HOCKEY

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17348, 13 May 1924, Page 3

HOCKEY

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By

“CENTRE HALF.”)

Tho tl star ” hockey event of the wee*: was tne match on Wednesday last between a team from the light cruisers Danae-, Delhi and Dragon and a Canterbury eleven. The Fleet’s team were chosen mostly from the Danae, and the local team were practically all colts. Contrary to expectations and in direct contrast to the team from H.M.S. Renown, the play of the light cruisers’ men was scientific and clever, and they showed that they were conversant with all departments of the game. The short, snappy passes were very effective, and the combination splendid, and rarely has a visiting team given such a pleasing exhibition of the game; With a month on shore to enablo them to become accustomed to the playing fields, the Fleet team would 9 xtend New Zealand’s best eleven.

The captain, Lieutenant-Commander Hill, who played centre forward, treated the spectators to a briliant exhibition of tricky stick play and short passing, while tho play that gave him his first goal was one of the finest pieces of stick work ever seen in Christchurch.

The visitors indulged in very little long. hard hitting, but they kept possession of the ball until they drew the opposing defence, and then, with a

sharp flick of the wrist, they passed to t«eir coneague. Tne forwards were well supported and fed by the halves, who were clever in intercepting the opposing forwards. Both backs were sue. and generally placed their hits to advantage, while Coleridge in goal was far superior to the Canterbury custodian. Taking the play right through, the Canterbury tram were lucky to secure SELWYN (3) v. SYDENHAM (0). The play in the match at Lancaster Park on Saturday between Selwyn A and Sydenham . was far below expectations. Tuo latter team looked a good one on paper, but lack of generalship, want of variety in attack and weak defence were the chief factors in their deieat. 1 tad tne Selwyn team been keen for a goal record the score would procably have been doubled. The forward line.is the weakest Sydenham has had for some seasons, and, *consK»ering their work, it is hard to understand why Butterfield is not given a place. Certainly he is poor ifi , the open play, but he puts dash into the circle work, a feature that was lacking 'in the team's play on Saturday. 1 halves gave little or no support to the front rank, and they were equally incapable of stopping the Selwyn forwards. J. Pascoe was the best cl’ the three, aud lie had a hard task. The bright spot in the Sydenham team was the play of the back division, as both Berry and Mather put up a solid defence, especially the former, who had a full day in stopping the Selwyn right attack. Mather played solidly, but he should try and avoid smothering the goalkeeper. The Selwyn team, which includes tho three Bells and Hill of last season in the front line, played fine hockey. The replacing 01 wiUaes uv Bearne nas in no way weakened the line. Beams played a fine game on the left, and is undoubtedly a coming representative. Mis play is clean and sharp, and, while he possesses a quick eve for a shot at goal ho is unselfisli and ready to pass if necessary. The half line is a good one. Morris-played an excellent game, and he is a splendid example for the young players, R. Hove and H. Neal are with him in the line. ! Dickson and Hilgrove put up a use- ! fill defence, but were at no time over--1 burdened with work, and Faulkner in j goal had a holiday. I ST ALBANS (3) v. TECHNICAL A H). 1 After their previous defeats a! the * hands of Sydenham and Technical »,

the Saints’ clean cut win came as a surprise. By some mischance the score in this match was published on Monday as two goals to one. The correct scores were St Albans three. Technical one. was fairly evon right through and there were many instances of good individual play. J. Soper, who occupied his old position as right half, undoubtedly greatly assisted in securing a victory for liis side. His defensive play was excellent, and in addition he rendered valuable assistance to his mate. R. Cummings in goal for the Saints performed fairly well, but he let a simple on© through his legs. A. Small, at left half, is improving, and played quite a useful game. Mander was abseut, but G. Graham wlio filled the centre forward position. plays strenuous hockey. What lm lacks in science he makes up for in pace and stamina. The bulk of the attack rested upon Drayton and Quartermain, both of whom went fairly well. The weakness of the Technical team appears to be inability to grasp opportunities. The halves are weals and do not support the forwards as much as they should, many of their hits being wild and of no benent. Blair and Gracie are the pick of the forwards, The former is improving every gjime and will undoubtedly

prove a useful forward before long. SELWYN B (6) v. TECHNICAL B (2). Selwyn B ran out the winners after an easy game, Technical showing a lack of team spirit and co-operation. The Selwyn defence was very sound and after keeping the Technical for wards out for the first spell had matters their own way in tho second half. The Selwyn forward line went well and M’Coffrev in particular showed good scoring ability. Down on the loft did not have a great deal to do, but J. Squire at inside left played a fine game and showed himself a clever opportunist. F. Squire at centre half played hi? usual heady game, and B. Hore and Byers supported well. Grose ana Hay as full-backs dealt effectively • v ith the Technical forwards and broke up attacks in good style. Technical B went well in the firstspell, but the weakness of ,T. M’Cracken at right back and Smith in goal let the opposing forwards besiege the circle M’Cracken is new to his place and failed to work with his confere, Cornish. He repeatedly cut iu in front of Cornish and left his own side ’ of the ground open. Hill had too much to do and his passing was not too good The whole half line was weak and Rogers in particular fed the left wing too much and neglected his own wing forward. Teague was too well looked after to do much, and Bascand, though he made some good runs, was weak in the circle. Hahn usually passed too soon and was below form, while Barnes failed to show up at all. Calvert on the right wing did not receive enough of the ball. REFEREES’ ASSOCIATIOX. Last night’s meeting of the Referees’ Association was given over to a theory examination of candidates. There was an entry of fourteen for the examination and the members of the examination board, Messrs S. G. Holland and O. Bellamy, are to be complimented upon the excellent set of questions provided. The examiners are desirous of examining every member "i the association, and those who failed to attend last night are specially requested to attend next meeting. Sets of questions are to be sent, to members at Rajigiora, Ka.ja.poi and Little. River, so that a uniformity of mterp'retarfens may be secured. : SATURDAY’S FIXTURES. The following- are the fixtures for Saturday next: Senior Grade—Selwvn A. v. Technical A, at Ensor’.* Rou-l. Mr G. Del him* ; Si Alban*

«\ Selwyn B. a.L Hagley Park No. f>, Mr j R. Grade; Sydenham v. Technical I), at i Lancaster ParU. Mr S. G. (Holland. Junior Grade—Kaiapoi v. Varsity. at ! Kaiapoi, Mr Hemingway: Sydenham v. Trinity, at Sydenham. Mr H. Laxtoo; Weilev v. Technical, at Hagley Park No. J Mr C. Franklin.

Third Grade—Technical v. St Albans, at Ensor’s Road Mr R. Skelton; Wesley v. Selwyn, at Hatrley No. 3. Mr L. Berg; Varsity v. Sydenham at Sydenham, Mr P. Campbell; Kaianoi v. Trinity, at Park No. 4. Mr R. A. Cooper.

Fourth Grade—Sydenham. A v. Svdenham B, at Lancaster Park. Mr H. Rogers; Sydenham C v. Technical A. at Sydenham. Mr J. Hnrticran: West Chr ; «tchtireh v. Trinity, at Ensor's Road. Mr E. Haivev; Technical B v. Wharenui, at Hagley Park No. 4, Mr 11. Archer.