MEN'S Hockey

Evening Star, Issue 23325, 22 July 1939, Page 3 (Supplement)

MEN'S Hockey

. By Half, j

Owing to the senior and junior representative teams being engaged in fixtures at Timawi and Dunedin on Saturday, the senior and junior competitions were suspended.

Otago v. South Canterbury. The senior and junior representative teams journeyed to Timaru and registered two wins against South Canterbury. The seniors were successful by 8 goals to 2, and the juniors by 3 goals to 2.

The senior game_ resulted in a good, fast exhibition, with Otago shading their opponents as regards team play. For their first game together the Otago team gave a very good exhibition, and should weld into a formidable side for future opponents. Moore, in goal, gave a very fair exhibition, while about the only fault that could be found with play of the two full-backs, Seelye and Bedford, was that they played rather far back while their team was on attack. The three halves—Galland, Gurr, and Dotting—all played very serviceable games. Galland, however, is still giving away too many penalties for “ kicks ” and “ sticks,” while Dotting could back up more on attack. Most of the backs could further improve their value by marking their opponents better. The forward line combined well and showed speed, good stickwork, and determination. Stewart, who was playing on the left wing instead of his usual position on the right wing, gave a very good exhibition, and proved a source of worry to the opposition defence. Alldred, Ryeburn, and Yule were a trio of inside forwards who were quick to make full use of all opportunities. Alldred especially was “ deadly ’’ in the circle.

The South Canterbury team, of whom Mayston, Andressand, and Coulter were the best, gave a dashing exhibition, and worked hard from whistle to whistle, but, as stated above, they failed to attain Otago’s standard of team play

Otago B v. Eastern. The Otago R senior and junior representative teams played the Eastern (Gore) senior and junior representative teams on the Oval, under rather trying circumstances. Although the ground was in surprisingly good order after the wet weather, it was, nevertheless, very slippery, and a very cold wind was blowing.

The Otago teams won both matches, the seniors by 6 goals to 1, and the juniors by 4 goals to 1. The result in the senior match by no means Fairly indicated the relative territorial advantage nf the two teams. Tip to v'thin n quarter of an hour of the final whistle the score remained 1

all, and at that stage indications were that Eastern would possibly win. Otago, however, altered their tactics, and by solo efforts quickly added five goals to their score. The Eastern backs wore nonplussed by this change of tactics.

For the first 20 minutes of the game Eastern had Otago in serious difficulties, and it was only the very steady goalkeeping of Hercus, combined with the rather weak circle work of the Eastern inside forwards, that prevented the southern team’s score from being larger. A mistake was made in not playing 0. Dey as inside right. On the right wing his experience and penetrative abilities were not brought to fruitful conclusions by his less capable colleagues. Nevertheless, Dey, Ferris, and Adair on the right flank made numerous assaults on the Otago circle, but the attacks lost their sting through the three inside forwards failing to shoot quickly and decisively for the goal. The halves—Horn, White and Walker—were a keen and hard-working trio, but failed to come up to representative standard in that they were inclined to play too far back and did not give their forwards the full measure of support.

M‘Ara was the stronger back and played a very serviceable game, but should have been repeatedly penalised for sticks. While Wright gave a fairly good exhibition of goalkeeping, he could use better judgment in coming out to meet his opponents. As a young team lacking experience, Eastern put up a very creditable performance, and with some strict umpiring such infringements as sticks, obstruction, and offside play would be quickly eradicated.

The Otago team gave rather a “ disjointed ” display and took some time to settle down. As an attacking force they were ineffective until the last quarter of an hour, when they resorted to solo efforts-—a system that would undoubtedly fail against more experienced opponents. While most of the forward line, especially Webb, Rennick, and Ryeburn, played very good individual games, they failed to combine as a line. As a consequence the half line, of which Baird was the best, had a troublesome afternoon Both backs, Roberts and Sherwin, were solid on defence, but would well have placed their clearances to better advantage. Hercus, in goal, played his usual steady game and nullified numerous shots which would have been fruitful with a less dependable goalkeeper.

The* Right Flank—lnside Right. As an inside right, you must remember that you must be always ready to attack. Your positional play must be faultless, otherwise the crowding of your centre or wing men will prove disastrous. At all times know the disposition of not only your own forwards, but also the opposing defence, and be ready to snap into an opening should the opportunity present itself. Watch for the right moment to give or take a pass, for the opportune pass is the real solution of a successful inside right’s game. By moving too .slowly ahead to take a pass or by passing

too late, the attacking movement is likely to break down. First-time passing is better than foolish attempts to try to beat the i Dce Sln gle-handed, and that means that you must combine with both your oentreand right wing man. Not only that, but you must also be ready and able to interchange positions with either of these two players should the necessity arise. Never play selfishly, the side retaining possession of the ball must hold the advantage; therefore it is far better to pass freely than to hold on to the ball and eventually lose it. It follows, of course, that it is important for your pass to be made correctly. Hit the ball cleanly and crisply in - a direction slightly ahead of your partner, then follow up ready for a return pass should one come your ' V3 J- Practise passing to either side. lackhng back ” is an important part of your duty when vou lose possession on the attack. Also when your halves and backs are hard pressed you should not fail to fall back and help, should you get the ball, pass it to your winger, for, as a general rule, it is sound principle to pass to the wing when on defence and to the inside men when on attack. Once you reach the circle, shoot hard and quickly. To dally with the ball, tapping it to try to work it into a better position usually proves fatal 1 Tt , st ' tllTle shot is the best. If, however, you find yourself forced almost on to the goal-line, do not attempt to score unless the opening is absolutely clear. It is better to pass the ball back to one of your forwards waiting for the opportunity to find the net.

Always “ follow in ” on another for ward s snot at goal.

(Next week—The Left Flank.)