HOCKEY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22907, 15 June 1936, Page 3

HOCKEY

FIRST ROUND COMPLETED ALBANY RETAINS THE LEAD The first round of matches in the Otago Hockey Association's senior competition was completed on Saturday, when Albany, by defeating University A by two goals to one, retained the lead by a margin of two points. High School Old Boys B and Technical Old Boys are level in third position, each having seven points, and High School Old Boys A are next with six points. Neither University B nor Training College has scored a point. ALBANY v. UNIVERSITY A From the commencement the game between Albany and University A, which was played at Logan Park, was a fast, willing match. Albany had the greater share of attacking and, on the whole, had considerably the better of the game. The score of two goals to one was the result of persistent .work by the Albany forwards, supported excellently by Ward at centre-half, while University's goal came from a fortunate opportunity which enabled Cawkwell to shoot through several of the opposition too fast for anyone to stop the ball. University set up an attack from the start, and Walton sent in a good centre, which was met by Boocock, who cleared at the expense of a corner. Play was more than willing at this stage, and the stick work on both sides was rough. A series of free hits transferred play to the Blues' end, but the efforts were somewhat ragged, and Albany could not And an opening. A corner to Albany saw Hercus clear cleverly, but there was a second corner. 0. Dey shot from the edge of the circle, Rennick intercepting and attempting to goal, but his shooting was not good. After further play in University's half, Meinung had a shot from well out, but he failed to reach his objective. University broke away, Botting taking the ball to Albany's twenty-five, but the Red forwards lost no time in returning, and but for good kicking by Hercus there would have been a score. Albany continued to command a territorial advantage until a good clearance by Wadham sent the ball to the other end, where Ward, who was working at top speed throughout, received and sent to the Dey brothers. Hobson stemmed the attack. The whole Red forward line combined in a good movement, but Cawkwell was ready when 0. Dey centred, and he made a good clearance to the line. Another Albany attack was cleared by Wadham, who conceded a • corner. Hercus was kept very busy, but he was playing better than at any other stage of the competition, and repeated attempts on the goal were kicked clear with speed and accuracy. Albany got away from a 25 yards bully, but Baird rushed in and sent to his forwards. Cawkwell robbed Ainger just when the latter was about to shoot. Walton got away on his own and came near to scoring, but Twose kicked clear at the last minute. From the resulting corner the ball went out to Cawkwell, who sent in neatly to open the scoring. Albany again attacked strongly, but Hercus was safe. The ball went across to Meinung, who had only Hercus to beat, but he hesitated, and Cawkwell ran across to clear. Half time was called.

The second half opened with a fierce bout which failed to achieve anything. The Albany forwards then rallied, and in an excellent combined movement swept down the field. J. Dey sent in to Rennick, who accepted the pass to shoot, Hercus having little chance of stopping the ball. With the scores even, both sides put forth their best efforts. Hobson eet up an attack in midfield, and, with Botting in attendance, went almost to Albany's circle. Wadham failed badly when 0. Dey came down on his own, but Cawkwell rushed across to undo the damage. Albany persistently attacked, and on one occasion a good centre gave Ainger his chance, his shot putting Albany in the lead. The same player had another opportunity, but failed to shoot truly. Trying hard to equalise, University lost no opportunities, and Hobson sent to Botting, who made a good run, which yielded only a corner. The game ended shortly after with the scores: Albany 2 goals University A .. .. 1 goal Messrs D. T. Woodfield and T. H. Mulholland were referees.

HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS A v. UNIVERSITY B

University B put up a good showing in the match against High School Old Boys A, who, however, won by four goals to two. The students were strengthened in the defence by the presence of M'Ewcn—the New Zealand University full-back of the Fijian tour. University opened up the attack with very effective short passes, which necessitated a close watch by the Old Boys' halves. The position was relieved twice, however, by Donovan, who put in two good runs down the right wing, but lost possession over the goal line. Continuing to press, University beat the defence when M'Ewen cleared to Smith and the latter centred for Hubbartl to score the opening'goal. The Old Boys' forwards were right in the circle after that, and in the melee, where University failed to clear, Martin sent in a fast shot. Smart work by Wickham, Reid, and Service saw the latter score with a very good shot. Play continued fast till half time. On resumption Old Boys showed greater enterprise. There was a melee in the circle, but the ball was cleared by M'Ewan. Donovan took the ball well up and centred, Johnston connecting to even the scores. University seemed to lose its earlier combination, for when the ball came to the circle no one cleared. Almost immediately Gurr stepped in to the circle and shot hard to put Old Boys in the lead. Play continued in the Blues' twenty-five, where it stayed until the end of the match, except for a few short passing bouts by Hubbard, Service, and Kyburn, who failed to score with good chances. Martin sent in two hard hits to Moore's pads, the second one glancing off into the net. Time came with the score:—

High School Old Boys A 4 goals. University B 2 goals. Messrs A. Barnes and W. M'Queen were referees.

TECHNICAL OLD BOYS v. TRAINING COLLEGE Technical Old Boys met a considerably improved team when the game against Training College was commenced. College displayed better combination than in any of the earlier games, and on two occasions succeeded in getting through to score The scoring was opened by Technical, but College equalised shortly before half time. In the second spell Technical added another goal, which was equalised by College, but Technical succeeded in scoring the winning goal shortly before the call of time. The gann ended:— Technical Old Boys .. 3 goals •Training College .. 2 goals Messrs A. H. YVheatley and H. F. Payton were referees.

SECOND GRADE

Albany A 4, University C nil. Technical College Old Boys B 3, University D nil. Otago Bovs' Hi<rh School 4, Technical College Old" Bovs .3. University E 7, Technical College Old Boys D 1.

THIRD GRADE Technical A 12, Technical B 2. Otago Boys' High School B 5, Primary Schools nil. WOMEN'S MATCHES OTAGO v. TRAINING COLLEGE. Otago met Training College on Oval No. 1, and the game was well contested all through, with the ball travelling from end to end. There were some fine combined movements by the College forwards, which kept the Otago half and backs fully occupied. The second half started with Otago attacking, and then came a spell of open play. Otago came away again and scored, but it was disallowed, the player being offside. Then some hard and fast play followed, when the College netted the first and only goal. This was a very fine game from a spectator's point of view, but darkness spoilt the latter part, as the ball could not be followed. The game ended: — Training College . .. 1 goal Otago N'l Bl GRADE Brighton 2, Kings nil. Y.W.C.A. 5, Taieri 1. 811 GRADE Otago 1, West Taieri nil. Training College 4, Dunedin 1. West Harbour 5, University 1. C GRADE Bounty 2, Kings 1. Otago 4, University 1. Momona 3, Dunedin 1. SOUTH OTAGO Stirling 1, Clutha nil. Kaitangata defeated Owaka.