HOCKEY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16416, 3 May 1921, Page 3

HOCKEY.

SATURDAY'S GAMES, \ NOTES ON THE PLAY(By “ CENTRE-HALF."') Fin© weather again favoured the resumption of matches ou Saturday last. In fact the weather was rather too warm from a player’s point of view, but ideal for spectators, who, however, were few and far between. Although the Christchurch and Selwyn match was considered the most interesting and allotted to Lancaster Park on that account. the match between Y.M-C-A. and Cranford was the more interesting of the two and provided the better j hockey to ivitness. The third match was a walk-over for Sydenham in the second spellFollowing are the positions of the

SELWYN (»T) v. CJTRISTCHFRCH (0). After the defeat of Christ church by Addington the previous week, Selwyn were easy favourites for Saturday's game. The absence of Morris from the Selwyn half line weakened them a little, and Christchurch were, able to make a fair showing by a deal of hard hitting, but. they were brought to a standstill hy Groso and Smith, who played fine defensive hockey in the ba.ck line. Morris occupied Robb’s place in goal. Down, Rvhurn and Mahoney formed the half line, tho last-named playing the- best game of the three. Down was inclined to lie too far back, and tho left Aving was forced to come hack for the hall Avhen it should have been sent on. The forward-* are a nippy line and will take a good deal of boating. Richmond played a splendid game on the right wing, and put iu so mo magnificent runs up the- line and rent red well. The three Bells work in perfect harmony, but "W - Bell got into trouble owing to his habit of keeping off-side. Woodfield s game would have looked a. great deal hotter had lie- been properly fed by the left half. Taking the Selwyn team as a whole they are ji good side aud will take a lot of beating. The loss of Benton took the sting out. of the Christchurch attack, which lacked combination. Most of the players in tho forivard* display plenty of energy and dash, but appear to forget that there are four others in the line whose goals are just as valuable as tlieir oAvn. V. "Werrcn was good. but too fond of solo stunts. Keys dropped back to the centre half position and p 1 h yed. a fair game, but i ncl l o ed to tsik© flying shots. Airfield and Mather were only fair, and would do better to mark -the opposing forwards more closely. Sinclair was the mainstay of the defence and played a rattling good game in the back line. His only fault was an inclination to take tiie ball too far up, but this ivas probably due to his usual place being rent-re half. C. AYerren was very fair, but spoilt his game by giving " sticks ” on :i few occasions. Cameron gai © a better performance than in the previous match, but aa as nor too safe. Christchurch at present appear lo he. all sixes and sevens. When Martin returns F flunk their front line would bo improved bv bringing C. AVerren to inside right and leaving Sinclair and Martin as backs. The AVerren brothers are used to one another’s play and would bring that combination into the attack which is missing from the piesent line.

Y.M.C A. (11 v. CRANFORD (1). As both of these teams had played, a draw with Sydenham a close, even game was expected, and such turned out to bo the case, the result of one goal each being a satisfactory ending. Cranford were handicapped hy the absence of R. Small, who has been ploying Avell this season, and their lelt wing attack was very weak. Quartermain and Faulkner broke away one© or twice but were beaten by the A .M.C.A. backs. A lander was the only player in the halves worthy of mention, arid lie played a very fine game. Soper was easily the pick of the backs. slioavuig all his customary dash and energy. The Y.M.C.A. team are the makings of a good team, and with a hit of coaching would come along quickly. Ycl vin avid Dixon are an admirable pair of backs and work together very well. Velvin is the quicker and surer of the- two and should meet all the selectors’ requirements as left hack. H Balfour and AV. Barca ncl played well in the half line. The former marks bi* man '.veil, but is inclined to hang on to the bull instead of getting it 3 way to his forwards. Bnseand puts jn ..-i lot of work and is a hard man to heat. The forwards will make a good lire, but at present are lacking in experience. tildes hangs on to the ball too long and should have been penalised for "sticks” a good deal more than he was. Holland is very fair and works hard. Hill was a bit raiv and I understand it was his first game this season. Altogether the team ia very fair and likely to upset any of- the other teams in the competition , SYDENHAM. (~) v. ADDINGTON (2) Although Addington had a full team j for their match against Sydenham the absence of A Tort ©n weakened their de--1 !encc considerably, and towards the -.id of the game Sydenluim scored when thev pleased The Addington half line, in eluded R. Snell, the old Sydenham player, who is ns keen as ever, although earrving a deal ol weight. With such a one-sided game in tho second spell little comment is jieeessarv. but Addington deserve a measure nf praise for putting up such a stern fight, in tho earlv stages. The ground Avas very rough and should .receive the attention of the Grounds C ommitteeSHTELD MATCHES. Some little time was spent, at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Hockey Association in the endeavour to provide a more suitehlo method of plsjviijr* the matches for the challenge shield.” The holders of the last two seasons have learnt that holding the shield is a menace to the success of an association's competition, sis with six shield matches in pine, eight* playing Saturdays are lost out of the season, and genera By the senior competition is left, in an incomplete condition. The discussion at Thursday night's meeting was the outcome of remits t ransmitted by the Canterbury and Foil ding Associations. and have evidently done some good, as after the matter had been discussed for an hour the incoming executive a* ere recommended to limit acceptance of challenges to four against any one defender who. however, has tho right to apply for further matches if they wish. The latter elans© appears fair enough, as an association may have defended the shield ©yen four times and their own competition* may be finished, so whv should they be d©barred from Maying another province if they wish?

teams :— Goal. P. W. D. 1/. For- Agal. Pte. Salwytl . * " 0 0 !> in Sjdeuh.ni . 3 1 2 0 10 s 2 Cranford .8021 « * 1 Christchurch 3 I 0 -2 2 -■* 1 Addington .810 a « ]a 1 V.A1.C.A. . 3 0 2 1 2 3 1