ALBANY SUCCEEDS IN BRIGHT GAME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27093, 30 May 1949, Page 2

ALBANY SUCCEEDS IN BRIGHT GAME

HOC KEY

Albany was fully extended on Saturday to defeat University A by 4 goals to 3 in one of the brightest games seen In the senior men’s hockey competition this season. The game was played at.. Tonga Park, where the surface was in good order. Although High School Old Boys defeated Training College by 8 goals to nil in the early game at Tonga Park, there was not that much difference between the teams, but Old Boys had the edge on their‘ opponents. University B caused a surprise when it defeated the promising Wesley team by 5 goals to 4, while Technical Old Boys defeated Collegiate by 4 goals to 2 in the other game at Tonga Park. Results:— Albany 4, University A 3. High School Old Boys 8, Training College nil. University B 5, tyesley 4. Technical Old Boys 4, Collegiate 2. POSITION OF TEAMS After six games in the first round of the competition, championship points are as follows: —

ALBANY MAINTAINS LEAD Albany maintained its lead in the competition when it defeated University A by 4 goals to 3, and it remains the only unbeaten team. The Albany forwards had the University backs defending hard in the first few minutes of the game and they looked \as though they would win comfortably. After 10 minutes, however, the University forwards rallied, keeping Albany well within their own half. Both sets of backs defended well, and the forwards were given plenty of opportunities to open the. score. Albany drew first blood when R. Smith netted from close In. Play swung to the other end of the field, and A. Goulding equalised when he caught the Albany backs out of tlon. The Albany left flank was its main attacking force, G. McGregor, left-inside, putting his team one goal up when he netted with a fine shot. Play-' swung rapidly from one end of the field to the other, the University short passing among the forwards finding the Albany defence In difficulties. H. Crooks brought the scores level when he shot hard at goal, the ball being deflected by a University player. Just on half-time. University went! into the lead when R. More won a penalty bully from W. Carr, the Albany goal-keeper. Play was very open in the second half, both sets of forwards swinging the ball from one side of the field to the other. The passing of all the halves was accurate and their defence was sound. Albany drew - equal when J. Robertson, the centre-forward, who was prominent In all Albany’s forward movements, scored with a shot that gave the goal-keeper little chance. B. Tuson, left full-back for University, retired with an injured knee, and he was replaced by D. Mulheran. The Albany forwards continued to show more polish than their opponents and they went into the lead when Robertson scored again. Albany was hard pressed by University in the closing stages of the game but held its lead. BRIGHT GAME In a bright game, High School Old Boys accounted for Training College by 8 goals to nil after leading 4—nil at half time. Old Boys went into the lead early when V. A. C. McArley scored. They did not have the run of play all the way, and the Training College forwards looked dangerous until they reached the circle, when they were too slow to take advantage of any openings. D. St. John gave a grand display at left-inside for Old Boys, and he completely beat the defence when he netted from well out. A few minutes later he scored again with a fine shot from a difficult angle. On his recent form St. John should be In the running for the Otago team this vear. His stick work is neat, and his positional play cannot be faulted.. McArley scored again just before half time, putting his team four goals up. The Training College backs defended solidly in the second half, but the forwards could not take advantage of the ball, their passing being most erratic. G. Wright, centre-forward, won a penalty bully and a few minutes later L. Gurr netted following a melee in the circle. Wright scored two more good goals, the game ending with Old Boys 8 goals up. WESLEY’S SURPRISE DEFEAT University B caused the surprise of the day when it defeated Wesley by 5 goals to 4in a ragged game at the Oval. University showed greatly-improved play in all phases of the game, and thoroughly deserved its win. The Wesley team appeared to have a day off. K. Ibbotson (2), A. Shaw, and J. Anderson scored for University, and N. Kitchin (31 and C. Ley scored for the losers. Play for the most part was ragged, and at half time tne score was I—all. Play deteriorated in the second "half, and although Wesley led for the first few minutes University rallied and took control. Its forwards had by far the best of the closing stages of the game .and managed to hold its slight advantage. TECHNICAL OLD BOYS WIN

Collegiate looked as though it would record its first win of the season when two quick goals by S. Swift early in the game put it in the lead. Technical Old Boys took some time to settle down, and at half time led 3—2. Neither team was at full strength, and this may account for much of the ragged play which marred the second half of the game. J. Alexander scored all three goals for Technical in the first half, and he also netted again in the second half, making the final score 4—2. The Collegiate defence did not put much life into its play, and some of Technical’s goals were “ gifts." Collegiate has been improving with every game and should recora a win in the near future. The Technical forwards provided many bright incidents, and with Alexander at their head they were unlucky not to score more goals.

OTHER GRADES Second Grade Opoho 5, University C 3. Taieri 3, Albany B 2. Third Grade ’’ Technical Old Boys 3, King’s B nil. \ Otago Boys’ High School 7, University King Edward Technical 4. University D Albany C 3, United B 2. OTHER CENTRES Christchurch.—Sydenham 2, Technical 1; Trinity 2, Varsity 1; Selwyn 6, Woolston 1 Wellington.—Wellington College Old Boys 5. Wellington nil; Karori B 1. Petone nil; Varsity 5, Army 2; Karori A 5. Hutt nil; Technical Old Boys B 12, Huia 2. ■ *

Albany P. 6 W. 6 L. D. Pts. 12 H.S. Old Boys .. .. 6 5 1 — 10 Wesley 6 3 3 — 6 Tech. Old Boys .. 6 3 3 — 6 University A .. .. 5 2 3 — 4 Training College .. 5 2 3 — 4 University B .. .. 6 2 4 — 4 Collegiate 6 — 6 . —