University And Harewood Unbeaten In Hockey

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31677, 13 May 1968, Page 15

University And Harewood Unbeaten In Hockey

In the fifth round of the Canterbury Hockey Association’s senior competition, on Saturday, University took the lead from Harewood which was rather fortunate in holding Hagley Old Boys to a draw. Both University and Harewood are unbeaten, and they will meet in the next round.

Sydenham gained Its first success of the season, and High School Old Boys' experienced considerable difficulty in overcoming Selwyn. Results:— Hsrawoad 1, Hagley D.B. L Unl**r*lty 7, W«*l*t«R 3. H. 5.0.8. 2. Selwyn 0. Sydanham 4. Linwood O.E. «. Competition point*, with goals for and agalnat: University 5 (314), Harewood 4) (12-8), Hagley did Boy* 3) (16-5), High School Old Boy* 3 (7-9). Selwyn 2) (8-11), Sydenham 1 (8-19). Woolston ) (10-30), Linwood Old Boy* 0 (3-18). Harewood ». Hagley Although Harewood led early after a misunderstanding in the Hagley dafenee when C. Broadhurst took swift advantage. Hagley played more constructively throughout the first half. It overtook Harewood'* score through the agency of It* centreforward, S. Crotty, but for part at the second spell play was fairly even. Hagley then threatened to resume Its earlier initiative, but Harewood managed to avoid defeat, partly by use of the side-line. K. Thomson, at eentro-half for Hagley. produced many attacks by his forwards, of whom R. Thomson and W. Thomson on the right Sank by inleUigent combination and penetrative dribbling were a constant menace. However, they were not adequately supported in the the circle, and this cost Hagley a win. At inside-left Paul Clark’s back-tackling wa* of

f retter value than his attackng play, and K. Fletcher saw little Of the ball. On defence D. Robertson and G. Smith were K. Thomson’s most effective allies, and N. Little made good saves in goal. For Harowoed S. Cranfield in goal blocked a number of shots, and J. Bate at right-back repelled many attacks. G. Haste st eentre-half intercepted cleanly and the experience of G. Baldwin on the left showed when he thwarted many Hagley thrusts. Th* inside-rlaht, D. Stanton, was the most Imaginative forward, his passing promoting a number of raids. K. Kiernan at Inside-left was th* most prominent of the other forwards. The match wa* marred by a certain amount of body play, and tn It* closing stages W. Thomson was the victim of whit appeared to be an unprovoked, vicious attack.

Umpires: Messrs D. Lloyd and W. Morris.

University v. Woolston In one of its best performances of the season University moved the ball with bewildering speed, and the forwards with excellent stickwork and deft exchanges repeatedly wormed their way through a heavily populated defence. They received fine support from their halves, of whom they made Sood use with back-passing, and le close combination of so many players gave University prolonged possession of the ball. Woolston courageously counter-attacked whenever it could.

The dribbling of H. Kerrigan and B. Aldridge was determined and thrustful. of sufficient quality te compel th* University backs. E. Holstein end C. Ineson, to produce their best form of the season. Aldridge bscktackled tirelessly. On University’s right flank, M. Thomson and J. Christensen encountered problem* caused by N. Hobson’s role a* an extra half-back, aad the stickwork at ail three in many duels ws* admirable. Christensen's sudden changes of direction and hi* Infield breaks often defeated Woolston and the considerable abilities of B. Meister and J. Borren gave Mm quick support. At centre-half S. Maister was as skilful and affective a* his forwards, whom he fed liberally and Intelligently. I. Bishop and J. Grainger in their respective position* an tM left played well. Goal* wen scored for University by S. Meister (3) from penalty stroke*, M. ThomMn (2), J. Christensen and J. Borren, and H. Kerrigan acored vwlo* for Woolston. Umpires: Messrs R. Campbell and w. Perry. H. 5.0.8. V. Selwyn This match wae rugged rather than skilful, and although th* lakue. wa* in doubt until the end, interest in it* outcome was offset by much bad hockey. Both team* were guilty of Overdribbling, and in the latter stages the tackling was most vigorous. DM Boy* deserved to win because their attacks possessed greater thrust, mainly through the enterpire* of R. Bailey at centre-forward, and because the skill and anticipation at A. Patterson at centrehalf gave them better organisation. On Selwyn’* left-wing R. Best with swift dribbling and side-stepping often posed a threat, and Selwyn might well have transferred him Infield as the game progressed. _ . At left-back for Old Boy*. G. Marshall maintained his im-

? roved form. Th* inside-left, . Wall, frequently filched the ball with swift and tireless back-tackling, but seldom received tt to advantage In the late phase of attack, and T. Thomas was below form in his trapping. E. Barnes st insideright marred his passing and dribbling by body feinting which caused Mm to take the eye off the ball. The Selwyn custodian, J. Monk, was in aggressive mood in clearing the goal-mouth, and the mobility of A. Abernethy at left-back gretaly helped the defence. A. Waters at insideloft was Industrious and unselfish, and the best of the forwards in ball distribution. I. Brown In the centre made ground with dribbling, but he often travelled too far for an effective pass to be possible. E. Barnes scored tor High School Old Boys.

Umpires: Messrs R. Campbell and D. Horman. Sydenham v. Linwood Playing the more sophisticated hockey and achieving better combination. Sydenham comfortably beat Linwood, whose occasional attacks were limited to solo dribble* and expired In weak passe* offering essy interception. The Sydenham right flank pair, C. Nlmmo and D. Wood, combined well, and C. Woods at centre-forward was übiquitous and durable. On the left D. Petheridge dribbled neatly, and his partner. B. Trethewey, expended energy lavishly and to useful puropse. The covering, trapping, tackling and passing of R. Fergus at full-back were the basis of the defence, and M. McKinnon st centre-half gave his forward* a good service with his accurate passing. In the first half the Linwood defence suffered from weak tackling. Strengthened later by reinforcements from the forward line, it lacked the ball control to develop and promote counter-attack. Goals for Sydenham wer* scored by D. Wood (2), C. Woods, and B. TreMessrs T. GilHver and D. Holland.