MEN’S HOCKEY

Southland Times, Issue 23179, 21 April 1937, Page 14

MEN’S HOCKEY

SATURDAY’S GAMES REVIEWED

(By

"Centre-Forward”)

The men’s hockey season opened on Saturday afternoon under good conditions. It appears that the senior competition will be as keenly-contested this season as in past years. It is riot possible at this stage to say how the teams will improve, but with three good senior teams of more or less equal strength and a fourth team that, although drained of its best players to form a strong Central A team, may yet surprise, it appears that a good season is ahead. On Saturday, the grounds were in better condition than they have been in the past, although one playing area obviously was in need of more attention. It might be said that the day was perfect for hockey. The sun shone for most of the aiternoon, although not glaringly, and the breeze was just sufficiently cold to be bracing and inspire action.

Central A’s Victory Central A deserved its victory over Collegiate on Saturday, although the latter team was certainly not disgraced. Both teams played very well and with plenty of determination. On the majority of occasions Central took the offensive and its constant . attacking kept N. Poole busy in Collegiate s goal, where he brought off some splendid saves. In Central’s half-line, C. McLean and Fields showed good form and were taking advantage of opportunities. Both are players of some experience and without good halves no team can hope to be successful. Cnisnall, in goal, was quite reliable. He is capable of turning aside shots from close range. Lythgoe and Tisbury were dependable backs and the latter, particularly, stood up to his task gamely. The Central forward line went well enough. Maystone and Hughes were, perhaps, most conspicuous among the forwards and played a splendid game. Of equal merit was the work of I. Speirs on the right wing, but Kennedy and Mullen could have played with more dash. At one stage of the game a centring shot by Mullen might have caused an additional point had it been hit with more care and calculation, but it was too fast and a good chance was lost. , , Collegiate fielded a sound team, but perhaps the forward line let it down somewhat on Saturday, Oixon an " Fenton were as reliable as in the past and are good solid backs. Melrose, usually a player of much ability, did not appear quite up to form, but Hunt showed up to advantage in the halves. The forwards failed to combine and many opportunities were lost. On many occasions, when Collegiate was on attack, promising movements broke down through lack of finish. V. Poole was perhaps one of the best forwards and was quick to see possibilities. Shields and Donaldson were at times faulty with their shots. Civil Service’s Prospects If its match against Central B is any indication, Civil Service should be well to the fore this year. While it must be considered that Central was up against a stronger team of more experienced players, its win was a meritorious one. Central had a number of small and younger players in its ranks, so it must be commended on its showing. Jones, a former primary school representative, shaped exceptionally well in goal and did good stopping with his hands, feet and stick. Butler made his first appearance in senior hockey and in the full-back position he played well. Sharp was conspicuous for his speed and was an invaluable half, supported by Oram, who promises to become efficient witn practice, and Elliotte, whose play is steadily improving. The Civil Service forward line was probably the strongest part of the side, with McCormack, Dakin and Rennick prominent m good passing movements and clever stick play. McCormack is an addition to Civil Service and if the club expected much from him on Saturday, it was surely not disappointed. Dakin has taken up the game with renewed vigour and has obviously not forgotten how to employ tactics, particularly the push stroke, for the outwitting of his opponents. Rennick turned out on Saturday and was a strong link in the forward line. Central B started slowly in its first competition game and seemed to become aggressive about halfway through the first half. P. McNamara is an agile and capable goal-keeper and, though the ball went past him a few times, his good defensive work fully justified his position. Brumby scored Central’s one goal; this player shows promise. W. Anderson was prominent among the halves and was ably assisted by R. McLean. There were not many opportunities for good or clever stick work, because the condition of the ground was unfortunately detrimental to good play. The Junior Gaines The honours of the day in the junior competition were carried away by Technical, which walked all over High School in a most one-sided game. School had no chance against a fitter and stronger team and it was not long before the attacking force of Technical asserted itself. The High School A team played a better game and defeated Collegiate B by 11 goals to one. Neither team combined well. H. Poole made a name for himself by scoring nine goals, but the passing of the School team was far from good and individual play was the result. However, the junior competition will be Keenly contested this year

and an improved standard of play should follow dependable coaching. In last week’s notes the number of boys at the Technical College taking up hockey was given as 27 instead of 77.