HOCKEY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 763, 21 July 1916, Page 2

HOCKEY.

LAST WEEK'S PLAY. The promotion of the Cranford team to first grade hockey introduced an element of uncertainty into the competition, as many were doubtful whether this team would be able to hold its own against older and more experienced players. In the past, second grade teams making their first appearance in the higher grade have been badly defeated, but this was not the case with the Canford team. It met Christcliureh on St. Albans Park, and the fast and even game which resulted, proved that, although having a lot to learn, the team was quite worthy of a place in the senior ranks and with a little more experience would win matches. The Christchureli team, on account of the absence of Gleeson and Heap, was weaker than on the previous Saturday when it defeated Addington, but nevertheless it was quite up to the average strength of first-grade teams. Speaking generally, there was little difference between the teams on the days play, but that little was in Cranford's favour. In the open Cranford usually held the Advantage, bu; the Christcliureh players, when on the defensive, knew too many of the finer points of the game and were able to prevent Cranford from scoring. The Cranford forward line played with dash and combination, but were too much inclined to bunch when near their opponents' circle. They have yet to learn that in senior hockey one or two good forwards in the circle are more likely to score than four or five. Two full-backs and a goal-keeper in the circle are more than n match for five forwards, and consequently some of the forwards must endeavour to draw the full-backs out towards the side lines. The Cranford forwards were often in the circle getting in each Other's way, when they should have b.eon outside ready to jump in and shoot if the opportunity offered. Quartermaiu, in the centre, showed good shooting ability, but was not given any easy chances.

The half-line, particularly Lucas at centre, and F. Pearee on the right, were, brilliant, and frequently out-play-ed the Ohristchurch halves. Soper, the .right- full-back, spoilt a splendid performance by under-cutting, the result of an incorrect method of hitting the ball when his stick is on the upward swing. His colleague, Dunmill, was always safe and capably bore the brunt of the Ohristchurch attack. Moore, in goal, saved well and used good judgment in going out to meet the opposing forwards. The Ohristchurch team did not play up to expectations, the bulk of the work falling to the lot of the best men. Martin was kept busy, but was quite capable of dealing with the Cranford forwards, llutchings, at centre half, was inclined to dribble when he should have passed to the forwards. Wilson and Cameron, tin? wings, showed improved form. George and Beaton were the pick of the forwards, and were prominent in all attacks. The only goal of the game, scored b\ r Geofge from a "penalty corner," was th;<S rganlt of clever stick play. Jn the Addington-Selwyn match,. Selwyn had the better of the first spell, but Addington reversed the position in the second half. Although Addington scored .within a minute of the commencement of the game, Selwyn held the advantage for the remainder of the spell and scored two goals. The Sehvyn backs seemed to lose confidence in the second spell, and the Addington forwards had little difficulty in notching three more goals ami winning by the fair margin of four to two. .Tohuson, the Sehvyn goal-keeper, weakened his defence .by allowing himself to be drawn out by the Addington forwards. lie should either keep between the posts or meet an attacking forward on the edge of the circle. There was a lack of combined play on the part of the Sclwyn backs. Eugg, the right fullback, showed improvement, but the lialves were patchy. The Addington backs were worried bythe attacks of the Selwyn forwards in the early stages of the game, but soon settled down to solid defence. SfiHwetl, the Addington centre half. while playing a steady consistent game, lacked initiative. The , line would probably be improved if he and Sepio were to change places. The forwards made good use of their opportunities and continually had the Selwyn backs in difficulties- To-morrow AVilson will make his last appearance in the Addington team this season as he goes into camp with the 10th "Reinforcement. This will mean a, serious loss, to the team as his play has been of a very high standard.

In the Lower Grades. The Canterbury Nockov Association has rlc<;i<le<l that Hip final of the preliminary third grade competition will be played off between Woo! «tou and Technical College on the Colo Ground to-morrow, and that the games drawn for these teams in their respective rounds are to be played at the cod of the present round, if the results are likely to affect the second competition. It was suggested that the competition should be awarded to Wool-ton, as they had scored more goals than lh" College lento, but unfortunately this did not find favour with the majority of the members of the association. Goals cannot be o standard for judging the merits of teams, as it is quite possible for teams strong in attack to [day a drawn game with live or six goals apiece, while teams strong in defence might draw without, scoring. The preliminary third grade competition has resulted:in-some very evenly contested games, and there is no doubt that the deciding match tomorrow between Woolston and 'technical College will be one of the most, exciting played in Christchnrcli this season.

J'.y defeating Belfast last Saturday by three goals to one, the Wools!on team proved itself worthy of promotion to the second grade. This demonstrates thai Riecartou Guild and Technical College, neither of whom were beaten in the third grade compel it ion. sire also quite capable of competing against the teams in a higher grade. It would lie the mean-; of improving their hockey if they also were given a chance of doing

Although in the previous contest the Chnstrhiireh third grade team played Jin even game against Technical ColiJege, aud were only beaten by tlie

I narrow margin of three goals (o two, ; (he game between these teams last Saturday, played at Elisor's Koad, resulted in :i win for College by four goals to I one. At (lie commencement of (lie game the Christcliureh barks were very aggressive, and the greens were penned up in their own twenty-five. Good piny by the. forwards enabled Townsend to score their only goal. After this the Ohristchureh halves weakened, and the College team broke down their opponents' defence, and Ford scored from a centre by Lamb. A few minutes later Lamb scored a good goal from a difficult angle, after a splendid run down (he line, and Wright also sent in a beauty from the left just before half time was called. In the second half ■ College had things a good deal to themselves, ;.'lf hough the scoring was kept down by Ihe excellent defence of tin.' ' Christchureli bsn-ks. MeCracken was the only player to register a goal. Wigmore was the pick of the Christchureli half line, and put in some good work both in attack and defence. Hope, the Christcliureh left wing forward, played well, but spoilt several good chances • by not fielding passes from the backs. The Christcliureh goalkeeper was an acquisition to his side, and saved cleverly. Townsend played his usual good game in the forward line, and was conspicuous in all attacks. MeCracken and Lamb were the best of the College forwards, and kept the Christclnireli backs busy throughout. Smith was easily the pick of the halves, and was responsible for some good work. Crammer nnd 1.0, k, the full backs, both played well. (•rammer's performance was very creditable for a player brought up from a lower grade. Wilson, in goal, was very safe, and saved some hot shots. The Selwyn Technical so-ond grade game, played at Elisor's Road. resnlfi'd in an easy win for Selwyn, the College team being badly handicapped through the absence of its goalkeeper. The Selwyn players were individually good, and at times showed fair combination. Evans, at full-back, was conspicuous for his smartness in intercepting the passes of the opposing forwards, his slick play being excellent. Patterson was the pick of the halves, doing very good work both in attack and defence. Turn penny played a solid game, but his style is detrimental to good hockey. The forwards showed good combination, but were weak in the circle. The majority of goals scored by them would probably have been prevented if the College team had not been without a goalkeeper. The College forwards showed improvement, but lacked combination. Hooper and Croker were both responsible for some good individual play. Tarcoinbe 's stick work was poor. Kennedy and Wilson, in the half-line, both played well.

The Canterbury Hockey Association has decided to hold another ''hockey talk" at the Y.M.O.A. on Wednesday. August .'l. at 7.-'itl p.m. This will give players a chance to freely discuss anything that is likely to be of advantage to the game. The matches in the lower grades set down for the following Saturday, August 5, have been postponed, as a compulsory parade for Senior CV lets, has been arranged for that day by the Defence authorities. The first grade matches will be played that day if teams are hot affected by the parade. « Last pvC-Titiiy the Cranford Club held a social to farewell four of its members, Messrs T. Craighead, S. Moore, L. Hunt, and C. Vincent, who are home on their final leave. AH these men have been prominent members of the club. 0. Vincent held the position of secretary for some years. We wish them the best of luck. WIMBLEDON.