HOCKEY Cobden’s Defeat Caused Upset In Championship

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 September 1949, Page 3 (Supplement)

HOCKEY Cobden’s Defeat Caused Upset In Championship

It had appeared for some time that Cobden would set a ; precedent by going through the season without suffering a defeat but its long series of victories and drawn matches .was brought to an end on Saturday when it went down to a much-improved Cambridge eleven in the second round of ..the West . Coast Hockey Association's Championship competition. While Cambridge's win was well deserved, its victory over Cobden caused a major upset in the championship table, and with the competition nearing completion, an interesting and rathfer complicated position has arisen. . Two matches remain to be played to complete the series, and three teams have chances of parrying off the honours. Cambridge, with a one-point lead over Cobden; must win. the remaining two matches to maintain its slender lead and the result of its game against Greymouth, also in a com-: manding positiori, tomorrow will have a direct bearing on the outcome of the competition. Both Cobden and Greymo.uth must also win their next two matches, but Greymouth is in a happier position in that it has yet to play two matches which were set down for earlier in the.competition. Cobden’s Downfall Cambridge owed its success in Saturday’s match, not so much to, superior play but more to Cobden’s inability to shoot accurately ■ for goal. Cobden had a territorial advantage for most of the game and at times Cambridge was hard pressed to keep the forwards out, but the Cobden line was unable to finish off its movements because of faulty shooting. This fault has been the downfall of the Cobden side in previous matches this season when victory Appeared to be within its grasp. , ~ On the other hand, the Cambridge defence was solid and the team would have'been in dire straits without the services of W. Fields (left half) and R. Mellett "and Henderson (full-backs). Fields in particular was outstanding on defence. Henderson, a new-comer to West Coast hockey circles, showed good form and should be in the running for representative honours next season. His positional play was good but his main fault was a tendency to give “sticks” when under pressure. Gaps In Forward Line The Cambridge forward line was a well-balanced unit but it may have done even better had it played as a more-closely knit line instead of leaving gaps through which it was possible for the Cobden defence to place the ball. The leader was G. Williams, at centre, and a feature of his play was his intense backing up, whicli resulted in him scoring three of his team’s four goals. Other Cambridge forwards to catch the eye were E. Williams and F. Brown. Although some of the play in the encounter between Greymouth and Paci-

fic was not of a very high standard, the match was. at times, an interesting one but there: was little doubt as to who the . winners would be after the first few. minutes of play. Greymouth was playing short in the foxwards and because of this elected; to play an individual type of game in thaf’depart..The ..Result was . encouraging although it must be remembered that several of Greymouth’s goals -were "gifts” and • were. the results of mistakes, made by the Pacific defence, and in particulax- the goal-keeper, L. Cooper, Who>had an off-day., Kendon Outstanding All of the Greymouth forwards went well .-but the outstanding player was K. Kendon, who oh.-; numerous occasions, broke through the defence. B. Newton and R. Bradley also gave improved performances. The half-line also .went well, while tire two fullbacks, N. Gardner and G. Swinburn, gave the team a solid defence line. Pacific’s downfall ipay have been hi its half-backs, who were too inclined to hard hitting especially when the side, was in an attacking position. The best of the Pacific forwards were T.’ McKenzie, G. Knapp and N. Messenger. D. Pengellv and W. Kennedy did well in the half line while G. Chapman was reliable on defence. Arrangements For Boys’ Representative Matches Arrangements are being, made by the West Coast and Buller Hockey Associations for two schoolboys’ representative matches to be played at Greymouth onSeptember 10, prior to the match between the provinces’ senior men’s teams for the Mawhera Cup. In ordex* that the West Coast teams may be selected, practices for the local boys’ team will be held at the Recreation Ground tomorrow afternoon. Should tomorrow’s fixtures be postponed, however, the two Greymouth teams will assemble at the Recreation Ground on Monday evening and the Cobden teams at Cobden Island on Tuesday evening.