University Wins Men’s Hockey Championship

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31441, 7 August 1967, Page 14

University Wins Men’s Hockey Championship

University made its men’s hockey title secure with a substantial win against Linwood Old Boys and its points margin was increased when Hagley Old Boys was held to a draw in the final round of matches on Saturday.

University is probably the youngest team ever to gain championship honours, but it has deserved its success because it has played the most skilful and constructive hockey of all the teams throughout the season. It has developed sufficient balance to be able to attack on both flanks and through the centre, it has presented a closely organised defence, and In Its creation ot counterattack its close-passing methods have been supplemented by speed. The runners-up, Hagley Old Boys, have presented as stout a defence, proving a difficult team to beat, but their attacking range has been limited. Results were:— University 6, Unweed Old Boys 2. Hagley Old Boys 2, Harewood 2. High School Old Boys 2. Woolston 1. Selwyn 2. Sydenham 2. Competition points, with goals for and against in parenthesis, are:—University 12$ (49-12), Hagley Old Boys 11 (27-11), Harewood 9 (31-19), High School Old Boys 8| (31-29), Woolston 7J (18-17), Selwyn 4 (18-40), Unwood Old Boys 2i (13-37), Sydenham 1 (13-44). UNIVSRSITY WIHS Although lacking some certainty of touch on a bumpy ground, University proclaimed in terms of speed, determination, dribbling ability and close co-operation a refusal to countenance any suggestion of an upset to its championship chances. Its half-line was both depleted and made somewhat tentative by injury, but Linwood was also handicapped by the absence of several regular players. Linwood played with spirit, and strongly disputed many University moves. It showed quickness in seizing upon its opponent’s errors, and it succeeded in launching a considerable number of counter-attacks.

For Linwood, I. Stanton and A. Chesney made innumerable Interceptions and were easily the moot impressive of the defenders, and L. Hutchison at inside-right dribbled elusively and swiftly, showing creditable development in his ball control. He was ably supported by M. Lumsden, whose output of energy made him both a forward and a half-back.

The University backs, C. Ineson and B. Turner, used their stick-work coolly and often with impunity, and co-operated neatly with a rather subdued

S. M.icter at centr.-half. Although the forwards often erred, there were many times when they moved with an authority which Linwood was quite unable to contain. I. Bishop dribbled closely through mates of opponents on the right-wing, and T. Crossen on the opposite flank sped successfully over vast distances. The dribbling of J. Christensen and J. Borren committed many opponents to vacating covering positions, and B. Malster was deadly in open spaces in the circle. Goals were scored for University by B. Maister <3), Turner (2) and Borren and Chesney and Lumsden scored for Linwood Old Boys. Umpires: Messrs B. Lloyd and L. Lloyd. CLOU MATCH This game was slightly in Sydenham's favour in the flrst half, when Selwyn penalised Itself by poor trapping. Thereafter Selwyn gradually gained an ascendancy, overhauled the lead which its opponents had established, and very nearly won the match.

For Selwyn, A. Abernethy played safely at right-back, and the halves, J. Paterson, K. Mason and A. Waters, in the second half checked the Sydenham forwards repeatedly and fed their own vanguard profitably. C. Moore made some neat dribbles on the right-wing, and W. Burtt established a fruitful link with his inside forwards from the left. K. Cherry was in better form at Inside-right, and his determined dribbling proved to be a most unpleasant probe for the Sydenham defence. 1. Hill showed some versatility at centre-forward, and the team as a whole achieved a greater degree of combination on attack than was the case in the earlier part of the season.

For Sydenham D. Petherbridge and R. Woods gained much ground on attack, and they were well supported at times by C. Nimmo and C. Woods. The halves, M. Bennett and B. Fergus, Intercepted and passed well in the flrst half, and defended stoutly when the pressure was increased. The tackling and blocking ot the backs, A. Kirwan and G. Reid, also helped to save Sydenham, which has had to be content this season with two drawn games as its only measuro of success. Nimmo and Petherbridge scored for Sydenham, and C. Hill and Mason for Selwyn. Umpires: Messrs B. Lloyd and T.Gilllver. DRAWN CAM! For much of the time HareHarewood gave th. impression of some indifforonco as to the final result, but after Hagley gained a lead of two goals in the second half Harewood emerged from its somnolence, attacked with zest, wrested the initially, from opponent, who sought somewhat ineffectively to rest upon their laurels, and forced a creditable draw. Although the trapping in both teams was good, the passing was so indifferent that the standard of play seldom rose above mediocrity. For Baglay N. Llttl. was a rcliabl. goalk«ep.r, and th. backs, D. Robertson and P. E.

Clarke, played soundly. The halves were not impressive but R. Smith did contribute some valuable covering of his backs from the left. On the right flank W. Thomson and R. Thomson trod a stately measure, their dribbling being elusive but studied.

Some lit. was injected Into the forward line by P. F. Clark at inside-left. The Harewood backs, J. Bate and B. Clark, were often beaten by the Thomson brothers, but were afforded ample time in which to return to base. Once again G. Haste and G. Baldwin in the half-line, were the best players in their team by reason of their timely Interceptions and their passing, whose quality transcended the general average. Goals for Harewood were scored by W. Thomson and R. Thomson. K. Kiernan scored twice for Hagley. Umpire.: Messrs K. Mortimer and K. Pitts.

OLD BOYS WIN Old Boys had much th. better of the play, but poor passing in and near the Woolston circle limited their reward. Woolston’s lack of strength was emphasised by the long periods in which events were confined to its twenty-five yard area. The Old Boys’ defence was not severely tested, and G. Marshall, at left-half, and D. Warren, at left-back, were in adequate form whenever required. The most constructive forward was T. Burrows at inside-left, and T. Thomas and G. Rothwell on the wings made many threatening runs, but E. Barnes and R. Bailey were well below form, especially in their circle P1 For Woolston, R. Fuller, In goal, was in a more inspired mood, making many good saves. Inevitably the defensive burden fell upon R. Campbell and R. Gillespie, and they responded efficiently. There was also some development in the play of C. Cox, at centre-half, who emerged at times from melees with the ball. The only forwards capable of achieving any inroads in the Old Boys defence were N. Hobson and B. Aldridge. Goals for High School Old Boys were scored by Thomas and Patterson, and Aldridge scored for Woolston. Umpires: Messrs P. Clark and D. Lloyd.