HOCKEY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23865, 20 July 1939, Page 4

HOCKEY

By Centre-half FIXTURES August 26.—Canterbury v. Otago, at Dunedin and Juniors) September 16.—Otago v. Southland, at Dunedin (senior, junior, and primary schools). SOUTH CANTERBURY MATCH High praise is given to the Otago team which defeated South Canterbury at Timaru on Saturday by 8 goals to 2, in the Timaru Herald’s report, which is given here. South Canterbury proved no match for Otago in the representative match played at Timaru Park. In spite of the disparity. in the scores the game was keenly contested and productive of bright and interesting hockey. The visitors showed themselves to be a team of seasoned tacticians and their clever combination and cool and accurate stickwork at close quarters was more than the homo defence could cope with. The play of the South Canterbury team, while not lacking combination, was distinguished by fine individual work. They held their own in the open play and continually raked the field in swift movements, but lacked the finesse and cool understanding of their opponents at the critical time. Had they been able to force home a fair proportion of the chances which came their way the score would have given a truer indication of the run of the play. The whole Otago front line impressed as a dangerous scoring combination. Both D. Stewart and S. Dobie showed themselves speedy wingers who centred with judgment to the attack of the inside men, A. Alldred, B. Ryburn, and G. Yule. A feature of the Otago play was the attack in the circle, which was not marred by wild and hopeful hitting, but marked by cool manoeuvring for the shot which left no chance to the goalie. An Instance of their combination was the perfect score from a penalty comer. Stewart sent the ball straight to Alldred, who stopped it with his hand, and Ryburn was poised for a shot which left the defence standing. Outstanding among the visitors was Alldred, whose wily stick sent the ball four times Into the net. Alldred showed great coolness under pressure and an uncanny command over the ball both in close work and in the open. B. Andreassand. J. Weaver and C. Mayston led the South Canterbury attack and Andreassand in particular went close to scoring on three occasions. Both wingers, A, Boyd and S. Hughes, played well up to form, while R. Cowles, H. Thomas and T. Cowles were the pick of the backs. The scorers •'or Otago were Alldred (4), Ryburn (2), and Yule (2). Mayston netted for South Canterbury when Otago were 6 up, and Boyd scored the last goal of the match, making the score Otago 8, South Canterbury 2. The junior representative match was won by Otago by 3 goals to 2. GAME WITH EASTERN The game between Otago and Eastern, which was played oh the Oval under poor conditions, was a close match until the final 12 minutes. Up to that stage the score stood at I—all. with Eastern just a little ufilucky not to be in front. It was in the final few minutes that Otago, after a display which could have been better, took the wind out of the visitors’ sails with fast capable hockey in which Webb and Renwick led the revels. Renwick, in those last, few minutes, gave a display which earned him the credit of being the best forward on the field. Webb’s speed gave him two or three goals which were good shots, and he was well supported by Renwick and Ryburn. On the other side of the forward line Alexander was disappointing, and his game did nothing to assist Calvin. Baird was the best of the halves, and Brain, of North Otago, played a useful game, but Fisher, at centre, was never brilliant.

Sherwin, also of North Otagp, was the better of the full-backs. Roberts being uncertain at times. Hercus was excellent in goal throughout; The junior game was closer than the score wofild suggest, Otago’s superior polish in the circle carrying the day.

WOMEN’S NOTES COMPETITION POINTS The following table shows the positions of the teams in the women's A grade competition after last Saturday’s matches:—

SATURDAY’S MATCHES The matches played on Saturday saw the first indication of the final sorting out of the finalists in the competition. The Oval was in soft condition and the weather was cold with a fresh breeze, and the games were not the most enjoyable of the season. Despite the conditions the standard of play was good and some very well-fought games were seen.

Training College justified the confidence placed in it by gaining a victory over University A by six goals to three. This leaves College definitely in the running. It has yet to meet University B and Brighton, and should encounter no difficulty in these matches, but it has the hardest part to do to defeat the leaders—Kings and Otago. Kings added another two points with a win from Momona by nine goals to nil and Otago kept level by defeating Dunedin by five goals to nil. Brighton had a good win over University B by seven goals to nil.

Goals P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Kings .. 10 9 1 — 74 8 18 Otago .. 10 9 1 — 44 7 18 Training Coll. 10 8 2 — 49 11 16 University A 10 7 3 — 26 18 14 Brighton .. 10 3 6 1 12 44 7 Dunedin .. 10 1 6 3 16 39 4 Momona .. 10 1 8 1 20 56 3 University B 10 — 10 — .4 62 0