halves and tbacks possessed sufficient maturity to contain the Woolston forwards, and the general pattern of the game was a series of sorties by the Sydenham forwards against numerous enthusiastic defenders. The young Woolston team has served a difficult apprenticeship on defence for most of the season, and It held a strangely lethargic opposition at bay for a long time. The trapping and passing of M. McKinnon set an example which was largely ignored, but Sydenham deserved its narrowwin because of Its territorial advantage. For Woolston, R. Campbell showed ability in trapping, eluding and passing, his cool technique often calming the pandemonium which raged around him. Sydenham's goal was scored by C. Woods. Umpires: Messrs D. Warren and T. GUtlver.