HOCKEY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 787, 18 August 1916, Page 2

HOCKEY.

J A TIE IN THE FIRST GRADE. The round of the Canterbury Hockey ; Association Senior Competition—the second one this season —was completed | last Saturday, and resulted in a tie between Sydenham and Ohristchurch, the points being as follow:

The association has decided to play oiV (lie final between Christchurcli and Sydenham on Lancaster Park to-mor-row afternoon, and if the ground is in good condition the game should be one of the best seen in Canterbury this season. These teams met on Lancaster Park last Saturday, and the game ended in Sydenham's favour by one goal to nil, but the ground was so wet ami muddy in places that first-class hockey was impossible, ami different conditions will in all probability alter the result. Should the Lancaster Park ground still be wet, through the insufficient drainage of surface water, this important match should be played off somewhere else. There have been too many mud scrambles on Lancaster Park this sea-on, although far better grounds have been available. An Exciting Match. hi spite of the unfavourable conditions underfoot, the contest between" Sydenham and Christchurcli was of exceptional merit, ami the most exciting first grade match of the present competition. Sydenham played with only 10 men, as Bowden was away, and Luxton was moved from the position of goal-keeper to that of right full-back. Owing to the clever play of Luxton and Skelton, and the effective tackling of the Sydenham halves, the Christchurch forwards were unable to make any use of this advantage. In the first half (day was very even, and no score was registered, but in the second half a rearrangement, of the Sydenham team made a decided difference in the play, and was responsible for the game going in its favour. Snell was shifted to his old position at centre-half, Throp to centre-forward, Dufn'eld to inside right, and Paseoe to right half. The combination of the team improved, there was more sting in its attack, and a .better organised defence. The Christchurcli team was weakened by the absence of Heap and Hutchings, and the forward line did not come nji to expectations. George was the only one able to make any impression on the opposing backs, and he was too well marked to be dangerous. Gleeson attempted too much dribbling, an ineffective method of progress on a heavy ground. The backs played well ami did not; give the Sydenham forwards any chances, Martin in particular being in great form. Cranford's Victory. (Vanford and Addington met on the Polo Grounds, and a. very fast and even game ensued, resulting in Cranford registering its first win in the Senior Competition by 2 goals to 1. Addington was handicapped by the absence of Moreton and Tunes, but on the other hand Cranford had to fill several vacancies at the last moment. Although Addington attacked from the initial bully, the Cranford backs soon ganged the strength of the Addington front rank and maintained this advantage all through the game. Chappell was always conspicuous in the Addington forward line, but the sterling defensive tactics of F. Pearce, Lucas, and Soper could not be defeated. Time after time during the second spell the Addington left-wingers broke away, but their work lacked finish, for they rarely got past Pearce or Lucas, and when they did Soper was there to fill the breach. R. Tcmpleton, the Cranford goalkeeper, had little to do, but was weak in clearing. M. Templeton played left full-back in lieu of Dunmill. and acquitted himself creditably. W. Pearce, at left half, was a failure. His repeated infringement of the obstruction rule was more noticeable than in his game against Sydenham. The Cranford forwards appeared to be on their mettle during the first half, but chances were repeatedly lost by the one-handed plrty of Davison. Of the others, Pound was prone to infringe the obstruction rule, and showed lack of judgment in his hitting. Packman, in goal for Addington, gave a good display, marred perhaps by the tw r o goals that were registered against him. Bellamy, as right-threequartcr, ricked his back early in the game, and did not play up to his usual form. He was apt to crowd in on the goalkeeper when pressed.' The half-line played a fairly sound game, the only drawback being that it was inclined to play too far behind the forwards. Chappell and Button were the pick of the forwards, but they Were generally unsupported, in their attempts to score. Gaines, at outside right, was the weak, spot in the line. Cranford's strength lay perhaps on the right wing, whilst Addington relied upon the left, with the result that the play was principally confined to one side of'the field. Lower Grade Matches. Two important matches in the lower grades will be played to-morrow, and in each case the winning team will gain an almost unassailable position at the head of its competition. In the second grade the only unbeaten teams, East Belt and Selwyn, will meet on the Addington Reserve, and in the third grade tho Technical College team, also unbeaten, will meet Ricearton Guild on the Polo Ground. The members of these teams have been in hard training for some time, and the games will be keenly contested. The Selwyn team is the favourite in tho second grade match, and Technical College in the third grade. As anticipated, the Technical College third grade game, played last Saturday, was responsible for some very fine hockey, and the College team was lucky in gaining the verdict by the substantial total of four goals to one. During the greater part of the first half Selwyn held the advantage, and might have scored several more goals had tho forwards played with greater combination. The College team made the most of the few opportunities given to it, and by good combined play broke through the Selwyn defence on three occasions. In the second half Technical College had all the better of the play, but Hamilton, the Selwyn goalkeeper, did particularly good work between tho posts, and onlylet one. shot get, past him. Mr W. Simpson, president of the Canterbury Hockey Association, is to be congratulated on his election to the presidential chair of the Ladies' Associa-

tion. Tins is the iirst occasion on -which the dual position has been, held by one person, and, having a man of Mr Simpson 's ability and enthusiasm as the president of both associations, augurs well for the advancement of the game in Canterbury WIMBLEDON,

Matches. Coals. , -A. —•, , >• , Clip. 1". \V. 1). I., for. ngst. pis CliristdHireh .. 1 It 1 8 :t .'! Sydenham ..I :i — 1 7 I! :i Aldington .. ! 2 •- 2 !> 7 2 Selwyn .. .. •( 1 :: .") 10 1 Ci-anl'ord .... i 1 • :! 2 S 1