HOCKEY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12063, 18 July 1917, Page 3

HOCKEY.

NOTES BY "CENTRE-HALF." j Saturday provided what were probably the two hest games this season, as the four leading teams were pitted against each other, Sydenham meeting Selwyn at Sydenham Bark and Cranford playing Addington Technical at Elisor's Road. In tho first refund Selwyn drew with the Blue and Blacks, and as both teams Ave re right after the igamo it was anticipated that a close; contest would result on Saturday. In the first game between Cranford and Addington Technical the latter team Avon by seven goals to nil, but as the Cranford tea.ni had made a draw Avith Sehvyn the previous Aveek there was no lack of supporters for the Black and White.

Tile results of the matches leaves the three leading teams in very interesting positions, as Sehvyn only lead by half a, point, Sydenham and Addington Technical being next Avith seven points each. Cranford are by no means out of it, as they are only two points loAver on tho list, and Christchurch are such an uncertain quantity that they may create a. surprise any day. They have the unique distinction of being the only team to defeat Sehvyn. The Sydenham team dispensed with most of their young players, retaining only Woodfield in the fonvards and Snooks in goal. Whether this course jwas wise is a matter of opinion, but the putting out of Limb, avlio has only one more Saturday before going into camp, can hardly be called sportsmanlike, and i.s certainly not in the interest of the younger players. Toaguo has also earned his place in the team, and J think Sydenham would have been Aviser to have given some, of the older hands a spell, not necessarily the same, ones eaeh iveek, 1/iifc turn and turn about. However, that is a matter which concerns the club alone.

Kvidently both teams had turned up prepared for a tussle, as all players were showing signs of being overanxious, which led to a great number of breaches of the rules. There is no doubt that Selwyn Twd the. best of the. /game, and their pace and stick work, stood them in good stead; but unfortunately a bad habit of giving stick* in tho circle lost many chances of scoring.

The Selwyn full-back, -T. Tlobb, who wa.s playing bis first game this season, had an easy time, as E. 11. Smith and W. Hay ivere both on their mettle as full-backs, aiul the. actual chances of Sydenham scoring were very few. Hay ■played a great game, and was excejv tionally quick in getting his hit in and recovering his positionj while Smith, although a hit slower, was very cool.

M. .Morris was the best of a good halfline and showed, exceptional ability in beating his man. L. Evans, who is playing Senior for his first season, will make a first-class half, as he is quick and plays a good clean game. Crawford is a more vigorous player, hut is apt to lose his place; in other respects he plays a good half-line game. Downs's place was filled by F. Quinton. who has "done his bit" and feels that he must get into the game again. Although the loss of one eye. is a handicap, he nevertheless put in a lot of useful work.

"Norm" Smith played a solid game, although he did not come out in the limelight, his work being chieflv in taking the ball down the line and passing to his centre-forward. Hell, however, in the cent nil position, marie a mess of things, as he spoilt one or two chances of scoring by giving sticks when there was absolutely no need to do so. Joe and Hill wore- not up to their usual standard of play. They appeared to lose their heads in critical moments, a bad fault which is found in many players.

It was recognised that Snooks in goal was the saviour of Sydenham, as be played one of the finest games as goalkeeper seen for some time. Although on the small side, bo has a remarkably good eye and is very quick in his movements. His crowning success was the defeating of Bell in the penalty bullv not two yards out from the centre of the goal. P. Berry, who is on leave from the. trout, is an old player whose capabilities are well known. Considering he is out of practice, he played a very good game- -in fact, fur better than his mafo on the three-quarter line, S. Hineksman, who has only played once before this season. Me was very erratic and gave more than his share of ".sticks.'' The Sydenham half-line was the backbone of the team, all three players - I'ascoe. Snell and Outfield--playing- a, sterling game. Harrington, another old Sydenham forward, and who was always considered one of the best, and A\oodfield were the pick of the forward line. Although the former was suffering from want, of training, lie made the most of bis chances. "Woodticld plaved a good hard game right through. Jacobs was good at left wing, showing a, lot of tricky play and centreing well. Later in the game he received u" naslv crack, which opened tho back of his hand. Throp, in centre, and Hamilton were not seen to any great advantage. The former is rather given to waiting for chances to come instead of getting in'o it.

These teams have got another match

to play, .and it should bo out of tJie ordinary, as they have drawn twice. It was fully expected that Gran ford would make a big hid for victory in their match against Addington-Teehni-cal in order to make amends for their defeat in the first round. After seeing their performance on Saturday last it is hard to understand their defeat by a margin of seven goals in the first I round. On Saturday Cranford had | the better of* the game in the second I half, especially towards the latter end of the game.

" Bob" Templeton, in goal for Cranford, gave a fair display, although he had not a great deal of work. Sopor took half/the frame to get going. TCrom then to the finish he Avas very safe and played a very tricky game. ''Mat" Templeton did not show out particularly well, and the half line had frequently to fall hack to assist, him. Lucas, at left half, played the best game in the team, being exceptionally good at beating liis man. Pcarce is a strenuous player with little idea of the fine points, but he. gets into the play good and hard all the time. Harland and Giles Ave re the pick of the fonvards, the former being Avell up to top form. Avhilo Giles Avas quick on the Aving and centred aacll. Quartormain is weak in circle Avork and is developing a bad habit of handling his man. Moreton and Packman, the Adding-ton-Tochnical backs, are playing better than in the first round, and are both very good on defensive Avork. Moreton is getting his hits in a lot quicker than he did at the commencement of the season.

The Creen half line are a good trio, Sepie and (Jracie being very consistent, Avhilo M'Craokon keeps at it all the time. I). Smith and TC.' Smith are the pick of the Green fonvards. Avhile Turner is useful on the right wing. Morris was ii]) against a hard playing half, and had his work cut out to hold his oavii.

Tlio Chrisfchureh-Riblo Class match appeared to ln> handicapped by being under the control of a referee who was not thoroughly conversant with th<> rules. Nothing spoils a game quicker than a doubtful referee, and it is pleasinn; to note that the Canterbury Hockey Association intends to make an effort to improve matters in this direction. A meeting of players has been called for next Saturday night. ;ind it is i», bo hoped that all interested will turn up in strong force. Many players are in need of instruction as well as custodians of the whistle. T hear that the Ladies' Association will be askeo r«> be. present, and I trust that the invitation will be accepted. Referees are giving their time for the benefit of the lady players, and it is to the interests of all hockey players, male and female, to uphold and assist the Referees' Association in every way.

Next Saturday Selwyn play Alding-ton-Technical at Elisor's Road, and a close game is expected. The following table shows the positions of the Senior teams at the finish of the second round:

Tho following' is tho round of matches for Saturday next — Sydenham v. Christchnrch, at Sydenham (Messrs W. <md P. Ryde). Cranford v. Bible Class, at St Albans Park (Messrs 11. Hatch and A. Towns). AddiiiKton-Teehnical v. Selwyn, at Elisor's Jioad (Messrs YT. Simpson and E. Ballinger). Second Grade. Cln'isteluu'ch v. Bible Class, at North Park (Mr J. Davoy). Technical v. Oxford Terrace, at Ensoi's Road (Mr F. Forrester). Green's v. Sydenham, at Sydenham (Mr H. Mopridge). Selwyn a bye. Third Grade. Technical A v. Bible C'las=, at North Park (.Mr C. Whyte). Sehvvn v. Technical B, at Addington Reaervo (Mr N. Hull). Oxford Terrace v. Sydenham, at St Albans (Mr R. Rogers). Christ church v. Cranford, at Xortli Park (Mr X. B. M'Cnlhim). Fourth Grade. Selwyn B v. Oxford Terrace, at St Albans iMr J. Soocr). ChriHtchureb v. ("ranford, at S ( . Albans (Mr A. .1. Towns). Vrimrenui v. Sydenham, at. Svrlenham (Mill. Snooks). Technical v. Sc-lwyn A, at Adding-',on Reserve (Mr J. Scott). LADIES' ASSOCIATION. Seniors. Oxford Terrace v. Xgaio, at St Albans (Mr J. Clint fie Id). Waimiuri A v. W'ainiairi I', at, Papanui (Mr •I. .1. Adams). Sydenham v. Diidjy's, at Sydenham (Mr M. 1-'.. Busts'). "Whareimi v. Rnngiora, at North Park (Mr G. Ormandy). Juuio:-3. Oxford Terrace v. Technical B, at North Park (Mr J. H. Jones). Technical A v. Digby's, ;it Elisor's Road (Mr J. Bu-s).

Team. i Plaved. \ R O Lost. j Drawn. M "3 c c ~ 3. !i tc— o C! If} 0* Sclwyn . 10 f. 3 1 21 lo A'kl.-Technical ]0 <; c 2 231 9 7 }.i y<l en )i am , in 4 1 no n T f'rfji to V' I . . 10 i ■1 21 O.J Christ church 1|) 3 1 (i '20 2) :\h IJiblo Ciiiss 1(1 (l 0 If) ill .VI 0