HOCKEY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21992, 29 June 1933, Page 4

HOCKEY

By Centre-half,

POSITIONS OF TEAMS

The positions of the teams engaged in the First Grade competition are now as follows:

SECOND ROUND OPENED With the opening of the second round the competition has now reached a very interesting stage, Albany and University 1 A being level on top with 12 points each. It is worthy of note, also, that each of these teams has scored the same number of goals, although the. goals that have been scored against University exceed Albany's adverse total by two. High School Old Boys A, which is next oh the table with seven points, has scored 10 goals fewer than the leading teams. BalcliVtha and High School Old Boys B are level with six points each, while the draw with Old Boys A on Saturday brought Technical Old Boys up to five, and University B has as yet a " clean .sheet." The matches set down for next Saturday should create a good deal of interest. The encounter between the two High School Old Boys' teams is stiVe to attract some attention, since it will be remembered that in the first round the B's were successful in beating the A's. Whether they will be able to do thi3 again is a matter of some doubt. Balclutha are drawn with University B, and will play their first match in town this season. Although Albany will probably be the favourites in their game with Technical Old Boys, this match Will be watched with a good deal of interest, ns the latter team is one that is likely to spring a surprise at any time. FIRST GRADE COMPETITION .The game at Ova! No. 1 last Saturday between University A and Albany was an interesting one all the way, and although the former was the superior team on the day, Albany put up a stout resistance and kept the students fighting to secure a lead and then retain it. The back divisions were fairly well matched, but the University forwards showed greater thrust and combination, to which they may attribute their victory./ It was noticeable also that when Albany were sorely pressed in the first half they endangered their position by frequent infringements. The University forwards, with the exception of Walton, who was inclined to get out of position too much, all played well, and Stevenson's two goals were the result of enterprise that well merited its reward. The halves were all workers, and a fine display was given by the. fullbacks, Belfietd,. as usual, being prominent with very sound defence and well-directed shots to his outside men. Bickerstaffe. the goal-keeper, was again very safe, and had little chance With the only shot thai, passed him. The Albany team played a somewhat disjointed game, and they were more towards a series of individual efforts rather than combined play. Rennick was always enterprising, and did what he could to open up'the play, and if he .had been given greater support the result might have been different. Thomson, oil the left, played a very fair game, as did- Aiiiger, and Simpson, despite a slight injury to his eye, put in some very determined efforts. Whitburn, as usual, was very sound on defence, and with Twose, the goalie, saved several almost certain shots in one of the tightest moments of the game. The first draw of the season in the First Grade competition occurred on Saturday in the game between High School Old Boys A and Technical Old Boys. The High School forward line had been disorganised by the defection of M'Clatchy, who will probably not play again this season, and his place was taken by Hardcastle, of the B team. Smith, the centre-half, was replaced by Botting, also of the B team. The' forwards played with more combination than usual, and will probably improve as the second round progresses. In the halves the Gurr brothers were very sound, as usual, and Botting played a fair game.. Benny and Brebner, the full-backs, did not have a great amount of work to do, but were always there when called upon. Duckworth, the goalie, was not required to do much.' Technical displayed a lack of combination in the forwards, although the centre (Grant) played a very fair game, arid his goal was the result of an enterprising effort. Bond was the best of the halves, and the backs, with Harris prominent, were kept busy most of the time. Pickup again played a great game in goal, and it was clue to him largely that his team was not defeated. He Was • probably the best player on the ground. Technical is an improved team, and may be expected to show up well during the remaining games of the competition.

WOMEN'S COMPETITION . As predicted. Saturday's matches were all well contested under good conditions, and though in all cases the better teams on the day won their games, the losers can congratulate themselves on putting up determined resistance. In the game, University v. High School, the young scholars played a much better type of hockey than their opponents, and looked like beating the Blue eleven. The students pulled themselves together, in the second spell, and more finished forward work brought its reward. Otago had to battle hard against Dunedin to hold a two to nil advantage at half time. • In the second spell Dunedin put up a stern defensive battle against good forward work to make it an even go in the last 35 minutes. In the match Momona v. Technical Old Girls, the latter again showed rather good defensive tactics, but the forward line lacked the necessary combination to finish off their efforts in the circle. Momona were on the whole an improved team. In the High School—University encounter, playing an open and rather hardhitting game, School had University on the run in the of a fast and interesting game. TThe latter s halt-line lacked sting, and their tackling was\not good. In fact, in the first quarter of an hour it looked all High School. The pace was on and the University backs were hardly fast enough to cope with the School attack. School scored first, and this reverse stirred the students, with the result that the School backs had a hectic time. Solid assistance by Misses Pringle, Marshall, and. Johnson kept the Score down and many University attacks were completely held up. The School forward line, however, lacked the combination required to win matches, and University won by 4 to 1. Although Otago won comfortably, the Dunedin backs put in a meritorious afternoon's work. The play was fast and open in the first spell, each side taking its turn at attack, Otago making the most of two opportunities and Dunedin, failing in their circle work. In the second spell, Otago attacked practically all the time, but found the Dunedin backs in fine form. A feature of the game was the offside play by the Otago centre-forward. Did this player try to beat the referee, or is she entirely ignorant of the rule? She upset many a good Otago forward movement and, had Dunedin been able to score from some of the chances presented to them, she might have cost her side the game. There is really no excuse for a senior player being ; continually penalised for this breach of a rule easy to understand. Otago won a good game by 2 to nil. In the game with Technical Old Girls, Momona were the superior team, but found it difficult to score against good defensive play. The Momona backs played a good, safe game, the tackling of the 'half-line completely upsetting the Technical vanguard. Another thing that lead to the Techuical's defeat Was the

lack of complete understanding between the Technical forwards.. When a forward line relies on individual rather than combined play there is really no chance of penetrating a good set of backs.'Prominent for Technical were Misses Fleming, M'Kay, and Pedlow, and Momoiia. were well served by Misses Connor, Horan, Beckley, and Barnes. An even, well contested* and fast game resulted: Momoiia 3, Technical Old Girls"!. V Next Saturday University .will meet Dunedin.. On the recent form shown this should be a really good game. University have not been impressive Of late, and though Dtinedin Went down to Otnjro on Saturday, they should prove a hard nut; for University to crack. They are a much better team than recent scores indicate. School put up such a good game against University that -they may oe expected fully to extend Momonar. The latter ure making the most of regular night practice, and the meeting of these teams will be watched with interest. Otago will have to improve on form irt the forward line to penetrate the Technical defence." The latter are improving every Saturday -and should they find cohesion in the front division, the Otago backs m&f expect a solid aftcrnoon'fc work. . >■'.

NOTES s. The almost absolute necessity for having two referees for each gams was strikingly demonstrated in one junior match last Saturday, when from start to finish not one decision for a breach of the offside rule was given against either team. The winning team, in fact, scored at least half of its goals from offside play but, leaving anything; of a controversial nature out of the question altogether, it still seems rather improbable that no breach of the offside rule occurred during the game. Owing to a typographical error the result of-the High School Old Boys B University B game on Saturday Was reported on Monday as 5—3, whereas the score was: Old Boys B 5, University B 4. PRIMARY SCHOOLBOYS' GAMES The following are the positions of the teams in the primary schoolboys' competition:—

In the A Grade it is hoped to have three rounds, While there will be only two rounds in the B Grade.. The Normal A team seems to have a good lead: but it has strong opposition in the I Albany Street and Forbury teams, the former team drawing three all and the latter team being beaten only by one goal on each" occasion, The Maori Hill team is exceptionally strong and should come out the Winners, although- they*..have riot as yet played Forbury. ~

Cup P. W. L. I). F. A. Pts. Albany 7 6 1 — 24 5 12 University A 7 6 1 — .24 7 12 H.S.O.B. A 7 3 3 1 14 0 7 Balclutha .. 6 3 3 — 7 12 6 H.S.O.B. B 7 3 4 — 13 26 6 T.C.O.B.. ,. 7 2 4 1 8 11 S University B 7 — 7 — 7 27 —

A GRADE. Goals. P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Normal A. .. 4 3 __ . 14 6 7 Albany St. A 4 2 1 1 22 11 5 Forbury A.. 4 % 2 9 8 4 Cnversham A 4 — 4 — 4 24 — B GRADE. Maori Hill B 4 4 : u_ . ._^ 22 1 8 Forbury B 4 2 _^ 2 6 2 ' 6 Normal B .. 4 2 1 1 10 4 5 Albany St. B 4 1 2 1 3 10 3 Caversham B 4 1 3 6 4 2 Forbury C .. 4 — 4 _ 1 27 ,'_i: