LEADING HOCKEY TEAMS DRAW FURTHER AHEAD

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31985, 12 May 1969, Page 17

LEADING HOCKEY TEAMS DRAW FURTHER AHEAD

There were clashes between the four leading teams in the fifth round of the Canterbury Hockey Association’s senior competition. The results enabled Univer•tty and High School Old Boys to draw further away from the rest of tht field. Harewopd and Hagley Old Bovs were relegated to unacusVomed positions •n the championship ladder. Results were:— University 2, Harewood 6. High School Old Boys 1. Hagley Old Boys 0. Linwood Old Boys 3. Selwyn a. Woolston 4, Sydenham 1. Competition points, with goals for and against, are: University 5 (32-3), High School Old Boys 4i (13-1). Linwood Old Boys 24 (7-12). Harewood 2 (10-8). Selwyn 2 (4-9), Hagley Old Boys 14 (8-7), Woolston 14 (8-21). Sydenham 1 (5-24). UNIVERSITY V. HAREWOOD Although depleted by the absence ox B. Maister and W. Wright, University maintained pressure for most of the match. Harewood defended strongly but was unable to prevent the three opposing inside forwards, J. Chistensen, A. Borren and J. Borren, from exposing the goal area on many occasions. Christensen’s many breaks were notable for splendid dribbling. A. Borren roved well and kept close control of the ball. J. Borren was equally elusive. His goal in the second half was a good effort, combining control, speed and balance. The University wing-halves, E. Holstein and I. Bishop, were most effective. Holstein used good stickwork to launch many attacks and Bishop almost reduced C. Broadhurst, the opposite right-wing, to the status of a spectator. Equally sound were the backs, R. Campbell and C. Ineson, who gave their

best displays to date. For Harewood, S. Cranfield made some very good saves in goal, and J. Bate’s covering was supplemented by thoughtful passing. A. Chesney halted many attacks at left-half, and G. Haste in the centre was as stubborn as ever in deep defence. „ _ . D. Stanton took the attack further at inside-right than his colleagues, but there was an inadequate deployment of forwards, partly because of the amount of defensive play which was thrust upon K. Kiernan and R. Wilson on the left flank. Both achieved some success in this phase of the play and revealed some neat, close stickwork. University’s other goal was scored by P. Ackerley, who showed promise in his first senior match. Umpires: Dr L. M. Berry and Mr E. Ambler. HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS V. HAGLEY OLD BOYS Generally play was fairly even, but High School Old Boys deserved its win because its attack gained the greater depth and were marked by better trapping and passing. Ih fact the trapping in Hagley’s forward line was mediocre, many players being too upright, and there was a marked tendency towards crowding, only partially relieved when R. Thomson moved to the right-wing. In addition, the crossfield passing from the left flank was weak, and Hagley paid out much loss of ground through failure to mark the opposing left-wing. The most constructive High School Old Boys forward was R. Mcllroy, his passing initiating many raids. The persistence with which R. Bailey hunted and harassed gave a thrust to the attack.

The crowding in the centre allowed A. Patterson to make many interceptions, but the best midfield link was T. Wall, whose energy as a fourth halfback produced much good tackling and wise use of the ball. Hagley missed the ability of K. Thomson, but was partly compensated by a sound display from D. Robertson at rightback. His partner, Paul Clarke, was equally safe, and Peter Clarke gave his forwards from centre-half a better service than they appeared to want. The best of the forwards was W. Thomson, at inside-right, although heavily marked, his ball control allowed him to escape at times. R. Mcllroy scored for High School Old Boys.

Umpires: Messrs D. Lloyd and R. H. Campbell. LINWOOD OLD BOYS v. SELWYN Although not at full strength Selwyn offered some resistance for part of the time, but found the eagerness and determination of Linwood a wearing process which exposed some lack of fitness. The Linwood forwards improved their control, penetrated more deeply than in previous matches and achieved better combination. They were well led by D. Small and M. Lumsden, with F. Harding also intruding more successfully on the scene.

The Dinwood halves, P. Bhana, A. Best and B. Bhana, used their stickwork to greater effect because of more latitude, and K. Budhia was the safer of the two backs.

Poor trapping doomed Selwyn to less of possession and attacks were spoiled, but the halt was only temporary. The only relief was afforded bv solo dribbling, of which R. Best was the most skilful exponent. Linwood’s goals were scoYed by M. Lumsden, F. Harding and D. Small.

Umpires:' Messrs W. Perry and D. Holland. WOOLSTON Y. SYDENHAM

H. Kerrigan spent much of the afternoon dropping in on Sydenham’s circle for shooting practice which proved lethal. His three goals were supplemented by one from G. Gourley. Woolston’s defence was soundly based on its backs. R. Gillespie and T. Brennan, and they and the centre-half, C. Cox. fed the forwards intelligently, establishing many counterattacks.

Sydenham’s trapping was erratic. At times it attacked with determination, but passing lacked accuracy because of the need for haste and Woolston was given too many chances for interception. D. Petherbridge scored Sydenham’s goal. Umpires: Messrs P. Clarke and E. Jackson.