Upset In Men’s Hockey

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32359, 27 July 1970, Page 17

Upset In Men’s Hockey

University increased its lead in the senior men’s hockey competition on Saturday when previously second placed Hagley Old Boys was soundly beaten by Selwyn, 4-1. Selwyn is second to bottom on the points table.

! University won narrowly against the bottom-placed Sydenham, but the leading team, with eight regular players out, and replaced by members of the senior reserve team was still too strong for Sydenham. High School Old Boys last week beat University tor the first time in two years. This week they scored an unconvincing win over Woolston and moved into second i place on the points table, three points behind Uni- ! versity.

None of the matches produced good hockey although the Sydenham - University match provided some bright patches. Grounds in the main were bumpy and hindered controlled hockey.

Results:— University 3, Sydenham 2. High School Old Boys 1, Woolston 0. Linwood Old Boys 2, Hare-wood-Burnside 1. Selwyn 4, Hagley Old Boys 1.

Competition points, with goals for and against, are: University, 121 07-14); High School Old Boys, 9} (24-17); Hagley Old Boys, 9 (28-24); Linwood Old Boys, 6 (20-25); Woolston, 5} (19-24); Hare-wood-Burnside, 5 (14--22); Selwyn, 5 (20-24); Sydenham, 3} (19-41).

Selwyn v. Hagley Old Boys Although Hagley was without its three top players it was surprising to see Selwyn win, particularly by such a large margin. More combination from Selwyn than it had shown in previous matches and a good deal less combination than usual in the Hagley side were the main factors in Selwyn’s win. P. Clark and K. and W. Thomson were in Auckland with the Canterbury team. The loss of Clark at left back left a large gap in the defence which Hagley could not plug. K. Thomson’s influence at centre half was also missed and the inability of Hagley’s forwards to combine on attack indicated the affect W. Thomson usually has on the line. Selwyn spent about threequarters of the game on attack but it was not until the second half that it went ahead to its convincing win. It led only 1-0 at half-time. Both teams were perturbed at some of the umpiring decisions made throughout the game. Selwyn, at infrequent stages this season has played some excellent short-passing hockey. Saturday was one of these occasions and with the aid of marking which gave it plenty of latitude the Selwyn forwards dominated the game. The pairing of R. Best on the right wing and J. W. Burtt at inside ' right for Selwyn proved very satisfactory. It is unfortunate that Best is retiring from hockey as these two on the i right flank could be the basis I of an attack which would reI vitalise the Selwyn team. M. Berkley, a substitute in I the Selwyn goal, proved reliable while left back G. Jones played one of his better games. W. Gilray at left back was solid for Hagley but although he tried he was not up to the standard of Clark. R. Thomson playing at centre forward tried to get the line moving in the absence of his brother but he lacked the necessary support on attack. The half-line was not up to its usual standard with K. Thomson absent. Ritchie (2), Best and Patterson scored for Selwyn and Thomson goaled for Hagley. Umpires: Messrs W. Perry and D. Ferguson. University v. Sydenham University played the major-! ity of its senior reserve team; and these players were having; their second game of the day. l but with the aid of the three' remaining seniors, J. Borren, I. Bishop and M. Thomson, held Sydenham and eventually; scored a well-deserved win. The University defence proved ! adequate to cope with Syden-i I ham. Bishop at left half was]

outstanding, trapping and tackling well, covering the backs and halves keenly and passing intelligently. The support from the remainder of the defence was sound.

The right flank of Thomson and Borren was Sydenham’s downfall. Both dribbled well and had the Sydenham defence floundering on several occasions. They forced several penalty corners and from two of these Thomson scored.

A. Prattley made some fine saves for Sydenham but the full-backs had difficulty containing the skilful University forwards. The half line of M. Bennett, B. Trethewey and S. Kemp were the foundation of their team. They kept the forwards supplied with ample ball and covered the backs when they were in trouble.

Thomson (2) and Chetwin scored for University and Petherbridge and Trethewey netted for Sydenham. Umpires: Messrs D. Witheridge and R. Phipps. High School Old Boys v. Woolston

The Old Boys team which beat i University the previous week was hardly recognisable on Saturday and it was only in the last 10 minutes of the game that Old Boys produced reasonable hockey and scored the only goal of the match. Badly-directed passing, numerous obstructions and fly-hit-ting marred the game until the latter stages, when Old Boys took control and tested the Woolston defence several times in the last few minutes. From a penalty corner gained in one ■ of these attacks, E. Barnes scored. ■ Woolston actually had more

of the attacking play in the first spell and the forwards led well by R. Gillespie looked dangerous more than once. Gillespie almost scored early in the first half after a weaving run. The Old Boys defence at times was very casual and slow getting back to positions after supporting the forwards on attack but the defence managed to keep the Woolston forwards | out. In the second half Old Boys evened out the play but were unsuccessful with several attacks. However when they began to move the ball about in the last 10 minutes they were clearly the better team. Umpires: Messrs D. Lloyd and E. J. Gilliver. Harewood-Burnside v. Linwood Old Boys All the scoring in this match was done in the first half, with Harewood netting first. Linwood began to settle down after Harewood scored and gradually took cbntrol of the game. It came back with several attacks. Linwood kept up these attacks and gave Harewood little of. the play. In the second spell Harewood came back into the game and had the better of the play but could not score the vital goal. Harewood had the Linwood defence struggling more than once but its forwards lacked the finish necessary to score goals. Linwood full-backs K. Budhia and I. Stanton dispersed numerous attacks while the halves tackled well and distributed the ball well among the forwards. F. Harding and D. Small made some fine runs on the right. E. Clark frustrated many Linwood attempts at goal and his fellow back J. Bate gave good -support. The half line was not outstanding but carried out its work adequately. It was obvious that A. Chesney was missed at centre half as the defenders found themselves with more work. Umpires: Messrs E. Jackson and E. Etwell. Lower Grade Hockey Senior Reserve A—University 2, High School Old Boys 2: Woolston 2. Sydenham 0; Hagley Old Boys 2, Christchurch Boys’ High School 1.. Senior Reserve B.—Teachers’ College 2, Rangiora Old Boys 2. Second Grade.—Sydenham beat Woolston by default; Selwyn 4. High School A 4, Cashmere 2. Third Grade—High School Old Boys 3, Rolleston House 2; Selwyn 3. University 1; Sydenham 2, Redcliffs B 2. Fourth Grade.—Woolston B 4, Kaiapoi 0: Harewood-Burnside 1, Woolston A 0.

Secondary Schools.—Hillmorton 3, Rangiora 0: Hagley High School 5, Linwood 3.

Under 16.—Christchurch Boys’ High School A 3, Cashmere 2. Under 14. —Selwyn A 1, Hare-wood-Burnside I; Christchurch Boys’ High School 4, Sydenham 3.

Under 12.—Redcliffs B 1. Woolston B 0; Woolston A 5, Selwyn 2; Sydenham 4, Woolston C2; Redcliffs A 5, Harewood-Burnside 2.