HOCKEY

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17837, 4 May 1926, Page 3

HOCKEY

NOTES AND COMMENTS

The results of Saturday’s games give one the impression that all the senior teams are fairly even. On the first day of the competitions Technical drew with Selwyn and Varsit\’- beat Sydenham by one goal to nil. On the second Saturday Sydenham drew with Technical and Selwyn beat a weak St Albans team by three to nil. On Saturday last Selwyn beat S3 r dc.nham by an odd goal and Varsitv had a similar victory over St Albans. True, St Albans had a stronger team out than on the previous week, but Varsity was also strengthened in their forward line by the inclusion of C. Holland. The results of the matches to date places Selwyn half a point ahead of Varsity, but the latter have only played two matches, whilst Selwyn, having had no bye, have played three. 1 echnical and St Albans have also had byes, the former being one point only on account of having two drawn games. From present indications it certainly looks as if Selwyn will have to go all out this season if they wish to retain the Senior Shield.

SELWYN (2) v. SYDENHAM (1). The game at Sydenham Park was disappointing as far as good hockey was concerned, and considering the personnel of the two teams Selwyn should have won by at least four goals. They had much the better of the play throughout, and there was more combination in their forward line than in Sydenham's. No doubt 11. Snooks, the Sydenham goalkeeper, can take a fair share of praise for the small score put up, as with one exception he showed great judgment, and in one instance he held up the attack single-handed and finally cleared.

C. James went back to the three-quar-ter line in place of Edwards, who injured his arm in the morning and was not available. James worked like a Trojan. He was here, there and everywhere, and in addition to breaking up the Selwj'n attack he often recovered and got back into goal when Snooks had come out.

E. Dash, who is a last year’s junior, has all the coolness and confidence of an experienced player, and he filled Macdonald’s place with credit. Macdonald will not be available for six or seven weeks, as he has been transferred to Dunedin.

The half’ line "was very poor, and \\ ard was the only one to play good hockey, and he was certainly up against a hard side which made bis work all the more creditable. G. Taylor, who came out at a minute's notice in order to fill Edwards's place, played a very fair game.

The forward line was weak and played with little combination or method, and a lecture on offensive tactics would* be beneficial. Pragnell in centre shows little ability to lead an attack, and was rarely in the limelight. Rushbridge was the pick of the line, but could work little combination. Larson did not play up to his usual form, showing no zest in going for the ball. I understand that he was pretty severely penalised for offside in the game the previous week, and this fact rankled and interfered with his game. If this is true I would suggest that he attends the referees’ meetings and the referees would soon advise him as to where he was wrong.. . . ;

Selwyn had their best team out, and possibly it was due to the fact that they were never fully-. extended that accounted for the free and easy style °f': their play. Taking matters easy- is all very well in an easy match, but it does not produce good combination. There was a serious fault in their forward fine, and one. that should be got rid of as soon as possible, and that was bunching in the circle. Not one of the forwards could claim to have played up to the top of his form, as little bright combined work was seen. S. Bell made several good openings, which invariably faded out when the circle was reached. P. Richmond scored one goal by good following in, a phase of the game that is too often lacking in all teams. J. Squire showed plenty of pace, but one-handed play rarely gains much advantage. In the half line B. Ilore was cool and steady, but he was never very serious. Mahoney at right half did not miss much, but his game was not up to the standard of his play in the first match. C . Ilore and A. Dickson, who formed the back line, were very fair, but never

brilliant, and Robb in goal was never seriously troubled until the last few minutes. 'VARSITY (2*)* v. ST ALBANS (1). ’ Youth and fitness served their turn when 'Varsity defeated St Albans. The latter had a much stronger team in. the field than when they met Selwyn and a sterling defence kept ’Varsity from piling up the goals. Credit must be given to Soper for a good defence. His long hits frequently turned defence into attack, and he made few mistakes. He took one shot from a penalty comer that was a trimmer, and gave the goalie no chance. H. Luxton was between the sticks and he was responsible for some good saves. He had bad luck with one shot that rolled into goal off the back of his stick. In passing, it should be mentioned that in both senior games the lines between the goal-posts were very indistinct and the Grounds Committee should take some action in this matter. G. Graham was easily the pick of the halves, and he was quick at falling back to assist the defence. W. Lucas on the right had a hard man to cope with and did not have the necessary pace. A. Small on the left did not settle down but was a worker all the time.

The forwards lacked dash. Quartcrmain was the pick of the line, and made some good runs. Franklin was vigorous but did little real work. Drayton larked the dash necessary for a centre-forward and was weak in circle work. Brown failed to work in with the rest of the line. Hale on the left was tricky and ptlt over some good centres. Mackie, the ’Varsity custodian, had little to do, but did it well. Newton and Lonev made a good pair of backs. The former is hardly resolute enough in rush-stopping, but he gets his hit in well. Hill was the mainstay of the halves. He fed his forwards judiciousU' and initiated some good attacking movements. In addition he held the team well together, an art which few halves pos-

A little more combination in the forwards and ’Varsity would have a tip-top line. One or two of the players lack experience and need to study the play of some of the old hands. There can be no doubt that Ford, the leftwinger, has speed. The trouble is that his speed is good only for solo dashes. He is good at this department of the game but his centring is weak. C. Holland at centre, led the forward line and he played a good leading game. Cameron and Williamson gave him good support and the former shows signs of developing into a good inside left. Knyvett on the right had little to do and had he been given more to do, 'Varsity might have increased their score. . JOTTINGS. Selector Holland was on the job on Saturday. With the Indians nearly upon vis the men required for training should be selected. Canterburv will have a hard battle to defeat the visitors and a month’s special training will be none too much. It is time something was done to see that‘likely players are taken in hand in the matter of getting fit for the match. S. Mander, the ex-Canterbury and New Zealand representative, is proving a tower of strength as centre half to the Karori A (Wellington) senior team. According to South Canterburv- reports hockey is booming in the countrv surrounding Geraldine. The Geraldine Club can easily . take pride of place as being the most financial hockey club in the South Island, as its balance-sheet presented at its annual meeting disclosed assets amounting to’£24B 6s 3d over liabilities. The formation of a sub-union in the district will be the means of about a dozen men’s teams coming into existence to commence a men’s competition on Thursady afternoons, and a match in town against the Indian Army team would be of inestimable benefit. After a lapse of ten years a new club has been formed at Temuka in connection with the new sub-association. The Canterbury Hockey Referees’ Association still holds their fortnighthmeetings. Last evening Mr C. Bellam'v was nominated for the match between Canterbury and the Indian Army team and the following were nominated to be submitted to the New Zealand Hockey Association for appointment to matches in which the Indian team will participateMesrs H and’k' b.' Smith!* ° R ’ G ™<=