University Wins Hockey Title

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31767, 26 August 1968, Page 6

University Wins Hockey Title

University, which had already assured itself of the championship, maintained its substantial lead in points when it beat Hagley Old Boys, 2-1, in the main match of the fourteenth and final round of the Canterbury Hockey Association's senior competition on Saturday. The match was played at Williamson Park, where the surface was in good condition. Hagley hardly deserved to lose, because it applied the greater pressure, but its goal-shooting was inaccurate, and in this aspect University was more dangerous. Results were:— University 2, Hag*ly 1. Harewood 5, S*lwyn 1. H. 5.0.8. 3. Sydenham 2. Woolston 0. Linwood 0.8. 0. Final competition points, with goals for and against, are: University 13 (60-9), High School Old Boys 10J (3349), Harewood 10 (28-18), Hagley Old Boys 9 (37-17), Selwyn 5 (18-35). Sydenham 4 (19-37). Linwood Old Boys 3 (11-44), Woolston 14 (16-43). UNIVERSITY V. HAGLEY OLD BOYS So erratic was University’s trapping that it appeared at times as if there was collaboration with Hagley to ensure the latter's success. Hagley took advantage of these misdemeanours. and exerted pressure on its right flank, where University found the dribbling of W. Thomson and R. Thomson difficult to contain. Both players saw much of the ball, because of University’s predilection for coun-ter-attack on its left, where T. Crossen's speed was,the main factor in temporary relief of the many sieges. .Only in spasms did University move with the authority of its best form, but this was evident in both its goals—characterised by elusive dribbling and good passing by J. Christensen. B. Maister, J. Borren, and Crossen. Crossen scored the first and Maister the second. At right-half, E. Holstein gave some excellent passes in the first hair, and in the centre S. Maister was invaluable on defence and in sup-

port of his backs, of whom R. Campbell was the sounder in both trapping and passing. Some of University’s marking was loose, with insufficient effort to crowd the Hagley forwards. The anticipation, and general consistency, of R. McHarg in goal saved University many times.

N. Little played in similar vein as Hagley’s custodian, and the backs, Peter Clark and D. Robertson, tackled with success whenever their opponents overdribbled. The half-line—com-prising R. Smith. K. Thomson, and G. Smith—enjoyed one of its most successful matches, intercepting and trapping well, and promoting the team’s policy of attack with purpose ful persistence. Paul Clark harried University strenuously, embarrassing its right-flank progress considerably. His efforts were emphasised by the danger to Hagley whenever Christensen and M. Thomson did escape.

At centre-forward, C. Robertson showed promise, but was closely marked, and his colleagues failed to make much play for him. K. Thomson scored for Hagley Old boys from a penalty stroke. Umpires: Dr L. M. Berry and Mr R. H. Campbell. HAREWOOD V. SELWYN Moving the ball with greater freedom. Harewood was too strong and skilful for Selwyn. It presented the better defence, and its forwards achieved a combination which Selwyn could not equal, although attacking strongly enough to compel S. Cranfleld to make good saves in goal. The Harewood left-back, E. Clark, was equally safe, and in the half-line G. Haste made many jnterceptions. A. Chesney was prominent for his good tackling and reliable trapping. Basing himself upon the fetch and carry of D. Stanton at in-side-right, C. Broadhurst sped deep into Selwyn territory, giving the attack momentum. The hunting of R. Wilson in the centre proved profitable, and there was constructive play from K. Kiernan at inside-left, supplemented by a most effec-

tive game from D. Curtis on the wing. For Selwyn, R. Nickells blocked many shots in .goal and there was merit in the passing of K. Mason from fullback. The best of the halves was A. Waters. I. Hill made some useful dribbles in the second half. R. Best took Selwyn out of trouble with many weaving runs but he often lacked support and tended, therefore, to over-dribble. Goals were scored for Harewood by Broadhurst (2). Wilson <2) and Kiernan, and C. Hill scored for Selwyn. Umpires: Messrs M. McKinnon and J. Pauling. HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS V. SYDENHAM Although Old Boys appeared to be the better organised team, they were obliged to snatch their win in the dying seconds of the match. Their defence was well served by the trapping and passing of T. Iggo u n ?« G z Mars hall. At centrehalf A. Paterson indulged in much dribbling, and E. Barnes made some use th ? crve of c Caldwell on the right-wing. T. Wall’s trapping. dribbling, and passing at inside-left were valuable. . J . Bradford was in good form In the Sydenham goaf and the bg£ks, R. Fergus and A. Kirwan, were very steady. At centrehalf M. Bennett intercepted

many passe, and frequently established the play on his team's right flank.

Goals for High School Old Boys were scored by R. Ballev, T. Thomas, and Paterson. B Wood and Bennett scored for Sydenham. Umpires: Messrs K. Thomson and P. Clark. WOOLSTON v. LINWOOO OLD

OOYS Prodigious efforts by both teams produced no goal, but Woolston launched the more dangerous attacks and would have won if its forwards had shown greater skill inside the circle. Inaccurate passing enabled the respective defences to recover the ball with startling abruptness. and when they were threatened bv colo invasions lack of support for the invader allowed them adequate respite.

The tendency to operate at a speed which was too fast for the general level of skill, and for the ground conditions, militated against accuracy and combined play, with the result that the error rate waa too high, and the approach play unco ordinated. In these circumstances, defence could hardly fail to prevail, but In Linwood's casa desperate covering was required to compensate tor lapsea In trapping and tackling.

Umpires: Messrs P. B. Clark and W. Perry.