Rare hockey loss for University

Press, 17 April 1978, Page 18

Rare hockey loss for University

Losses by the University men’s hockey team in Die last decade; have been rare. The handful of' spectators at Porritt Park Ova! I on Sattrday afternoon saw one of those rare occasions when University lost 1-2 to High School Old. Aiys. It w.»s exactly two years since University was last beaten. That was 1-0 by Redcliffs on the first day of the 1976 competition. It was only the side’s third loss in the last five years on Saturday. The other was in 1975 when it was beaten 4-1 by Linwood United. On that occasion University was severely depleted with players in a representative team. Old Boys deserved its win on Saturday. University is not as strong in defence this year and Old Boys probed tills weakness successfully, mainly with long through passes. Old Boys’ win, however, cannot be taken to mean that University is just a shadow of its former self. It will still take an excellent performance to beat it, and Barry Maister showed on Saturday he is still a brilliant forward, lie looked as sharp as at any time during the last domestic season. The other senior matches resulted much as expected. SelwynHillmorton. an inconsistent team in the last couple of seasons, looked revitalised and should improve as the season progresses. Woolston, although fit, lacked the combination of Selwyn. Some mediocre defence allowed Selwyn to score five goals. Tony ineson’s penalty-corner hitting was the difference between Redcliffs and Linwood United, and the same could be said in the Harewood-Svdenham game where Alan Chesney scored both Harewood’s goals from corners.

Results and scorers were:— High School Old Boys 2 (L. Burrowes. G. Ross), University 1 iC. G. Maister). Selwvn-ITillmorton 5 (D. Williamson 3. G. Carnoutsos 2), Woolston W.M.C. 0. Redcliffs 3 (A frteson 2, L. Munt), Linwood United 1 (G. Barrett). Harewood 2 (A. Chesney), Sydenham-Cashmere 0. MAJOR UPSET Graeme Sligo was the hero of Old Boy’s win. His inspired goalkeeping was the major factor in University’s loss. Minutes after Old Boys’ took a 2-1 lead Sligo repelled two hard shots in rapid succession from Barry Maister and John Christensen. Later in the game he made several other athletic saves and Old Boys’ cause was aided by the full-back, Chris Tye, who made two superb reflex saves from penalty-corners on the goal-line.

Old Boys made a sensational start. After quelling two promising attacks by University, they in turn moved to attack and Larry Burrowes scored. Chris Maister scored University’s goal four minutes into the second half. It was from a penalty corner, but far from a hard shot. Tye just failed to stop it. Gerald Ross scored the winning goal from a melee after 50 minutes. Although under extreme pressure in the final 20 minutes, the Old Boys defence

held. It became virtually impossible for University to break through with at times the whole Old Boys team inside the 25 yard line. If University was to have a saviour. Barry Maister was that person. Several times he sliced through three or four players with superb control, only to founder on a defensive wall. Christensen and Chris Maister were also dangerous when moving forward, but Geoff Gibson. Maurice Kidd and Tye led a determined defence that tackled resolutely and cleared quickly. Greg Pierce played confidently in his senior debut at right half, but Selwyn Maister and Paul Ackerley. the other University halves, were not their usual authoritative selves. Rob Ebert and Geoff Deakins were the most constructive Old Boys forwards, and as always Ross was dangerous inside the circle.

narrow advantage Harewood was fortunate to win bv two goals. SydenhamCashmere did its share of attacking and on several occasions was very close to scoring. Ross Ambler put the ball in the goal in the first half from a penalty corner, but it was ruled tahgerous. There was little to choose between the defences and any advantage Harewood had was in the forward line, but the advantage was not as great as it should have been. With Balvant Bhana and Roydon Agent leading the attack, and lan Hill at centre forward, Harewood should have been more prominent, but too many fundamental mistakes were made. Often the Harewood forwards were in too great a hurry and in other cases threw passes without thinking. In both cases they lost possession. The Sydenham defence was solid, at times robust, with Ross Ambler, at left back, outstanding. He opened gaps for passes with good stickwork and when the gap was available did not dally. Marty Fitzsimons, in goal, made some good saves and Murray Peacock and Bevan Hall also had commendable games on defence. Steve Ambler was Sydenham’s most incisive forward. With minutes remaining he almost broke the Harewood defence. He was stopped by a couple of wayward sticks, but Harewood received a free hit when a penalt v' corner looked the right decision. Alan Chesney’s covering was invaluable to his side. The

other defenders played soundly against an attack that Instantly made use of gaps. COSTLY MISTAKES Linwood is definitely not the pushover It was expected to be this season. The loss of two key players has weakened It a little, but it gave Redcliffs its moments of concern. Had it not been for Ineson’s powerful striking at penalty corners—he scored two goals in this fashion—and a missed penalty stroke by Gregg Barrett (Linwood), the score might have levelled. Redcliffs had a better balanced forward line which passed the ball more than usual, and while many passes went to Linwood

sticks, those that did aot w«re used intelligently by the forwards. Sound build up work by the forwards resulted in the tit o corners from which laeson scored, and the third goal was the result of close following up bv Lee Munt. He trapped a partly cleared bail on the left goal post and pushed it into Hie net. Ineson was a dominating figure at centre-half, doing a large amount of work on defence. Peter Christensen al right-half did well as an initiator of attacks and Kerrv Wolton had a usetul senior debut, stopping a penattj stroke in goal and generally performing soundly. Linwood relied largely on its experienced players, to pressurise Redcliffs and this they did admirably. Bikhu Bhana at centre-half, hardly threw a bad pass in the match and behind him. Barrett, a tall young fullback, who scored the only goal from a penalty-stroke, tackled neatly and passed accurately. Graeme Williams set up the second penalty-stroke after breaking through several Redcliffs defenders, and the right flank pair of Darryl Small and Parsot Bhana combined splendidly at times. EASY WIN A purple patch during which Selwvn scored three goals in th* 10 minutes before half-time sealed the match for it. Up to its first goal, however, there was little difference between the teams. Selwyn showed more cohesion on attack but Woolston’s bustling forwards, although they found it difficult to string together more than a couple of passes, were always a danger because of their quick breaking and opportunist tendencies. Doug Williamson was the star of the Selwyn team at centreforward. He lacked the close skill of the forwards on either side of him—George Carnoutsos and Mark Burtt—but when in sight of the circle he ran hard and straight with good results. His third goal was a gem. A shot was blocked by the goalkeeper, Gary Copsey. and partially cleared to his lefV Williamson ran across the goal, dived at the ball and hooked it back into the net from an acuta

angle. Carnoutsos and Burtt were used to promote attacks and they did their job impressively. Behind them Tony Jury was * commanding figure at centre-half, tackling, intercepting and initiating attacks. Craig Burtt at right-half established a good understanding with Carnoutsos and it was these two who were responsible for Selwyn’s most dangerous attacks. Gary Jones at centre-half for Woolston had to cover a tremendous amount of ground which he did untiringly, but the forwards will have to improve their combination if they seriously are to threaten the majority of the other teams in the competition. Woolston had one scoring opportunity four minutes before i half-time. It was awarded a penalty-stroke after Selwyn I broke twice at penalty-corners, but Stuart Tasker pushed the ball high over the goal.