Taylor Trophy Games In Men’s Hockey

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31363, 8 May 1967, Page 17

Taylor Trophy Games In Men’s Hockey

The eight senior club teams were engaged in matches of a subsidiary nature for the Taylor Trophy on Saturday, when senior championship games were postponed. Some of Canterbury’s leading players were absent, undergoing preparation for the tests against Australia later in the season and for the restoration of New Zealand’s international image.

For this reason the Canterbury Hockey Association’s decision that the senior championship should continue to be a contest amongst teams at full strength is a wise affirmation of the need to enhance the status and elevate the standard of club hockey throughout New Zealand.

The results of Saturday’s matches clearly demonstrated the disorganising effect upon the leading teams caused by the withdrawal of a large nucleus of players. In the meantime the situation in the local championship remains unchanged. Results of the Taylor Trophy games were:— Sydenham 2, Hagley 0.8. 1. High School 0.8. 3, Selwyn Harewood 4, Linwood 0.8. 1. Woolston 1, University 0. Hagley Fail

A desultory display by Hagley, which foundered through lack of leadership and policy, allowed Sydenham to establish for long periods an otherwise undeserved initiative. The failure of the Hagley forwards to back-tackle consistently afforded Sydenham time and space, both of which were used to exert sustained pressure. In these circumstances good play by N. Little in the Hagley goal and D. Robertson at leftback, although frustrating to Sydenham, could not prevent the winning goals. Little’s solidity was clearly demonstrated, and Robertson, in a display of mobility, clean trapping good tackling and sound passing, atoned often for the errors of sundry colleagues, of whom P. Clark at centre-half was in indifferent form, and G. Smith on the left was for much of the time too far infield. Hagley’s right flank seldom functioned; it appeared to be overcome by lassitude. M. McKinnon returned to Sydenham’s ranks at left-half, greatly strengthening the defence and proving himself his team’s most skilful member. L. Lloyd and M. Bennett also defended well, and the best of the forwards was D. Petherbridge, whose neat dribbling gave leadership and thrust to the Sydenham attack. There was increased determination and co-operation in Sydenham’s ranks, whose equanimity S. Crotty alone, by dint of honest effort, seemed able to disturb. Sydenham’s goals were scored by D. Petherbridge and M. Bennett, and R. Thomson scored for Hagley Old Boys. Umpires: Mr R. Campbell and Dr. L. McH. Berry. Below Strength Decimated by absentees, University resisted strongly, and might have gained a winning lead with better play near the circle in the first half. Thereafter Woolston pinned University for long periods to its defensive left-flank, which stubbornly repulsed many raids but was unable to create counter-attack. This sustained pressure brought the only goal of the match from a most untidy long corner, the . ball richocheting from stick to stick on a tortuous path suggestive of miniature golf. Woolston improved upon previous form, partly because the younger forwards played with more zest and partly because the switching of B. Aldridge to inside-left allowed him greater scope in assisting the defence

and In making many determined probes which drove University back towards its left-hand corner. However, the experience of R. GiHesipde at right-half and J. Abrahams at left-back was still the major factor in holding Woolston together. Without their strong tackling, quick clearing and general anticipation, University would have won. University's attack was almost reduced to the dribbling of J. Borren at inside-right. He moved skilfully, sometimes threatened complete penetration, and was on occasion obstructed blatantly. I. Bishop at insideleft rendered good support, being especially valuable in taking some pressure off the left defence.

R. McHarg again played capably in the goal, and B. Turner at right-back was the best player on the field. His trapping and tackling were clean and safe, he eluded those who rushed with close control, and he passed accurately whenever others bothered to make themselves available. There were occasions when the covering of C. Ineson was invaluable. Seldom did the proceedings suggest a senior standard. Umpires: Messrs B. Lloyd and E. Thomas.

Score Flatters In a match which was closer than the scores indicated, Harewood won because of faster passing which made interception more difficult. Conversely, Harewood was able to cut off many slow Linwood passes, although it was often sorely troubled by Linwood’s breaks on the right flank. Weak goalkeeping proved costly for Linwood. Two splendid saves in the Harewood goal had some bearing on the final result, and reflected the development in the play of S. Cranfield. At left-back E. Clarke gave a much improved display, and the righthalf, G. Baldwin, nonchalantly disposed of Linwood’s left flank. Harewood’s best forward was P. Bygrave at inside-left. He used the pass to the right sensibly and gave considerable impetus to the attack with his dribbling. On the right flank, D. Stanton and C. Broadhurst combined well, and the swift breaks of Broadhurst, with or without the ball, produced panic in Linwood’s ranks. A. Chesney was again prominent in defence for Linwood, receiving useful support from I. Stanton, who played his best game to date. M. Lumsden at inside-right and L. Hutchison at right-wing were Linwood’s best players. Their combination in producing Hutchison’s infield breaks was the feature of the match, and from one of these was scored the best goal of the year. Lumsden’s *”«pping was outstanding. T'lerci was merit in the conscientious toil of C. Bhana at centre-forward. Harewood’s goals were scored by G. Baldwin (2), P. Bygrave and D. Stanton, and L. Hutchison scored for Linwood. Umpires: Messrs D. Holland and W. Perry.

Mediocre Game Rather more negative than positive factors determined the outcome of this somewhat mediocre engagement. Although confronted by a weak defence the Selwyn forwards passed badly, and they received a poor service from their own halves and backs, with the result that they had to do much foraging for themselves.

The Old Boys forwards enjoyed a much more prolific supply, mainly because of the midfield control exerted by their centre-half, E. Barnes. They were also allowed too much space between the Selwyn defensive waM and the goalmouth. Selwyn must organise a deeper defensive pattern. The trapping and passing of C. Francis at right-half for Old Boys made him the most effective assistant to Barnes, who was certainly the best player on

the field. His stickwork was closer than that of any other contestant, and his passing at least discernible. / On the right-wing G. Rothwell improvised in the tradition of James Joyce, but his partner, T. Burrows, was patchy. At his best he provided the main threat to Selwyn. R. Bailey in the centre made some strenuous solo thrusts which died des* perately, and T. Thomas might have made greater headway on the other wing. For Selwyn J. Monk was somewhat ill-at-ease in goal. The backs were too venturesome, but A. Abernethy, together with A. Waters in the half-line, was the best of the defence. K. Cherry and R. Stringfellow made some good runs on the right flank, one of them producing Sejwyn’s goal, and the back-tackling of W. Burtt, supplemented by his stickwork, lent a touch of culture to Selwyn oft times. Goal were scored for High School Old Boys by E. Barnes (2), and T. Burrows, and K. Cherry scored for Selwyn. Umpires: Messrs W. Morris and K. Mortimer.