HOCKEY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21986, 22 June 1933, Page 4

HOCKEY

By Centre-half.

POSITIONS OF TEAMS The following tables show the position of the teams in' the men’s competitions:—

FIRST GRADE COMPETITION The game at Balclutha last Saturday between the local team and High School Old Boys B wua at all times a fast and interesting one, and Balclutha owed their victory of four goals to one to greater thrust, and the quicker grasping of opportunities. The visitors were by no means outclassed, however, but they were slow to take advantage of chances when they occurred, and when within scoring range they found the Balclutha defence troublesome. The Balclutha team was a decidedly improved one on recent games, and the reshuffle of positions that has taken place is likely to have a-very advantageous effect when the players settle down in their new- places. Cook, who is now playing on the right wing, showed plenty of dash on Saturday, and his speed enabled him on many occasions to beat his opponents, although he would do well to exercise more care in centering. Perhaps the outstanding player wag Every, who filled the left wing position admirably. and was responsible for leading many dangerous attacks in that quarter. Wilson, the centre-forward, was also going very well, and if he had been given greater support, it is probable that there would have been a wider margin between the scores. Brebner, at full-back, was again safe, and White, the goalie, who has the makings of a really good custodian, frequently showed sound judgment in going out to clear the ball when an attack on the goal was imminent. Old Boys had to borrow a local player to make up their team. They concentrated chiefly on the ring wing, where Hanning and the right-half pub in some solid work; but, although the former beat the opposition on a good many occasions his centres usually went begging. The half line was probably the only section in which Balclutha were not stronger than the visitors.

In the game between High School Old Boys A and University A, University owed their win mainly tp the sterling game played by their goalie, Bickerstaff, who had a real day out, and to the fact that their forwards made more of their opportunities than Old Boys did. On the merits of the game a draw would have been a very fair result, as both University goals were, in the broad sense of the word, lucky ones. The Old Boy forwards. unfortunately, spoiled many chances by offside play, while Hanning, when approaching the circle, played the ball far too much to the wing, thus starving the centre-forward, Martin, who consequently had little' to do. Taken all round, the Old Boys’ defence, especially Brebner and Penny, played their best game to date, while Duckworth, in goal; also gave a good display. For University, Botting was the outstanding forward, but he is too prone to bore into the centre. He secured both goals for bis side on Saturday, and in most other games this season has also scored the majority of the goals, a strange position for a left-wing to find himself in. MTlaftie up to the present does not seem to have reproduced the form he showed last year. Belfield and Allan, the iull-backs, ajje probably the best pair in the competition Bclfield, however, is inclined to wait too long before endeavouring to tackle the man, Bickerstaff, in goal, was, as said before, a tower of strength to his side. A noticeable feature of the game was the slowness of both referees in blowing the whistle after infringements.

NOTES A glaring instance of a case where a penalty bully should have been given was missed in a junior match on Saturday. A goalie picked up the ball and threw it over the back line, but only a penalty corner was awarded. Any definite arrangements regarding a South Island tournament are still very nebulous, the latest move being to ascertain whether the tournament should be held on only one day or two. The writer’s opinion is that unless at least six teams are prepared to compete the wisest move would be not to hold the event at all. Notice of motion has been given to rescind the previous motion giving the suspended junior game Albany v. H. 5.0.8. to the winners at the time, and to replay the match, if necessary: Although tlie notice of motion has been given by the Old Boys’ delegate, it is understood that the motion is not meant to be regarded as a direct appeal from that club, which would, however, in the writer’s opinion, be quite justified m putting in a direct appeal.. LADIES’ COMPETITION Saturday’s matches were marked by poor scoring, and the lack of accepted chances by practically every set of forwards in the competition. In what may be regarded as the big match of the day —-University v. Momona —the Blues were really lucky to get away with a draw, the inability of their forwards to direct their shots into goal being the feature of the last 10 minutes of a hard-fought game, ’technical Old Girls did their best against Dunedin, and were full value for their draw. The Dunedin forwards again failed. Otago, although doing their best against Hign School, showed ing form, tne School backs being a thorn in the side of their forward line, ihe games were all well-contested and, on their recent form, the teams lower in .the list may still upset the calculations of those who at present occupy the top positions. . , TT . , In the game between Otago and High School, School did not play very well, but were pood enough to hold Otago to a two-goal victory. The full-backs played a sound game, but were a little inclined to get out of position. The half-line did not get on to the ball and were poor tacklcrs. They lacked the sting of thenopponents, and the forward line were not well served. When they did get chances tlie forwards found the f Otago defence good and they lacked the confidence required in good forward work. The second spell was much harder, and the young School players did well to hold the Otago forwards, whose combined work was poor, though individual players did well. The Otago team’s strength is in their half-line. Miss A. Mackie is undoubtedly the pick of all the half-backs in town. Miss R. Morton was a solid full-back, but too often gets out of position- . . Technical are a vastly improved side, and they did well on Saturday. Dunedin again lost many chances by poor forward work and deserved no more than a draw. It was not a good exhibition of the game. Misses Murtagh and Sturgeon played well, although the latter should curb a tendency to roughness. Mins Sutherland was n good worker. Miss Mehalski scored the only coal for Dunedin, but it was a good pass and not particularly her work which gave her the opportunity to net. Technical arc improving all the time. Miss 6. M‘Kny was a tower of strength to her side, and Misses Pedlow and Fleming put in some good work. A fast and interesting game ended with the score 1 all. The University-Momona encounter was the big game of the day, and Momona all but took the two points in a very interesting game. No one will doubt the superiority of the Blues in the last 10 minutes of the gams, but prior to that Momona were full value, and sorely tried the University backs. For Momona, Miss Barnes was hardly a success at centre-forward, being 100 much inclined to hang back in tho_ half line. The wings improved on their play as the game progressed. The halves tackled well, Misses Horan and Beckly being solid rush-stoppers, good tackling breaking up the Blue attack. Misses Wilson and Connor played sound defensive games,

although the fqrmer was too often out of position. The University forwards threw the game away. In the last stages of the game chance after chance in the circle was missed through over-eagernese, and though many shots passed the post ou cither side they could not finish og their determined attack. The halves did rather well, Misses Campbell and Nowlands doing some good work. The full-backs did not display that surenesa that hag tome to be expected of them. Momona, by their effort of Saturday last, have improved their chance in the competition, and may be expected to provide really good hookey before the season doses. A one-all draw was a good indication of the run of the play. In next Saturday’s games Otago may have difficulty in holding the Dunedin eleven. On the last occasion on which these teams met Dunedin had a full share of the game, and are again expected to produce such good form as to cause trouble to the leaders in the competition. Technical Old Girls have .shown such good form of late that their meeting with Momona should provide a fast and interesting match. High School hold Otago to such a very close score last Saturday that their meeting with the University eleven should add to the interest in the ladder. Next Saturday’s games are all good ones, and the results will be awaited with interest.

FIRST GRADE. P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts Albany .. .. 6 G 23 3 12 University A 5 4 1 — 17 6 8 H.S.O.B. A .. 6 3 3 — 13 8 6 Balclutha 6 3 3 — 7 12 6 T.C.O.B 6 2 4 — 7 10 4 H.S.O.B. B .. 6 2 4 — 8 22 4 University B 5 - - 5 — 3 17 0 SECOND GRADE. University C 4 3 — 1 17 5 7 Albany .. .. 5 3 11 25 6 7 H.S.O.B. Colts 5 3 2 — 23 8 6 Cavcrsham Pres 5 3 2 — 15 8 6 T.C.O.B. B .. 5 14 — 9 22 2 University D 4 ■ — 4 — 2 42 0 THIRD GRADE. T.C.O.B. C .. 3 3 21 5 6 High School A Technical College 3 2 1 — 18 9 4 3 2 1 — 12 'll 4 Primary Schools .. .. 3 12 — 12 12 2 High School B 3 ■ - 3 — 6 15 0 High School C 3 - — 3 — 7 24 0