HOCKEY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1358, 20 June 1918, Page 6

HOCKEY.

SENIOR GAMES REVIEWED. In lust Saturday's games in the Canterbury Hockey Association's ilrst grade competition, Selwyn defeated Sydenham, and the Chocolates are now looked upon as almost certain winners of the competition. There is a good deal to hack up this opinion. Cranford carried too many guns for Christchurch. Selwyn and Sydenham. One of the best games this season was provided in the meeting of Selwyn and Sydenham, at Sydenham Park. The latter side has a reputation of being able to use every trick of the game, so far as science is concerned, and it often attempted this against the Chocolates, who, however, after getting a good lead, managed to yet win by a goal. It was only in the second half that Sydenham succeeded in getting the advantage of play, and, once wound up, the Blue and Blacks did some pretty combined ; work. When in. action the whole of the forward line went very well, and only i smart interceptive work kept Patrick and company from getting in a bigger score. The Blue and Black halves also performed well, although they found the pace set by the Selwyn men a little too hard for them on occasions, and this also applied to the rest of the backs. When on attack, however, the vanguard did some very good work. Selwyn's pace won the game. Every man in the team is speedy, and knows the play pretty well. The eleven has not been beaten this season, and after surviving last Saturday's match can be looked upon as the strongest side of the year. It was thought that with If. Bell away the Chocolate front line would be considerably weakened, but bis absence could not have made any difference from the way the game went. Both wings fed their insides to a nicety, and once they were in possession of the ball, pace and good stick work had Sydenham tied up more than once. Morris serves to stiffen up the half line, and his tactics on Saturday helped his side considerably. Both full-backs were equal to the opposing advances, cutting the ball back in ftne style. The referee had occasion to repeat a warning to a temporarily unfit player in this game that he was not allowed to coach from the line. The player concerned should have found this advice quite unnecessary, for he should by, now know what is right and what wrong on the matter. Christchurch and Cranford.

Some good hockey was also seen in the. other game—Cranford v. Christchurch. The St. Albans boys threw in for a score soon after commencing, and by smart work among the forwards wore the Whites down until a goal was put through. Christchurch took a hand at attacking, but poor circle play kept it out, and it was not until Cranford had sent through another couple of goals that the Whites put on a score. 'Die work of the Cranford forwards brought the side out the winners, their play showing more crispness than that of their opponents. Solo tactics are to be deprecated most times in hockey, but with an uneven team they can be worked with advantage, and so it was proved by the work of Faulk-

ner, although ail the forwards showed improvement. Tin' St. Albans boys' back play proved a foil to the Christchurch attacks, and the useful passes fed to the men in front of them helped the team considerably. Christchurch has not a strong forward line, but it is capable of good play at times, as was demonstrated in the closing stages of the game. The left wing is not very Strong. The halves are a comparatively smart trio, and, although it has undergone a change, the full back division is a very solid oiu". Christchurch has suffered - like other teams—from losing some of its best players. Canterbury v, Otag:o. The Canterbury Association has decided to send a representative team to Dunedin to meet Otago on August 3. It will lie remembered that the parent body decided to encourage the idea of holding interprovincial matches this year, and delegates were very keen that they should lie resumed. Canterbury should be able to muster a smart team if it is not left till too late —combination is a great essential, and the authorities would do well to bear this in mind. BULLY OFF. CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION. The executive of the Canterbury Hockey Association met last evening, there being present:—Messrs W. Simpson (chairman), S. U. Holland, H. Locke, S. Morris, C. Bellamy, J. Soper, P. N. Quartermain, H. Luxton, and H. Rogers (hon. secretary). It was decided to send a representative team to Dunedin to play Otago on August ;!. .Messrs Simpson, Rankin, and Ballinger were appointed Canterbury selectors. The Cranford Club was granted permission to withdraw its third grade A team from the competition. It was resolved that in future all matches should commence at 2.45 p.m. sharp.