Hagley Old Boys held to draw in hockey

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32893, 17 April 1972, Page 14

Hagley Old Boys held to draw in hockey

Many teams, including the eight in the senior grade, assembled at the Polo Grounds on Saturday for the opening of the new season, which was launched on its way by the Mayor (Mr N. G. Pickering) in a bully with Mrs Joan Harnett, of netball fame.

The only surprise in the senior matches was Sydenham - Cashmere’s draw with Hagley Old Boys. The grounds were hard and closely cropped, but their bumpiness was a hazard to the skilful and a boon to the latter’s opponents. Results were:—University 4, Woolston 0; High School Old Boys 4, Selwyn 0; Harewood-Bumside 1, Linwood Old Boys 1; Hagley Old Boys 2, Sydenham-Cash-mere 2. UNIVERSITY V. WOOLSTON Woolston offered stout opposition, and with the aid of the ground conditions frequently upset University’s fluency. It was not until the latter part of the second half that University succeeded in reminding its supporters of the Inherent dangers to defences when its forwards are on the prowl within their circle. Its attacks were ably constructed, but suffered from a high error rate in the advanced approach Woolston often retaliated with a fierce enthusiasm, demanding some swift movement from R. L. McHarg, the University goalkeeper. J. Monk performed similar duties with ability for Woolston. At right-back for University E. Holstein trapped and tackled with greater consistency than his colleagues, of whom A. Ineson at centre-half was prominent with many valuable interceptions. The speed and swift balance of P. Ackerley at lefthalf were major assets in his team’s defence. In their quest for speed and comblnaUon the forwards were erratic. Their best movements revealed some strong—if rather desperate at times—cover defence by Woolston. Their understanding, opportunism and ball control finally broke what had been a sustained resistance. J. H. Christensen, at inside-right, was the most consistent leader, but B. J. Maister and J. J. Borren, either with the ball or running off it, covered as much ground. Borren’s second goal was an example of unusual skill In stickwork. The best players in Wodlston’s defence were the backs, P. Sutherland and T. Brennan, and C. Cox at centre-half. All tackled well and cleared strongly. R. Timlin made several fast breaks

on the right-wing, although haunted for most of the time by Ackerley, and B. J. Aldridge at inside-left Intercepted and launched a number of counterattacks. His stickwork and dribbling ability were as thrustful as ever. University’s goals were scored by J. J. Borren (two), B. J. Maister and Christensen. Umpires:—Messrs E. Ambler and K. McEwen. HAGLEY OLD BOYS V. S YDE N H AM-C ASHME RE In the first half Sydenham seemed uncertain, but managed several clean breaks through the centre and inside-right channels. There was improvement later, especially In the soundness of the trapping, and the lack of panic in defence was most creditable for a young team. Hagley was reduced to desperate straits in its efforts to avoid defeat. D. Petherbridge and R. OderIng led Sydenham’s attacks with skill and speed, and received good support from the halves, S. Kemp, G. Butterfield, and M. Peacock. K. Thomson, at centre-half, was Hagley’s best player, although his corner hitting was not as lethal as usual. He was well supported by his right-half, P. Cox, whose covering was necessary and effective. P. F. Clark at left-back marred his performance by two costly errors when he attempted to deal with situations on the reverse stick side instead of running around the ball. Although making haste with deliberation, A. Hayde on the right-wing, controlled the ball well, being the best of the forwards, of whom the Inside trio seemed reluctant either to advance or to retreat. It was their immobility which frustrated Hagley and vastly aided Sydenham in the organisation of its defence. Hagley lacked the technical skill to impose the tempo of the match upon its opponents. Its goals were scored by K. Thomson and W. A. Thomson, and Petherbridge and Oderlng scored for Sydenham. Umpires:—Messrs T. E. Eggleton and T. Thomas. HAREWOOD-BURNSIDE V. LINWOOD OLD BOYS > An energetic Unwood team began the game at a pace which one would have thought they could not keep up for long, but they kept it up and Harewood was able to match Unwood for most of the game. Linwood soon took control and was offered numerous scoring chances which it could not convert. It was finally Harewood which scored first—against the run ot play through T. Wall who

followed In on a rebound from the goal-keeper’s pads. Linwood went back to the attack at the start of the second half, and it was only a few minutes old when it was awarded a penalty-stroke, but this was well saved by H. Swaney, the Harewood goalkeeper. Linwood eventually equalised when B. Murray scored after several other forwards had worked the ball towards the goal. Jubilation was such among some of the Linwood players that the field resembled an English soccer match for a few moments. Both teams sought the winning goal, and although they came near they could not complete their attacks. The play remained fast and untidy, but at the same time absorbing. Umpires: Messrs E. Gilllver and P. Clark. HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS V. SELWYN Old Boys completely dominated this match, and its winning score of 4-0 would have been two or three higher had It not been for some excellent work by the Selwyn goal-keeper, S. Harvey. In the last quarter of the game Old Boys spent 90 per cent of the time inside the Selwyn 25-yard line, but because of a lack of finish and bad shooting it could only score one goal. Old Boys dominated the game from the start with the Selwyn forwards, led by J. W. Burtt and R. Best, making occasional sorties into Old Boys territory. Selwyn should have scored from two of these which would have given it the lead at halftime and perhaps more confidence for the second half when the team was constantly on the defensive and the attacks by the forwards fewer.

T. Burrows had a chance to score the first goal, but he pushed a penalty-stroke outside the upright. But he scored a few minutes later in a goal-mouth melee. Old Boys had to be content with this lead until mid-way through the second half when G. Marshall scored from a corner, and then A. Patterson, playing in the unaccustomed position of inside-left, scored from one of the number of chances he had. Burrows was given a second chance on a penalty-stroke and this one he converted—but only just, Harvey almost turning the ball round the post. The Selwyn team did not have the control and combination of its more experienced opponents, but its defence worked solidly under the constant pressure. Umpires: Messrs E. Gilllver and R. Beardsley.