HOCKEY

Southland Times, Issue 21073, 3 May 1930, Page 18

HOCKEY

(By

“Half-Back.”)

MEN’S HOCKEY

It was somewhat disappointing last Saturday afternoon to find that, of the six teams who were drawn for play, only three took the field with a full muster.

Collegiate A were to meet Central but, as the latter did not have their full complement of players, they were forced to default. Both teams, however, engaged in a practice match which brought to light some promising form. The players had everything in their favour for the weather conditions were ideal and the ground was in splendid order. The Collegiate forwards played a good game, especially for the opening match, and, with further practice should prove a strong combination. Lockhard (Central) was shaping very well as was his clubmate Hamilton. Ferguson has a bad habit of turning on the ball and was penalized for his breach. In another game that afternoon, similar breaches were committed, Mr Cordery, who was the referee, also having to give several penalties against the offending players. The match between High School A and Civil Service provided a high standard of play, which really surprising when it be remembered it was the first game of the season. Both the clubs put strong teams on the field and the final score of 3 —2 in favour of school fairly summed up the relative merits of the. two teams. School seemed to last the journey better and their fitness told in the dying stages of the game. The pace was very fast all through and some interesting hockey was witnessed. At times there were distinct flashes of brilliance which were particularly encouraging at this early stage. Surgenor and Deacon (Service) were strong on defence and again and again they repulsed the persistent attacks of School’s forwards. McKelvey played a splendid game and, particularly on one occasion in the second spell when Service were continuing io press hard, his work in getting the ball out of danger was brilliant. Roff, in goal, .did good work for School while Anderson as full back, was a tower of strength. He is a good tpye of player who keeps his head under all circumstances. P. Anderson was frequently in the limelight and is promising well. Semmins, despite his diminutive form, was never afraid to stand up to the rushes and he was of yeoman service again and again. Morgan was always handy while Bisset put in several dangerous rushes, repeatedly outwitting several of his opponents. It struck me that several of the School forwards gave up in their efforts when the ball came to Surgenor, who thus was enabled to cooly take strike. Maybe, however, a certain amount of over-eagerness on their part tended to nullify their hard fought advantages just at the critical time. Blee put in some good wing work for Service, several times taking the ball from midway to the circle. He is a reliable man who can always be counted upon to do his share. In Roberts, Service also have a steady player who is showing promise. Abernethy, on the. wing, was always handy. He hails from Wellington and will be an acquisition to the Service. He has a habit of losing his stick, however, due, no doubt, to his being a onehanded player but he will probably remedy this fault in time. Hope (outside left) played a good game considering he was putting in a first appearance. As was perhaps to be expected he was somewhat prone to lose his position but this is a usual slip with a newcomer and as the season progresses, judging by his display on Saturday, he should give a good account of himself. Each of the four men’s clubs are donating a set of posts for the playing areas while Mr Boyd (Rangitata) and Mr Hinton, the referee, have generously given a set of flags apiece. It is actions such as these which will go a long way to putting the sport in Invercargill on a firm basis. The association intends raising funds to provide nets which it is hoped will be obtained in the near future. MEN’S WEDNESDAY COMPETITION The Wednesday’ competition in the men’s section was commenced during the week, and the players were favoured with ideal weather conditions, the grounds being in a splendid playing state which, especially in the High School A v. Rangatata A match, made for fast and interesting hockey. Rangatata B won by default from Collegiate, while the High School B v. Central B was a somewhat uninteresting exhibition, the final score, 3 —l, in favour of Central being a fair indication of the game. Rangatata A, in their match with High School A, were rather disappointing but it must be remembered that School have had the advantage of some weeks’ regular practice, which told its tale on .Wednesday. The Civil Service Saturday team seemed to put up a much better effort against School than did Rangatata on Wednesday. However, on the next occasion when these two teams meet, Rangatata may be confidently expected to extend their youthful opponents to the utmost. McKelvey, Roberts and Hughes combined well on Wednesday and penetrated the defence, again and again. The former played an even better game than he did

against Civil Service last Saturday, and was always reliable. Some of the School men showed a tendency to give their opponents too much time before rushing in to tackle. Hardcastle was not quite as prominent in this match on the Saturday, but Bisset made several promising dashes. Roff, in goal, was very safe, and did not hesitate to kick clear when badly harassed. He uses his head well and should be capable of dealing with all emergencies. The School forwards have a good reserve of speed and their combination was at times quite brilliant. Even at this early stage in the season, School A have given cogent proof of their capabilities and they will prove a tough proposition in both competitions. Rangatata A have a good man in their goalie, Larner, who used to represent Victoria College (Wellington). At one stage, Rangatata played four halves, without a goalie, but the dangerous rushes by School were too precarious to maintain this formation, and Larner went to the goal mouth. He proved sound all through, repeatedly saving almost certain goals. Webster and Woods, as full backs, were also called upon to indulge in plenty of clearing, and were generally at hand at the critical moment. Webster, particularly, played a sterling defensive game, refusing to allow himself to be baffled by the onslaughts. He should be careful, however, not to become 'too cool as he will find that sometimes his calculations may go awry. Brown was in prominence in many likely movements, but the whole Rangatata line seemed incapable of pressing them home. Butler played a good game, his stick work being very pretty 1 on many occasions, while Roberts was always handy though he was somewhat prone to lose his stick in tussles. Sherrifs was Rangatata’s outstanding forward, being in the limelight in all promising movements. Time and again he took the ball from Rangatata’s circle to out of danger and some of his dribbling rushes showed brilliancy.

LADIES' HOCKEY

The Wednesday matches in the ladies’ section were also commenced during the week. The game between High School A and Technical College was postponed until next Tuesday, while High School B won bydefault from Collegiate B. The game between Collegiate A and Union proved fast and interesting, the two spells being marked by dashing play, some of the movements being quite brilliant. L. Baird gave a splendid exhibition of hockey-, and was in the forefront of all the dangerous Collegiate rushes. She has a good burst of speed which stands her in stead when dashing towards the opposing circle, while she does not hesitate to rush in and tackle. L. Porter was also responsible for good work and, on several occasions, by pretty stick work took the ball into the opponents’ territory. P. Guest played her usual sound game, repeatedlyturning defence into attack. N. Thomas was brilliant in defence, and on one occasion saved an almost certain score by- striking the ball in mid-air. The Collegiate full-backs, A. Latta and I. Burrell, were generally reliable and, altogether, the team is an evenly- balanced combination and capable of giving a good account of themselves during the season. The Union players put up a worthy performance and did not let up until the final whistle. M. Clark and A. Conley both figured in many dangerous rushes and were always in the limelight. E. Woodhead played a good game on the -wing,' her stick work being, on occasions, excellent. She is a promising player of whom more should be heard later. E. Burrell was always cool and reliable and worked ilke a Trojan in repelling the Collegiate fast rushes. M. Woods was always in the midst of things and fed' her forwards in good style.