University becomes hockey leader

Press, 9 August 1976, Page 17

University becomes hockey leader

University took a three-point lead with only two games remaining in the Trans Tours preliminary men’s hockey competition, when it beat Woolston Working Men’s Club, 15-0, on Saturday.

It was a fine display of controlled hockey by University which had back in its ranks five players from the victorious Olympic tear,.. The matches on Saturday however were spoilt by bad ground conditions at Porritt Park. The oval was the only ground of six which was not badly affected by the wet weather, but it was very bumpy. The outside grounds all had at least one boggy patch on them. High School Old Boys, which was second until Saturday, could only manage to draw with Redcliffs which noticed a difference in its attack and defence with the return of Tony Ineson, the New Zealand captain. Harewood-Bumside too noticed the return of its New Zealand representative, Alan Chesney, and he did much to help Harewood to a 3-2 win against Linwood United, which is now at the bottom of the points table. In the other game Sydenham-Cashmere scored a 3-2 win against Hagley Old Boys after a very even game. Hagley though, seems assured of making the top six for the Trans Tours championship. It is four points ahead of Sydenham, the seventh placed teai. i

Results and scorers were: University 5 (B. Maister 3, S. Maister 2), Woolston Working Men’s Club 0. Harewood-Burnside 3 (I. Hill, A. Chesney, W. Seebeck), Linwood United 2 (B. Bhana). Redcliffs 1 (P. Christensen), High School Old Boys 1 (G. Deakins). Sydenham-Cashmere 3, (R. Ambler, B. Cameron, B. Murray), Hagley Old Boys 2. (R. Best, I. Thompson).

A greater purpose in the circle gave Harewood-Burnside a deserved win against Linwood United. Harewood generally handled the ground better using long passes in preference to dribbling on the uneven surface.

Linwood actually led for 15 minutes after Balvant Bhana scored from a penalty corner 20 minutes into the half. Ten minutes later Alan Chesney equalised, also from a corner.

From that point Harewood controlled the game using the full width of the field to mount attacks with Chesney having command over the mid-field, and Dick Pettet at right-half, supplying the right flank with many good passes. Harewood took the lead after 10 minutes of the second half when the right-wing, Wayne Seeback, who, witii the left-wing. Bruce McLean, were the best Harewood forwards, picked up a pass from the left of the circle and quickly put it in the net. Harewood continued to attack and 10 minutes later it went ahead 3-1 when lan Hill picked up a rebound in the circle and scored.

Linwood came back with a few strong attacks, led by its talented inside right, Balvant Bhana, but lack of combination meant most of the attacks were solo affairs. Bhana eventually narrowed the score to 3-2 five minutes from full-time with a penalty stroke. In the Linwood defence. Kanti Buhdia and Bruce Trethewey were energetic and made few errors. University wins A full-strength University team had too much pace and skill for Woolston and it comfortably marched to a 5-0 win. The returned Olympians were very much in evidence with Barry and Selwyn Maister knocking in all the goals. Woolston were able to do little to stem the tide of Varsity’s numerous attacks and apart from the occasional breaks, they put little pressure on McHarg in goal. Barry Maister hit in three penalty corners in the first half and if vital traps had not been missed they could well have added a handful of field goals to their tally. The game was spoilt on several occasions by unnecessarily rough play and more than one player ended the game with less skin than he started with. Selwyn Maister put two goals in in the second half, one of them fium a penalty stroke. Unlucky draw

High School Old Boys were most unlucky not to beat Redcliffs in the sea of mud at Porritt Park.

They put the ball into the net midway through the first half and were somewhat disappointed when they found the umpire had awarded them a penalty corner instead.

There were few scoring opportunities in the first half but all

action came soon after the start of the second spell. Jeff Deakins, who had been deprived of the goal earlier in the game smacked in a good shot and put Old Boys into the lead. This lead was to be short-lived, however. From the bully. Redcliffs went straight on to attack and from an obstruction in the Old Boys circle it was awarded a penalty stroke. Peter Christenson made no mistake with a good push and thus levelled the scores.

Both teams threw everything into the dying stages of the game but tiie defences of each remained unpenetrable. Deakins and Dave Stuthridge had good games for Old Boys and Peter Christenson and Tony Ineson were the mainstays of Redcliffs. Exciting game If Sydenham-Cashmere had shown their present form at the beginning of the season there is little doubt they would now be near the top of the points table.

In beating Hagley Old Boys 3-2 they showed a cohesion between halves and forwards that gave their attacks depth and purpose yet did not weaken their defence. Hagley was first to score when Bob Best dribbled through and pushed the ball past Marty Fitzsimmons in goal. At this stage Hagley was dominating play but this dominance was to change hands several times during the game. Ross Ambler brought Sydenham back into the game with a well taken penalty corner. The scores remained level for the rest of the first half.

Sydenham began the second half with much enthusiasm and when Bruce Cameron smacked in their second goal they seemed to believe tiiey could win. A momentary lapse let Hagley get its second goal. A free hit from Bill Thompson found Ivan Thompson unmarked near the goal and it was a simple task for him to push it into the net. Svdenham sealed the game with 10 minutes to go when a sharp deflection was steered into the net by Brett Murray. It was a well deserved win and both teams could feel happy with their performances.

p W D L F A Pts Uni. 14 10 3 1 29 4 23 HSOB 14 7 6 1 19 6 20 H.B. 14 7 4 3 20 15 18 Red 15 s 6 4 15 16 16 S.H. 14 5 4 .) 11 13 14 H.O.B. 15 3 7 5 16 18 13 s.c. 14 3 3 8 8 22 9 W.W.M.C 14 3 2 9 11 24 8 Lin. 14 2 3 9 19 30 7 Deserved win