University Beaten, Now Share Hockey Lead

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31381, 29 May 1967, Page 14

University Beaten, Now Share Hockey Lead

With the first full round of matches completed, University and Hagley Old Boys share the lead »in the Canterbury men’s senior hockey championship.

University has played the more constructive, the more positive and the more venturesome hockey. In attempting that which alone will elevate the standard of hockey in New Zealand, University has been prone to the errors inevitable in a team whose youthfulness is synonymous with inexperience. Woolston’s defeat of University on Saturday was a curious result, but not unpredictable. Hagley Old Boys have based themselves upon a strong defence, have sauntered through games at the low ceiling of a weak opposition, and have achieved a unity in recent matches which suggests a greater stability than any other team possesses. Results:— Woolston 1, University 0. H. 5.0.8. T, Selwyn 2. Harewood 3, Linwood 0.8. 0. Hagley 0.8. 4, Sydenham 1. Points:—university 6. Hagley 8, H. 5.0.8. 4, Harewood 4, Woolston 4, Selwyn 2. Linwood li, Sydenham i. Dominant Team In the first half, Selwyn played well enough to hold Old Boys and to achieve the greater number of attacks within the circle, but the decline thereafter was catastrophic. Old Boys dominated the midfield encounters, constructed right-flank attacks with assurance, conducted them with a competence which suggested a complete absence of resistance, and scored with the regularity of a highspeed metronome;

Even their errors In passing, productive of an impressive dossier of apologies received and filed by T, Burrows at in-side-right, were not irretrievable, so weak was the opposition. Burrows gave his wing. G. Rothwell, an excellent service, which enabled the latter to achieve his best form of the season with many devastating breaks, culminating in excellent centre passes. R. Bailey at centre-forward co-operated with this pattern most ably and also penetrated the Selwyn circle frequently with quick solo dashes. On the left-wing, T. Thomas helped himself to the centre passes with the impersonal deftness of a bank teller, and of the two players in the inside-left position, J. Kiddey was more effective than A. Patterson.

E. Barnes at centre-half and p. Warren on the left trapped and tackled successfully, and fed their forwards fruitfully. T. Iggo and C. Francis on the right also contributed considerably to the creation of counterattack.

Better passing in the first half by Selwyn allowed W, Burtt to dribble skilfully, but the disappearance of good passing handicapped him later. K. Mason at centre-half struggled stubbornly throughout, continuing with admirable resolution to feed a forward line which lost possession with an ever Increasing promptitude. Irresoluton and weak clearing by J Monk in goal were costly to Selwyn, as indicated by his pass to Bailey when the latter gratefully scored Old Boys’ fourth goal. Bailey also scored the third goal, and Warren and Patterson scored once each in the first half. Thomas terminated the tally with three in succession. W. Burtt and K. Mason scored for Selwyn. Umpires: Messrs R. Campbell and P. Chant.

Record Broken In destroying University’s unbeaten record Woolston moved into position, marked closely and tackled promptly with admirable dedication. It denied University that fluency which has been productive of the most imaginative and constructive hockey of the season, but University's struggle for integration would certainly have achieved more If it had not been subjected to illegal barging. There were occasions when University . players were harassed bodily before the ball had arrived. J. Christensen at inside-right was the most consistent victim, but few escaped. The play was so even that neither team deserved to lose, and University was unfortunate in having to concede a goal when the ball was projected into its net by the person, not the stick, of an attacker. The

more desperate remedies, utillised by Woolston were an inverted compliment to Its opponents, and a severe setback to the development of skill in hockey. University’S trapping faltered, Its passing degenerated, and Its stickwork lost functional purpose, but It emerged with dignity -and credit.

R. Fuller made some good saves in the Woolston goal, and R. Campbell played the ball as effectively as his full-back partner, J. Abrams, played the man. R. Gillespie was outstanding for Woolston. His anticipation enabled him to function successfully at right-half and to dominate his team’s defence at centre-half, where he displayed some very good stickwork. Woolston’s attack was largely B. Aldridge. He back-tackled resolutely, dribbled elusively, repaired ehecks to the attack with swift foresight, and directed the play into channels which vastly embarrassed the opposition. The trapping, eluding and covering of B. Turner at rightback and elsewhere were vital to University, and the diligence, stickwork and distribution of B. Maister at centre-forward were notable components of an excellent contribution to both attack and defence. He was always a major threat, and there were occasions when Christensen, in spite of the security checks, was an able lieutenant Umpires: Messrs D. Lloyd and E. Ambler. Best Wing Play In the first half Sydenham presented a sound defence and showed some appreciation of the development of counterattack, thereby holding Hagley fairly well, and it was only the good performance of Hagley’s right flank which established a final dominance. In this area, R. Thomson on the wing played his best game of the season, moving with speed, purpose and control, and being skilfully fed by W. Thomson, who was conscientious and durable. This pair presented some of the best flank attacks to date, forcing errors and creating scoring chances.

S. Crotty at centre-forward was very mobile in a harassing role, and K. Fletcher’s early centres were unselfish and well timed. K. Thomson, who was often a third back, repeatedly checked Sydenham attacks, and was very accurate in feeding his right flank; Additional efficiency in defence by N. Little, D. Robertson and Peter Clark made the task of the Sydenham forwards very difficult. Without being entirely consistent, J. Bradford made some good saves in Sydenham’s goal. L. Lloyd was the best defender, and his retirement through injury was a severe loss. M. Bennett at centre-half showed improvement in his positioning, cleared his circle many times, and fed his inside-right successfully. In the latter position D. Petherbridge was again the best forward, although forced

at times into over-dribblng through lack of support. C. Woods also worked consistently, especially In assisting the defence. Goals were scored for Hagley Old Boys by K. Thomson (2), S. Crotty and K. Fletcher, and M. Bennett scored for Sydenham.

Umpires: Dr. L. McH. Berry and Mr W. Perry. Pitiful Display

Harewood made Its own problems in this match because it moved at a speed with which the ball could not cope. However, there was more petulance than policy in Linwood’s pitiful display, which was partially redeemed by the improvement of R. Stanton In goal and by the labours of the backs, B. Anderson and I. Stanton, who on this occasion received little help from their halves.

L. Haste at centre-forward played well for Linwood, whose right flank Tailed to operate, because the pass missed L. Hutchison or L. Hutchison missed the pass. For Harewood, J. Bate, receiving the ball with time to spare, dealt adequately with it, and his partner, T. Clarke, was the best back on the field. The halves, G. Baldwin, G. Haste and K. Kiernan, easily contained the Linwood forwards, and C. Broadhurst on the rightwing ran and passed with good effect at times. At centreforward H. Kerrigan was in robust form with some bruising circle play, and D. Lloyd managed a number of left flank breaks. The trapping and passing of P. Bygrave was rather better than that of most other players. Harewood’s goals were scored by C. Broadhurst (2) and G. Baldwin.

Umpires: Messrs B. Lloyd and K. Pitts.