University and H.S.O.B. share hockey lead

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33539, 21 May 1974, Page 16

University and H.S.O.B. share hockey lead

University and High School Old Boys remain locked at the head of the Trans Tours preliminary championship in the senior men’s hockey competition. Both teams won their fifth successive matches on Saturday.

Although it won by a comfortable margin, it took some time for University to exert its authority against Harewood-Burnside. It led only 1-0 at half-time and it was not until well into the second half that the other three goals were scored. University in its five matches this season has averaged five goals a game, and as yet has to concede one.

Old Boys, although they have' only had one goal against them, have not been so goal-hungry,! scoring only nine. But, like University, they have little fear of not making the top six in the preliminary championship. The six will take part in the Trans Tours championship. Selwyn-Hillmorton had a scoreless draw with Linwood Old Boys and moved into third equal place on the points table. Selwyn 1 to date has scored only two goals in six games, but it has six points to its credit.

Two of the bottom teams, Woolston Working Men's Club and Sydenham-Cashmere, drew 1-all. Harewood has dropped to bottom equal with Sydenham on the points table. Results and scorers were:—

University 4 (Arthur Borren 2, N. Coster, B. J. Maister), Harewood-Burnside 0.

High School Old Boys 1 (M. ! Tillman), Redcliffs 0. I Woolston Working Men's Club 1 (G. Wilson), SydenhamCashmere 1 (S. Ambler). Linwood Old Boys 0, Selwyn- ■ Hillmorton 0. The points table is:— P W L D FA Pts i University 5 5 0 0 25 0 10! H. 5.0.8. 5 5 0 0 9 1 10, Hagley 0.8. 5 2 1 2 9 7 6: Selwyn-H. 6 22 22 7 6 Linw'd 0.8. 5 1 1 3 4 4 5 Redcliffs 5 1 22 3 6 4 Woolston 6 0 3 3 3 12 3 Harewood-B. 6 0 4 22 9 2 Syd.-Cash. 5 0 3 2 4 15 2 EVEN MATCH Sydenham-Cashmere and Woolston found it impossible to play controlled hockey on a bumpv ground at Sydenham Park, and a draw was a fair indication of the run of play. Woolston took the lead midway through the first half with! a goal by G. Wilson. Sydenham did not score until mid-way through the second half, but it had been pressuring the Woolston goal for several minutes before it was awarded a penalty-stroke. R. Agent and S. N. S. Tasker were the best Woolston forwards. They continually looked for gaps in the defence, but seldom found them. C. Cox and T. Brennan were the best Woolston backs. S. Ambler worked energetically in the Sydenham forwards. The defence was adequate, but A. Tizzard stood out because of his calmness under pressure. DEFENCES DOMINATE The defences of the Selwyn- , Hillmorton and Linwood teams I cancelled out the opposing , forward lines, and at no time ! during the game was either goal ' in serious danger. I.inwood, varying its attack well,was the slightly better team. ID. S. Small and Balvant Bhana

Iribbled well but at times to sxeess. Behind them. P. and 3hiku Bhana tackled skilfully but their passing lacked its usual accuracy, mainly because they Became obsessed with making long passes which, in most cases, were easily intercepted. Selwyn lacked co-ordination in Its forward line. A. Hayde made ground often, but the other forwards failed to position themselves. M. McK. Burtt also dribbled well.

C. Burtt, playing in a new role at centre-half, passed sensibly, while the fullbacks, L. Wong and Y. Velluppallia kept the Linwood forwards at bay with solid tackling and good covering. UNIVERSITY LACKING The outstanding feature of this game was the excellent surface at Ham. whose condition made the many University errors inexcusable. For much of the time ! Harewood's defence coped with University’s repeated attacks, and within its context A. Chesney demonstrated the value oi his skill and improved anticipation at centre-half. E, Clarke, with strong tackling and useful, clearances, gave good support ati left-back. D. Stanton, from a withdrawn inside-right position, also rendered sterling support to the defence, and S. Cranfield kicked strongly from the goalmouth. The University halves, P. D. Ackerley. S. G. Maister and N. Coster, with help at times from the backs, G. Murray and E. A. Holstein, kept the Harewood forwards in check and supplied their own forwards with good ball often. These latter built threatening and mobile attacks, too many of which ceased abruptly through poor trapping or flimsy passing. J. H. Christensen, at insideright, was the most authentic of the vanguard in his trapping, dribbling and distribution, but there was an appalling tendency to overdribble and to delav ■ passes. It was the University) workload and incessant running off the ball together with its urgent going-back play which destroyed Harewood and provided the chances for the many attacks. However, the pressure could not be denied, and Harewood paid dearly for its moments of hesitancy in deep defence. POOR GROUND The uneven and impossible surface of the Hagley Park Polo ground, masked the domination j of Old Boys whose modest winning score belied their superiority. For most of the match they attacked. The Redcliffs forwards made little use of the ball, enough at times to beseige the opposing circle. However, in the counterattack areas. Redcliffs halves and backs were always struggling, and they lacked the sophistication and ability of their counterparts in feeding their forwards from withdrawn positions. I The one exception was A. Ineson, at centre-half, who as usual demonstrated the value of his skill and anticipation to the Redcliffs team. J. Whitehead in goal also played well. M. Tillman and R. Bailey led many Old Boys raids in which their right flank repeatedly em-

i barrassed Redcliffs. At centreI half. E. Barnes was quite domi- : nant for Old Boys. He had much loose ball at his disposal, and his : ■ disposal was most constructive. ; Equally skilful and effective was , G. Marshall at left-half, whose trapping was very good on such i a surface. , The Canterbury senior hockey ..squad will start training on Tues- . day. May 21, at Canterbury Court >!at 5.30 p.m