Hockey Selwyn displays superiority

Press, 15 July 1985, Page 28

Hockey Selwyn displays superiority

On a bleak day, with conditions totally unfavourable to the production of good hockey, Selwyn defied the weather and warmed the hearts of the stoic few lining the sidelines at Barrington Park with some superb second half play against Woolston in the Noel Leeming senior championship on Saturday. Selwyn was the superior team throughout, and its passing was always slick on a well groomed, but wet ground. It was rocked by a Woolston equalliser early in the second half but quickly overcome that reversal to score four goals in 20 minutes. It was an abbreviated championship on Saturday. The coleader Liquorland Harewood, and High School Old Boys had their games deferred until later in the season. Both teams had several players in the Canterbury B team that was playing in a quadrangular tournament in Nelson.

University and Kent Prier Redcliffs had to contend with a slushy field at Barnett Park, but both played commendable hockey in the circumstances. University struggled to overcome Redcliffs 2-1 however, and twice in the last few minutes had to save shots that were heading goalwards. Pegasus was another team to show a liking for the wet. It was always in control against Daniel Visser Sydenham, and in the second half especially, passed the ball about effectively and scored three goals for an eventual 4-0 win. Points table is:

UNIVERSITY 2 (P. Borren 2), REDCLIFFS 1 (P. Christensen). University controlled 80 per cent of the game against Redcliffs, but it could not convert that possession into goals. The forwards passed the ball about efficiently but failed to use the through pass as effectively as it might have. On the slippery surface the well-placed ball behind the defence would have had defenders struggling to hold their feet when turning. Redcliffs used the tactic a couple of times late in the game, and one pass almost resulted in a goal. University scored the first goal of the game when Pim Borren collected a rebound from the goal keeper at a penalty corner and pushed the ball firmly into the net. Just before half time Redcliffs equallised when Peter Christensen scored from a penalty corner variation. A similar variation almost resulted in another goal late in the game. Three quick passes were made in the circle and the eventual shot was saved on the goal-line. Fifteen minutes from full time Pim Borren scored the winning goal from a penalty stroke after an obstruction in front of the goal mouth.

University slowly retreated from the forthright attacking approach it had adopted and allowed Redcliffs to press at its circle. There was a senes of penalty corners and Dave Stuthridge had to save one head high shot and smother another after Hamish McGregor the Redcliffs centre forward burst on to a through ball. Barry Maister, who was filling in for University, was brought back to right back in the dying minutes by the University coach, Cyril Walter, obviously hoping Maister’s cool and experienced head would control the situation.

Borren was the best of the University forwards controlling the ball well on attack, and Maister’s running off the ball was very effective.

Mark Tynan and Gary Hodder were steady defenders for University. Rodney Hefford was an eager worker for Redcliffs, although his passing lacked in direction, and Leon Munt was a determined left

wing. Rob Wilson and Michael Bamford, the Redcliffs backs, were sure tacklers and trappers, and David Loader in goal made several smart saves in difficult conditions. SELWYN 5 (R. Schoeman 3, R. Wilson, J. Caraoutsos), WOOLSTON 1 (M. Wood).

When Woolston equallised at 1-1 soon after half time it was a surprise because it had reached the Selwyn circle only a handful of times during the first half. Malcolm Wood converted the penalty stroke after an obstruction in front of the Selwyn goal-mouth, and at that time the vulnerability of the situation seemed to sink into the Selwyn team. It had done a tremendous amount of attacking in the first half but failed to use a number of penalty corners and other good scoring chances. Three likely shots went wide of the target. The Selwyn forwards, who had combined efficiently in the first half, lifted their game a notch after Woolston equalised and there was never much doubt who the winning team would be.

Woolston’s defence was swamped by numerous attacks, most of them involving crisp inter-passing between the inside forward trio of George Carnoutsos, Richard Schoeman and Mark Burtt. The wet and slippery ground was no foil to them.

Robin Wilson eventually gave Selwyn the lead again from a penalty corner and then Jon Carnoutsos deflected a shot by Wilson past the defence. The two best goals of the game followed after crisp passing moves through the centre or the field, and Richard Schoeman finished each superbly. He scored Selwyn’s first goal after a good break down the left.

Selwyn’s forwards were well supported by the halves, especially Wilson in the centre and Bruce Richards at right half. Woolston’s commitment to defence never allowed it much opportunity to mount attacks. Geoff Chalitlen was the only forward to show any penetration, but lacked support

Greg Rhodes and Malcolm Wood were again busy and willing

workers in the Woolston defence, and Gary Copsey made some fine saves in the woolston goal, keeping the score to a respectable margin. PEGASUS 4 (J. Radovonich 2, G. Clark, D. McEwen), SYDENHAM 0. The ground at Burwood Park was badly affected by water but this seemed to pose few problems for Pegasus which passed the ball astutely and accurately, and had the Sydenham defence on the back foot for the majority of the game.

One of the pleasing aspects of the match was the performance of John Radovonich at inside right for Pegasus. He has been troubled by injury lately but was back to his best form on Saturday. In spite of reaching the Sydenham circle a number of times in the first half, Pegasus could score only once through Darryl McEwen ana it appeared Pegasus might struggle to score goals as it has done for most of the season. There was more purpose to the

attacks in the second half though and Radovonich was leading his fellow forwards by example. His passing was accurate and swift and he found space readily. He scored two splendid field goals — and missed a penalty stroke later in the half.

Greg Clark scored a late goal for Pegasus. It was the most goals Pegasus has in a game this season and was also its widest winning margin.

Craig Mcßobb and Darryl McEwen were other Pegasus forwards to attack with control and vigour while behind them Jeff McEwen distributed the ball intelligently. Tim Harvey was a secure full back.

Marty Fitzsimons played safely in the Sydenham goal and on defence lan Bartholomew and Lionel Wong worked hard under pressure and cleared the circle area effectively.

P W D L F A Pt University 13 11 2 0 26 5 24 Harewood 12 11 0 1 37 7 22 Selwyn 13 10 1 2 36 8 21 Redcliffs 13 6 2 5 13 14 14 H.S.O.B. 12 2 5 5 12 16 9 Pegasus 13 4 2 7 14 17 10 Wooiston 13 1 6 6 7 21 8 Rangiora 12 2 3 7 11 29 7 Linwood 12 2 3 7 7 24 6 Sydenham 13 1 2 10 4 30 4