HOCKEY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 793, 25 August 1916, Page 2

HOCKEY.

CHRISTCHURCH'S FINE PERFORMANCE.

The Christchurch team is to be congratulated on its play against Sydenham in the first grade final last Saturday. The game was undoubtedly the best of the season, and the display given by Christchurch was much better than any of its previous exhibitions. The team seemed all out to win, and on the day's play outclassed Sydenham in all departments of the game. Sydenham was handicapped, as Snell was suffering from a bruised shoulder, and was unable to play with his usual confidence and determination, and 0. Butterficld, who made his first appearance this season, did not play anything like up to the form of Patrick, whose place he filled. Tt is doubtful, however, whether Sydenham at its best could come up to the form shown by Christchurch. The lackadaisical style, often apparent in the Christchurch team, entirely disappeared, and in its place there was so much vigour that the issue was not in doubt after the first ten or fifteen minutes' play. A Well-Balanced Team. The winning team was well balanced, every man doing his share of the work, and doing it well. Sydenham tried hard to find a weak spot -through which an attack could be driven home, but without effect. Even when a penalty bully was awarded Sydenham for obstruction, by Jones, the Christchurch goalkeeper tackled the job like a veteran, and cleared by a performance he probably could not repeat if given another 99 chances. The improvement in the Christchurch team since the commencement of the season has been remarkable, especially in the case of the younger members. The surprise of the game was the dash and combination of the Christchurch forwards. George, in the centre, effectually controlled the line, making many openings, feeding both wings with judgment. Cotton, inside right, gave his best exhibition this season, and his combined play with Beaton was at times of a very high order. Beaton, on the right wing, was brilliant, and played the best forward game on the ground. His two goals were shot from difficult angles, and were preceded by clever stick play. Wilson and Gleeson, on the right, did a lot of hard work well, having to contend with the strongest section of the Sydenham rearguard. The halves were a very even lot, and kept the pace going all through the game. Their fielding and passing were always good, but at times they were unable to prevent the Sydenham forwards from smothering free hits or drives by Martin and Cross. Hutching?, in the centre, was inclined to wander, and, although his trips behind the full-backs enabled him to clear from several tight corners, he would have done more good by tackling the opposing forwards before they got to the full-backs. Martin, at right full-back, was prominent all through the game", and frequently baffled the whole Sydenham forward line. Cross was safe, and his hitting was clean and well-timed. Jones, in goal, did all that was required of him in good style. Sydenham Forwards Patchy.

The Sydenham forwards were patchy and lacked combination, although their individual play was good. Throp, in the centre, spoilt what was otherwise a good performance by giving passes too short to draw the Christehurch fullbacks away to the side lines. When play reached the Christehurch circle the Sydenham forwards bunched, and Martin and Cross had little difficulty in clearing. Duffield and Jacobs were both good in open play, but seldom dangerous in the circle. The Sydenham backs all played well, and had Snell been fit the opposing forwards would not have been long able to maintain an advantage. The match was played on the Technical College ground, at Ensor's Road, which was firm and dry, although Lancaster Park was wet and muddy. The surface was inclined to be rough, and showed the marks of being played on in wet weather, but the ball travelled true and fast, and did no': rise. Players expressed satisfaction at the condition of the ground, a fact which thoroughly justifies the action of the Competitions Committee in putting a first grade final on a second grade ground. The Lower Grades. By defeating East Belt by two goals to one, the Selwyn second grade team has the competition well in hand, and should prove ultimately to be the winner. The game commenced in the East Belt team's favour, Anderson, in the forwards, and Hall, in the backs, giving the Selwynites a lot of trouble, and Belt scored the first goal. These two players, however, could not keep the pace going, and in the second half Selwyn held a decided advantage, and was able to notch the winning goal. The only match played in the third grade was that between Eicearton Guild and Technical College, on the Polo Ground, and as it ended in a draw, with three goals each, both teams still retain their records of being unbeaten this season. The ground was in a wretched condition, some parts being under water, and such an important game should not have been played there when better grounds were- available. The heavy going was to the advantage of the Guild team, who played a slogging game, and in the opening stages had things very much their own way, Hurrcll netting their first goal a few minutes after play commenced. College then rallied, and good work by Ford and Wright enabled the latter to find the net. Each side made desperate efforts to secure a lead, and Guild's efforts were rewarded just on half-time. On resuming play, Guild set up a determined attack, and only the fine defence of the Technical backs kept down the score. During a scramble in the circle, Wilson, the green's goal-keeper, obstructed Scott, who scored Guild's third goal from the ensuing penalty bully. College rallied and attacked in a very determined manner, and after several fruitless shots Lamb put in a beauty from the edge of the circle. This stimulated the greens, who from now on played a splendid game both in attack and defence. There was no denying the combination of the forward line, and McCracken made a fine opening, but was badly obstructed, and a penalty bully resulted. The defence again obstructed, and the referee awarded a penalty goal, equalising the scores just before time was called. The Guild backs were never really strong

but the ground was in their favour. What was lackiug in the backs was made up by the forwards, French, Scott, and Hodder being always dangerous, and the line as a whole played very consistently. Locke and Crammer, the College full-backs, played well, and deserve credit for their solid defence. Smith, the left half, was easily the best back on the ground. Crocker played a very consistent game, and was responsible for some clever tackling. McCraeken was the pick of the forward line, being always dangerous, and was ably assisted by both Lamb and Wright. WIMBLEDON.