HOCKEY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11756, 21 July 1916, Page 7

HOCKEY.

SATURDAY'S GAMES. NOTES AND COMMENTS. (By HALF-BACK.) Although tho ground at Lancaster Park was rather heavy on Saturday the gamo between Addington and Selwyn was genorally fast and interesting. The game oponed in a lively manner, as Addington scored a goal within two minutes of tho start. For the remainder of tho spell Sehvyn held tho upper hand. They played;, with plenty of dash, showing good corabination, and at half-time worn loading by two goals to one. In the eecond spell Addington altered their tactics with considerable success. Moreton, the right back, was instructed to move up closer to tho half line and endeavour to nip in tho bud tho Sehvyn passing rushes. Ho proved adept in this style of play. Addington had much the hotter of this spell, and eventually won by four goals *to two. For the winners Packman, in goal, smartly stopped a number of shots, and used good judgment in clearing. Tho backs, Moreton and. Bellamy, both played well, the former especially registering a very fine performance. Sepio was again tho best of the halves. Stihvcll, at centre half, was also in good form and supported his forwards well when on attack. Smith and Biifton wero the best of the forwards. Chapplo, at insido left, spoiled a lot of his good work by wild, reckless hitting. Innes, on the right wing, was starved, as most of tho play went to tho centre and loft. The Selwyn forwards went splendidly in, the first spell, but wore upset by the taotics of Moreton and Sepio in the second. D. Dorreen and H. Bell were the best of the lino. Joe did a lot of good work in the open, but went to pieoes whon he got near the circle. Morris was tho best of the halves, but he should endeavour to support his forwards better when on attack. F. Waino showed improved form in the right half, position and thoroughly deferred his inclusion-in the" team. B Down, at left half, missed ono or two fiyirtg hits, but otherwise his display was a good ono. The backs, Bugg and Smith, both showed some timely improvement. Johnson, the goalkeeper, took too many risks and did not' show sound judgment when running out to meet' the attack. - m The work of tho referees, Messrs W. Simpson and H. Hatch, is deserving of special mention for tho efficiency displayed. * ■ Cranford played their first senior game, meeting Christchurch -at St Albans Park.' . Tho match was a very ! even one and Christchurch can count themselves lucky in winning. With a ! better knowledge of tho finer pomtß oi itho game Cranford will be a very strong combination. At present thentwo main faults are that thoy hit too hard aud talk too much. Regarding the first point, players should remember that hitting tho ball as hard as possible, whenever it comes along, is not good hockey. Every time tho ball is hit, there should he a definite object in view, haphazard slogging is poor play. As to tho talking indulged in, Cranford will soon find out that it is only a waste of breath and will not help them to win matches. Their goalkeeper, Moore, who was down. on leave from Trentham, performed ! all that ho was called upon to do, in a businesslike manner. Soper was the best of the backs and has the makings of a very fine player. He should endeavour to overcomo his tendency to undercut the ball. His partner, Dunmill, was one of the players who had far too much to say. Lucas, the centre half, was the best player in tho team. Ho registered a very fine performance. Franklin and Harland were tho best of an even forward line. Round, on the left wing, put income good centres. Mander, the left wing, failed to field tho ball on several occasions. A. Cross made a welcome reappearance in the Christchurch team, this being his first gamo this season. Ho played a good gamo and with his partner, Martin, was the mainstay of the j team. After a spell of several weeks, Hutehings again played centre half j and strengthened-the team consider- ! ably. Napier and Stewart, two proj rooted juniors, who played in the forward line, wero not up to Senior form. Stewart also made himself somowhat (conspicuous by'indulging in some unnecessary rough play. George and Beaton wore tho best of tho line. V JUNIOR GAMES. One of the best games of tho day was thafc in the third grade competition between Technical College and Christchurch. Judged by tho form shown in this match, Technical College should have no difficulty m winning tho third grade competition. Thoy aro a good all-round combination. Tho backs, Grammer and Locke, wero both vorv sound, and should develop into high-grade players. The hnhtoi were a good trio, but L. Smith, who occupied tho left position. would > be more successful if ho would get rid of the ball quicker. J. M'Cracken, insido left, was easily the best of the forwards, and was very dangerous in the circle. , Tho Christchurch team possessed a splendid forward line. Thoy put in some splendid passing rushes, but w£ro not supported by the halves, and had to bo content with scoring only ono goal. Townscnd, Hope and .Camoron wore tho best of the line. Graveston, tho right back, played a goad defensive game. SCHOOLBOYS' COMPETITION. Tho first round of the Fifth Grade competition, which is confined to schoolboys, was finished on Saturday last. Sydenham and Christchurch are equal for first place, with four points each, whilo Selwyn aro close up with 3£ points. Tho second round promises to be an interesting one. The best match last week was between Christchurch and Technical College, which was fast and ex-citing all through. Tho teams proved to ho very evenly matched, and it was not-until right on tho call of time that Christchurch scored tho winning goal. Hill and Hardie were the best of the winners' forward i line, while Munday was the pick of tho backs. Ford was tho mainstay of tho College team. Tho following table shows the positions of the teams in the schoolboys' I competition :