HOCKEY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23504, 19 May 1938, Page 4

HOCKEY

By Centre-half

FIXTURES July 4 to 9.—Universities' tournament. July 7.—Otago v. India. j u lv g._New Zealand Universities v. India. THE SENIOR COMPETITION The following table shows the positions of the teams in the senior competition:— „ , Goals

SECOND GRADE The following table shows the positions of the teams in the reorganised Second Grade competition.— Goals

ALBANY v. TECHNICAL OLD BOYS So far this season Pickup, Technical Old Boys' goalkeeper, has failed to reach the standard which got him a place in the Otago team of a year or two ago. His display on Saturday showed little improvement on that of earlier games this season. Harris was the outstanding player of the Technical team. He was fast and his clearances were crisp and always well placed. Though he turned out this season, it is said, only to fill a gap in the team, his play in each game has been such that the selector will scarcely be able to overlook him. His partner, Coxhead, worked hard on Saturday, and should be a useful back when he has gained more experience. Bond played a good game at centre-half, but showed a tendency to hold the ball unduly long instead of getting it away to his forwards as quickly as possible. Campbell was probably the best of the forwards, but he did not always send in his centres as early as he might have, and his inside men consequently did not receive as many opportunities as he set out to make for them. The centre-forward kept up with Campbell, and might have scored more goals if given the ball. One or two of Albany's players showed up to excellent advantage on Saturday, and the team appeared to be more at home on the field than in the earlier games. Densem did not get a great deal of work to do in goals, and while one of the Technical goals would not have been easily stopped, the other was not a difficult one. It is unfortunate for Albany that Boocock has suffered a knee injury which may keep him out of the game for the rest of the season. The club is hopeful that the position may not be so serious as has been reported and that he may yet be able to return to active play. Bedford gave a fine display at full-back, and was more than up to the standard set by Boocock in the last few seasons. Cuthbert, the other back, was not fast enough in returning the ball when he stopped it. Simpson played his usual steady game in the half line but was frequently found too far back and unready to assist the forwards when needed. On his game on Saturday. Galland should not tail to catch the selector's eye. He was always m position, and his passes to the forwards were well calculated a. mensem played steadilv at centre-half, and used his experience to good advantage Better combination was apparent in the forward line than has been the case so far this season Shimoton settled down well to the centre position and received valuable help for Rennick. playing inside right it is reported that the club selectors have considered regrading Stewart to junior grade but the reasons for this were far from apparent on Saturday, when he played inside-left and combined with the others excellently Though small. Stewart has speed, his stick work is good, and there seems little reason why he should not make good in his new place.

OLD BOYS v. COLLEGE Old Boys turned out with their team substantially rearranged for the match with Training College on Saturday, and the various alterations—affecting the forward line principally—appeared to improve the play considerably Indeed, the Old Boys' forward line was one of the strongest seen in Dunedin for a long time and did not compare unfavourably with the. deadly attacking division of University A. Wellington came up from the nar-es to take the right-wing position, ana he nut plenty of dash into his efforts, irequentlv taking the ball to a handy position and sending in crisp centres of which the inside men made the very best use. Webb was played at the centre-forward position doing excellent work with accurate goal shots and seldom allowing himself to forget the value of following in * Two of Old Bovs' goals came from such tactics Webb and Edginton. the latter filling the inside left position, combined well and it was. to a great extent, to this partnership that the team's score was so high. Martin, inside-right, did not have manv opportunities, but he was always handy to support the others while Williams the left-wing sent in some telling passes which gave the inside players valuable openings Gurr gave an'exceptionally good display ai centre-half, and was seldom found out of position, and he worked hard whichever way the play went. Callon was of good service to his side in goal, getting out of one very tight situation with credit. College put up a tine tight considering the tact that several juniors, and inexperienced players were in the team Several good solo runs were made by Bothng on the left wing, Out he did not receive the support due lo him from inside, and on many occasions his centres were not taken.

Hughes, centre-forward, and Corbet, inside-right, were probably the outstanding forwards, both being hard workers. If an inside-left could be found to combine well with Botting, College would have a good forward line. Low, who took McNamaras place in goals, seemed to suffer from nervousness at first, but in the second spell he settled down and played in a manner which fully justified his inclusion in the team. UNIVERSITY B v. COLLEGIATE The University B team put up a showing last Saturday, when it defeated Collegiate decisively by five goals to one. Although neither side had its full complement, the teams provided an attractive display of hockey. For University, Boyd (right-wing) played a better game, being able to connect with the passes sent to him both from the forward and, half line. His centres became more accurate, too, resulting in goals. The two inside men —Alexander and Woods—combined well enough, the former securing two nice goals, while the latter missed on at least three occasions by the narrowest of margins. Shaw, at centre-half, showed up best, for he seemed to be always where he was wanted Had he fed his left-wing as much as the right he would have varied the play more with advantage to his team. Watson (left-half) was safe, but could hit harder, and Miller (right) showed promise. Aldridge was the safer of the two full-backs, his stopping and clearing being much cleaner than that of Newlands. Hercus (in goal) had an easy day, but cleared very well when called upon. He is certainly the best goal-keeper that University B has had.

Collegiate lacked cohesion in most of its movements, although some of the individual play ,was good. Johnson was able to secure the ball in the bullyoffs, but neither of his inside men was able to connect and follow up the advantage. Felton was good at right inside; but perhaps the best of the Collegiate players was Otway (centrehalf). He was kept busy all day, but was equal to it, being very fit. The veteran full-backs—Munro and Tyrell —were as good as ever, spoiling many of the students' most promising attacks. They had only one fault, and that was that when they were awarded a free hit they were far too slow in taking it, with the result that they gained no advantage, for the opposing side were ready waiting for them. Carr (goalie) showed initiative and good anticipation, but he was inclined to overdo the rushing out. On one occasion he fell on the ball in his eagerness to save a goal, and was lucky not to have a penalty bully or possibly a penalty goal awarded against him.

THE INDIAN TEAM The personnel of the touring Indian team was announced last week, and it is found that three members were in the team which came to New Zealand in 1935. . They are Mohammed Hussein (full-back),. Shahabuddin (right-wing), and P. Fernandes (leftwing). Hussain, who was 23 years of age on his first visit here, is regarded as a particularly brilliant full-back, both in hockey and football. Shahabuddin was aged 26 years on the occasion of the 1935 visit, and has been playing hockey since he was 12. He is considered to be the best right-wing in India. Fernandes, aged 23 years now, is not only a remarkably good left-wing, but has also earned an enviable reputation as a cricketer. Details about the other members of the team have not yet come to hand, but the New Zealand Hockey Association has been advised that they will be supplied at an early date.

P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts H.S. Old Boys . .43 — 1 17 6 7 University A .33 — — 19 4 6 Albany .431 — 14 11 6 University B .312 — 662 Technical O.B. .3—2 — 5 18 1 Training Col. .. 4 — 3 1 6 15 1 Collegiate 3—2 1 4 11 1

P. W. L. U F. A. Pts. H.S.O.B. Colts 4 4 — — 23 2 8 Albany A 4 3 — 1 14 5 7 T.C.O.B. 4 3 1 — 6 3 G High School .. 3 2 — 1 15 3 5 Y.M.C.A. 4 1 1 2 11 17 4 University D 3 1 1 1 6 13 3 University C 3 1 2 10 10 2 Training Col. 3—2 1 2 8 1 Wesley . .. 4—4 — 1 16 - Albany B. 4—4 — 2 13 —