Grounds Bumpy For Fourth Hockey Round

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31755, 12 August 1968, Page 10

Grounds Bumpy For Fourth Hockey Round

The fourth round of lhe subsidiary competition for the Taylor hockey trophy was played on Saturday in excellent weather, but the grounds, although firm, were bumpy.

Results were: University 4, Selwyn 0. H. 5.0.8. 3, Woolston 2. Linwood 0.8. 0, Sydenham 0.

Harewood 3, Hagiey 0.8. 0. Competition points are: University 3, High Schoo) Old Boys 3, Harewood 2|, Woolston 2, Sydenham 2, Linwood Old Boys Selwyn 1, Hagley Old Boys 1.

University v. Selwyn University immediately clamped Selwyn in a vice from which it never escaped. University was clearly superior in trapping, stickwork, passing and movement off the ball, and its winning margin might easily have been doubled. The swift raids on the right flank of J. H. Christensen and Thomson gave Selwyn no rest, and the harassing of A. Borren in the centre frequently frustrated efforts to counter-attack. B. Maister at inside-left gave useful midfield support, but his through passes were often inaccurately angled. These forwards received adequate support from a lively half-line comprising E. Holstein, S. G. Maister and I. Bishop, and the backs. R. Campbell and C. Ineson. abruptly checked Selwyn raids with strong tackling and sensible covering of each other.

In straitened circumstances the defence of J. Monk in goal. A, Abernethy at left-back and K. Mason at left-half served Selwyn well. In the centre S. Palmer managed to feed his forwards on several occasions, but their woeful lack of combination and stickwork was all too evident. R. Best was the one exception, his elusive dribbling denying University an early recovery of the ball. Goals were scored for University by A. Borren (2), M. Thomson and B. J. Maister.

Umpires: Messrs R. Phipps and W. Perry.

Linwood 0.8. v. Sydenham Play was scrappy and indecisive throughout, the standard of the trapping and passing being weak. Sydenham had the belter of the stumbling progressions, but both sets of forwards required radar equipment and several light years of time for their shooting. The failure of the game to produce any goals was its own summary. For Linwood E. Ganda strengthened the goal-keeping, and I. Stanton at left-back used the ball well. A. Best in the centre gave some stability to the halfline, in which P. Bhana on the right used his stickwork to advantage and was quick to the ball. M. Scott made a few fortuitous breaks at centre-for-ward.

Apart from rushing their tackles at times the Sydenham backs, R. Fergus and R. Kirwan. experienced little difficulty in containing the opposing forwards, and K. Cumberpatch was the most constructive of the halves whenever he had sufficient time to use the ball. The Sydenham forwards worked Independently of each other, and the energy of B. Tretheway was the most commendable feature of their efforts. Umpires: Messrs W. Perry and T. Gilliver. Harewood v. Hagiey 0.8. Harewood could not help but win against the somewhat flippant attitude of Hagiey towards the match. The Hagiey players experimented with positions, their permutations and combinations giving an impression of a form of maze marching. N. Little in goal made some serious saves for Hagiey and the Clark brothers, Peter and Paul, gave some conscientious attention to the formalities. For Harewood C. Broadhurst made some rapid dribbles on the right-wing, and his partner, D. Stanton, was in good form in linking, dribbling and passing. G. Baldwin at centre-for-ward did well enough to suggest that he was not unaccustomed to the position, and K. Kiernan supplied ample thrust at insideleft. Their efforts were neatly underlined by a pleasing display of good stickwork and creative passing by their righthalf. D. Shepherd. Goals were scored for Harewood by Broadhurst (2) and Stanton. Umpires: Dr L. M. Berry and Mr M. B. Clark. H. 5.0.8. v. Woolston Although the final score was close Old Boys maintained a lead for most of the game whose outcome was seldom in any doubt. The Old Boys foij wards were fast to the ball and showed improved combination. Useful dribbling and better passing by E. Barnes at (insideright developed many Old Boys attacks, which were increased by the fetching and carrying of T. Wall at inside-left. Their contributions afforded R. Bailey and T. Thomas scope for quick breaks, and both responded

well. At centre-half A. Paterson distributed the ball with some accuracy in a subdued role, and J. Kiddey helped the defence on the left. Another good performance by D. Stuthridgc in goal was of importance to his team's fate. For Woolston the experience and soundness of R. Gillespie were notable in defence and the goalkeeping of N. Harroway hindered Old Boys. In a withdrawn inside-left position N. Hobson eluded frantic opponents in the most congested melees and developed many attacks. The speed of G. Gourley on the left-wing gained ground for Woolston. and the determination and application of B. Aldridge made him the most probable medium for goal-scoring, of which he contributed two. The Old Boys goals were scored by Paterson. Thomas and Wall. Umpires: Messrs P. Clark and P. Clark. Ashburton v. Nelson The final of the Quatre Bras Cup competition for minor associations was deservedly won bv Ashburton, which possessed much the better combination and a more discernible ppllcy. Its forwards inter-passed with an efficiency which Nelson could not equal, and their establishment of a pattern of attack on the right flank was in marked contrast to Nelson's persistent predilection for assailing the left-hand corner flag, even from deep defensive positions. In the second half Nelson s efforts to save the game produced some frantic charges through the centre, but their nature depended heavily upon errors by the Ashburton defence. which proved unobliging. D. Honey at inside-right dribbled well and led many Ashburton raids, and L. Keenan at inside-left back-tackled well, eluded opponents with sensible stickwork and switched the play disconcertingly. P. Cox at right-back was by far the most constructive player for Nelson, and he emerged with credit from many difficult situations caused by the amount of covering of his left field defenders which was required of him. At centre-forward A. Paris charged gallantly, often not wisely but too well, disap-

pearing into the embrace of a smothering defence. He scored Nelson's goal late in the game, and W. Doak scored twice for Ashburton from penalty corn ers. Umpires: Messrs D. Lloyd and E. Ambler.