HOCKEY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22294, 21 June 1934, Page 4

HOCKEY

By Centre-half.

FIRST ROUND CONCLUDED

The following are the positions of the teams engaged in the Senior Competition at the conclusion of the first round: —

With the completion of the first round of matches in the Senior Competition Albany, last year’s champions, are again at the head of the list with six points. They have a narrow lead from High School Old Boys and University A, each of whom has five points. In the postponed game between University A and University B, which was played yesterday the former won by 8 goals to 2, The competition is rendered the more interesting by the fact that the next team, Technical Old Boys, is only one point lower,, the remaining team being University B, who have not aa yet won a .game, although’ that docs not reflect correctly the standard of their play. Judging by the form displayed in the first round the four leading teams are fairly evenly matched, and it is difficult to forecast how they may stand at the completion of the next round, which will be commenced on Saturday.

LAST WEEK’S GAMES The game between Albany and University A was played at Tonga Park, which was in good order, but contrary to expectations the encounter did not provide a very exciting game of hockey. The Albany team played with better cohesion than University, and won by three goals to nil. For University, Bickerstaffc again played a useful game, but is inclined to leave his goals too soon when the opposition is advancing after passing his fullbacks. The two full-backs played serviceable games, Cawkwell being the safer. The half line failed to function in its usual good manner, both Allen and Hobson playing poorly. The forward line worked well, but did not have any finish to its movements. Walton made some goo a runs down the right wing and centred well, and he was ably supported by Baton. Hanning, at centre, worked hard, but did not seem to <?et anywhere. Dotting played at both inside-left and left-wing at different stages of the game, but did not show his usual, form. _ This player tries to do too much, especially when playing in the wing position. Albany were on top from the commencement of the game and showed fair combination. Twose. in goal, again played a good game, and at the present time is playing at the top of his form. The full-backs played fair games, but Whitburn is a trifle slow in recovering. The half line excelled themselves. Ward, as usual, was working all the time, while Densem and Curtis played outstanding games. Curtis is very fast on his feet and recovers well, while Densem, on Saturday’s performance, was second to none. The forwards played well, but too much play goes to the left. Renuick, at centre, should watch this. Ainger again played a good game, while Meinung (left-wing* ie inclined to go too far before getting rid of the ball. J. Densem, inside-right, does not study positional play, and consequently does not give Dcy, the right wing, much support. This was evident during the game, the latter player being more or less starved of the ball. During the course of the game the referee at one end had cause on two or three occasions to caution players against appealing and also for pushing their opponents away from the ball. Senior playex's should realise that the referee is there to do Ins best, and that there is no need for apThe game between High School Old Boys and University B was one of varying fortunes. The students had a lead ot two goals to nil at half time, but in the second half Old Boys notched three goals, while University B failed to add to their score. The fact that Old Boys did not score in the first spell was due to no little extent to the excellent goal-keeping of Hercus. The full-backs, also, were on the whole solid, and the halves worked hard without being brilliant. Individually the forwards were going well, but they achieved little, in the way, of combined play. University’s first goal came from a hit from outside the circle, the ball striking Boberts’s stick and glancing off into the net. Not long after the beginning of the game E. Bvebner (University) had the misfortune to sprain an

ankle, and the team played a man short for the rest of the game. Old Boys did most of the attacking in the second half, University failing to get very far when they did break away. Old Boys’ most spectacular goal was scoi'ed by Martin, who leaped to intercept the ball in midair and flicked it into the net. Their forwards combined well, although they found difficulty in passing Hercus. The halves were fair, and F. Brcbner, at fullback, played what was probably bis best game this season, his partner, E. Steele, being shaky. Hayward, the goalie, bad ‘little to do in the second half. SCHOOLBOYS’ GAMES

The following are the positions of teams in the primary schoolboys’ A Grade competition at the end of the first round: —

Fine weather has enabled the successful completion of the first round of the A Grade competition. The four teams competed keenly, and although results show a good lead for Forbury, second round may hold some surprises. Kensington, are new to the game, and did very well in their first attempts. Both the Cavcrsbam and the Maori Hill tcajns have bright prospects if ' they can maintain their present good standard of play. The Caversham team is a fairly good all-round side, possessing some sound players. Their halves are the best jn the A Grade competition, all ’of them being good workers and keen boys. It seems a mistake, however, that their captain, R. Hanvey, is allowed to keep his place as a_ goalkeeper when he could be more useful in the field, both as a player and as captain. A. Collie and J. Ferguson are consistent , players in the half-line. The former should be centre-half because of his good hockey and positional play, while the latter’s position as right-half suits him admirably. W, Sheridan is a big boy and would be a good half if he worked harder. _ Otherwise he should take up the position of full-back. Neither of the full-backs—D. Maine and IV. Veitch— ■■was impressive, the latter playing the better game of the tiro. In fact, they were a bit small for fullJxacks, One should be goalkeeper while Hanvey could then be a full-back. Of the forwards F. Motion was the best. He combined splendidly with the others, being able to take the ball on the run well. He ie a quick and clever inside. E. Moen as centre-forward wag not so good- He should concentrate on sending the ball to the wings instead of hitting it wildly ahead. The other forwards were not too good. Although L. Gerrie can shoot goals, he gets out of position too readily and is inclined to be selfish. A. Goodman is a keen boy, but has yet to learn that a right wing always keeps out near his line, except when coming in to the circle. E. Keane, on the left-wing, wao wag new to his position, played only fairly.

THE WOMEN’S COMPETITION All senior women’s matches at Logan Park last Saturday resulted in good, bard, and fast games, the results on the day’s play giving a good indication of the present strength of the teams. Kings scored a well-deserved win against the University eleven, Momona, just scraped home in the last few minutes against High School, and Otago in the later stages of the game had Dunedin continually on defence. The dryer grounds brought play more up to the required standard, but a number of players found difficulty in maintaining the fast pace. The Kings v. University match left us with a very dissatisfied feeling due to the poor showing of the Blues, who were expected to show some real hockey. Kings played the right game from the start, and University, unable to settle down, never looked like a winning side. The forwards did not combine, with the result that they were seldom dangerous. halves, especially Misses Johnson and Newlande, played well against severe odds, but the full-backs, who have .a reputation to maintain, let their side down badly. Kings, on the other hand, set out to win. In the forwards, Misses 11. Warburfon and R. Cumberbeach played aggressive hockey. The half, line tackled well, Miss Robinson again giving a good display. Misses Sim and Fleming were sound m defence, but both hit without any idea of where the ball was to go. Kings won all the way by four goals to one. Mom on a had a bardec tussle with; School than they expected. The scholars put more dash into their play and continually worried the Momona defence. Misses Pringle, Wilson, and_Bewley put in some good work, while Miss Barnes improved the forward line. Miss M'Grcr.-or spoiled a number of good efforts by taking the ball too tar upfield. It was a hard-fougbt, though bj no means good, game that found Momona winners by two to one, Miss Barnes Having accepted a chance to goal just prior to time being called. In the latter stages of the Otago v. Dunedin match the halt awd ward lines kept up an incessant attack on the Dunedin goal, but Misses Sturgeon and Murtagh put in a good spell of worn and Otago found difficulty in penetrating. Dunedin’s forward work vyas poor, no attempt being made to combine, and, besides. the Otago half, line was too strong. Miss B. Mackie gave an improved disptav: her game,-of- late, has been disappointing: Miss Blagdon is a better half than a forward, and played one ot her best flames of the season. Miss Morton was again sound in defence, was not so one-sided as the score of four to nil would indicate, but, generallj, Otago was on top. with Duuedm making occasional breaks, which, however, did no. look really dangerous. Next Saturday University are to play Otago, and in order to down the leaders the students will have to be afc .top of their form and give a much bettei display than against Kings. Otago pla> best when up it, and are .uie to be a bard side to beat. Still. t r likelv that we have not yet seen Univcr sity at their best, and it. will probablj prove a hard ,game Kings, wbo have improved considerably, are to meet MO mona. This, should be a good match, as both sets of backs play sterling while neither set of forwards is particu larlv brilliant. Momona have disappointed of late, and on recent form it. looks as though Kings will have n.shade the better, of it. High School will nieet Dunedin. Both teams are improving, and each and every one is a trier. It looks like a battle for supremacy in the halt line and as these are fairly, evenly matched, a good game should be witnessed. School played well last Saturday, and Dunedin had a good share of their game.

P. W. D. L. Goals Cup F. A. Ps. Albany 4 2 2 — 8 5 6 H.S.O.B. 4 2 1 1 11 13 5 University A 4 2 1 1 13 8 5 Tech. O.B. 4 1 2 I 8 7.4 University B 4 — — 4 5 14 —

Goals. P.W. L. D. F.A.Pts. Forburj* .. .. 3 93 6 Caversham .. .. 3 1115 5 3 Maori Hill .. ... 3 1 1 1 12 8 3 Kensington .. .. 3 — 3 — 1 11