Long grass hampers hockey matches

Press, 1 May 1978, Page 20

Long grass hampers hockey matches

The main talking point at Porritt Park on Saturday was not the men’s hockey matches but the state of the outside grounds. They had not been cut and the long grass made hockey extremely difficult. Fortunately the oval was cut so the senior games between Redcliffs and High School Old Boys, and Selwyn-Hillmorton and Linwood United were not affected. But there were continual complaints from the players in the other two senior names and the senior reserve matches on the outside grounds. There were two minor upsets on SAturday. Selwyn was held to a draw* by Linwood, and Redcliffs was beaten by Old Boys. Both Selwyn and Redcliffs had more scoring opportunities than their opponents but could not capitalise on them. Harewood and University were I hampered by the long grass. The skilful forwards in both sides found close control almost impossible and had to make quick adaptations. Both sides won by a single goal. After two rounds only two sides, Old Boys and Harewood, have two wins. Selwyn is unbeaten, but its draw on Saturday leaves it a point behind the two leaders. University and Redcliffs each have a win for two points. Linwood has one point and Pegasus. Woolstcn and SydenhamCashmere none. Results and scorers w ere: Linwood United 2 (H. Singh, G. Barrett), Selwyn-Hillmorton 2 (D. Williamson, M. Burtt). High School Old Boys 2 (M. Connor, G. Gibson), Redcliffs 1 (A. Ineson). Harewood 1 (A. Chesney), Woelston W.M.C. 0. University 1 (B. J. Maister), Pegasus o. SELWYN STRUGGLES Selwyn-Hillmorton had every opportunity to beat Linwood United. It had a greater share of the ball and mounted many more attacks, but the majority foundered on the determined Linwood defence. Twice Linwood had the lead and after it scored its second goal early in the second half it looked as though Selwyn might fail in its effort to score the equalliser. Eventually, however. Mark Burtt saved his team from defeat when, he was first to a through ball at the top of the circle. With a lunging push be guided the ball past the approaching goal-keeper, Ishwa Ganda.

Linwood scored first. Greg Barrett converted a penaltystroke after the Selwyn goalkeeper. Peter Bodekar, caught the ball under his feet.

Selwyn equallised near halftime when Doug Williamson scored fronia penalty corner. Ten minqtes into the second-half Linwood took the lead again when Henry Singh scored from a penalty-corner.

Led by Mark Burtt and George Carnoutsos. the Selwyn forwards moved with purpose, but many promising attacks were spoilt by slack passing at a crucial moment. The left side defence of Robin Wilson and Craig Burtt helped Selwyn out of many tight situations.

Bikhu Bhana was a steadying influence on the Linwood defence at centre-half and behind him John Whitford and Barrett made many timely tackles. Par sot Bhana. Graeme Williams and Roy Parry attacked with vigour, but the most experienced Linwood forward, Darryl Small, was given insufficient work for an inside-right. LATE GOAL

In terms of possession Redcliffs should have, beaten High School Old Boys by at least a goal, but a combination of atro-

eioqs passing and another splendid goal-keeping display by Graeme Sligo, allowed Old Boys to snatch a late win. In the second half Redcliffs had about 75 per cent of the possession, but about the same amount was thrown away with bad passes. Time after time passes meant for the forwards went directly to an Old Boys player. Old Boys mounted fewer attacks but were more penetrative in and near the circle. It was significant however, that all three goals came from penalties. Old Boys scored first when Murray Connor netted a penaltycorner after 21 minutes, but immediately Redcliffs attacked and also from a penalty-corner, Tony Ineson scored. Redcliffs almost took the lead two minutes later when another Ineson corner beat Sligo, but was cleared on the line by Maurice Kidd. Even though it wasted so many passes Redcliffs often had the Old Boys defence under pressure in the second half. Brendan Beaumont and lan Jackson dribbled especially well. But minutes before full-time Old Boys attacked and was awarded a penal-ty-stroke from which Geoff Gibson scored. BOLD PEGASUS Pegasus performed beyond expectations against University and with a little luck could have caused a major upset. For the first half Pegasus did more attacking and received more penalty-corners than University. but its performance foil away in the second half. The loss : of two experienced players — Hugh Griffin and Rob Wilson, both with facial injuries — was a blow to the Pegasus team and allowed University to dominate. The ground caused a great number of passing mistakes in both teams, but Pegasus adapted quickly, and twice in the first . half was close to scoring. Ivan Thomson and Bob Best both broke the i University defence only to mistime shots at goal. Barry Maister, who made some excellent runs once he became <

used to the surface, demanded close attention I‘rum the Pegasus defence. But mid-way through the second-half he got the break he was seeking and scored the only goal. Thur Borren, who filled in for an injured Chris Maister, and John Christensen also put pressure on the Pegasus defence several times in the second half. Seiwyn Maister and Paul Ackerly both played well on defence for university. Late in the game Paul Wayman, the Pegasus goal-keeper, made several good saves. Willie Griffin at centre-half did a commendable job of containing Barry Maister. HAREWOOD TESTED In the long grass of tiie No. 1 ground at Porritt Park the Harewood forwards found it difficult i to play with the control of which they are capable. It was only 10 minutes before fulltime that Woolston finally i succumbed to pressure and Alan Chesney converted a penal-ty-corner. Up to that point Wool- . ston had done its share of attacking, and at one stage of the first- half put the ball in the net only to have it disallowed. The Harewood forwards made bold attempts to play controlled hockey, and as the game wore on they adapted well. Balvant Bhana and Roydon Agent used the through pass to good effect. The Harewood defence did not look as solid as usual. The normally reliable Alan Chesney. Dick Pettet and lan Steel made more mistakes than expected. Woolston with forceful attacks tested the Harewood defence for 15 minutes before half-time. It received several penalty-corners but could not convert any. With Tom Brennan coaxed back into the defence after one week in the forward line, Woolston’s had more solidity. Gary Jones played another fine game at centre-half. Woolston must have been heartened by Saturday’s performance. It might not be too many more weeks before it has its first win of the season.