HOCKEY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20359, 17 July 1934, Page 11

HOCKEY.

Notes on Saturday’s Matches. Trinity and University, who met for the third time on Saturday, are now level in points, and may remain so until the final match. Technical showed greatly improved form to draw with Selwyn, and, on the game, were unlucky to miss a win. SYDENHAM V. EEDCLIFFS. Missed scoring chances and a lack of combination on both sides were features of this game. Redcliffs lacked the necessary finish in the circle to score goals. In the first spell Sydenham had play all their own way, but dogged defence by Redcliffs kept the score down. C. Burke was the outstanding forward, and he and Simpson did most of the attacking. Duffield proved sound_and enterprising at centre-half, and initiated some brjliant movements. Sydenham, no doubt, felt the absence of Rusbridge in the forward line. E. Grafton (Redcliffs) fought out some stubborn duels with the opposition and was responsible for frustrating soma penetrating attacks. R. Dale proved sound in the backs, but received only occasional support. Redcliffs half line was strengthened! by the inclusion of E. R. Darracott, who has turned out to fill the vacancy caused by Truscott being out for the rest of the season. J. Sutherland moved out to the left and Darracott filled the centre-half position very creditably. R. Thompson was out again in his old position in the backs, but has not completely recovered from his foot injury. TECHNICAL v. SELWYN. Ttchriical were a trifle unlucky to miss the full point for a win, although the backs must be given due credit for keeping tlieir goal intact until the last five minutes. S. Andrews and Hearne both played sterling games, while F. Bellamy, in goal, stopped many good shots. The Technical forwards’ pace gave the Selwyn defence little time to control the ball, both backs and halves being kept busy. C. Hore had his work cut out to deal with W. Cole and J. Dick. A. Andrews and M. Watson went well in the Selwyn half jine, particularly Andrews, who always plays a useful, steady game. Watson, in seniors for his first (Season, is doing well, and both should be included in any colts’ team selected. L. Dawe, on Selwyn’s right, possesses good speed and stick work, but makes the mistake of going too far down before centring. L. Edginton played a fair game on the left, some of his centres being well timed. T. Burtt and N. Burtt are both young player« of the hard-working type, but need experience to develop into leaders. Technical played one>of .their best names this season. R. Moir is becoming a useful left wing. His speed had the Selwyn backs frequently in trouble. •T. Dick is a hustler and follows in ! well, hut he should learn to keep the | ball down when having a .shot at goal. The half line was the weak spot in the team, none of the trio being outstanding. J. Goldstone and Bailey proved a ] strong defence and frequently rescued their side from serious trouble. VARSITY v. TRINITY. Varsity succeeded in lowering TrinI ity’s colours in a game that was full lof interest from beginning to end. Varsity found their feet half-way through the first spell, which ended one all. A. Barnett played a dashing game at centre forward, being responsible for both of Varsity’s goals. He and B. Duffield (inside left) were the best of a strong line. H. Haves put across some good centres from tlve right wing and his shooting from corners was good, though not attended with any results on Saturday. S. M’Donald played a solid game in his new. position at inside right, as also did H. Ford (left wing). E. Cooper (centre half) was not as prominent as usual. but C. Walter, right wing half, played an improved game. He is a ha/d worker. R. Penney was the better of the backs, and D. Hall was safe in goal.

The Trinity forward line showed good combination, their frequent passing rushes testing the Varsity defence to the utmost. P. M’Oorniick (inside left) and E. Radcliffe (Centre) were the best of the line. They both showed determination in the circle. The halves displayed good stick work and kept the forwards well supplied with the hall. D. Loader was perhaps the best of e.

strong line. C. Rogers and H. Norris both had plenty to do in the back positions and performed their job creditably. H. Barnhill stopped some hal’d shots in good styl'e.^ GOOD FORWARDS SCARCEWith the match against the Australian touring team scheduled for September 1. the selector is busy viewing probable players. He has -a surplus of backs and there is a first-class half line, but, with one or two exceptions, good forwards are scarce. The choice for goalkeeper must lie between R. Barnhill and F. Bellamy, and the writer’s choice leans towards Barnhill, as his clearing is quicker and more decided. Earlier in the season it looked as if S. Andrews was slipping, but he has certainly made amends in the last few matches and must go in with C. Rogers ns his side partner. There are no Bert Hore’s available for the halves and the choice will probably be C. Hore (centre), W. Bowden and E. Cooper. The forwards are hard. If Ben Rogers could be induced to come out the selector’s task would be easier but, failing that, the following may be worth considering: F. Forman, JD. M’Cormick, It. Rusbridge, B. Dufileld and R. Moir. WOMEN’S HOCKEY. The defeat of Aranui has put Hornby a further point in the lead, but with four hard games still to be played they may find it difficult to maintain that position. Aranui. the second team, cannot afford to lose any more games or their chances will be slight. By defeating Technical, Rangiora moved up into third place, half a point behind Aranui, and the same distance ahead of Technical. The positions of iftie other teams are unchanged.

In their match with Pukaki Aranui gave a disappointing display. Although they were not at full strength, they should have done better. Their forwards could neither give nor take a pass, while the backs, although better than the previous week, were still below form, the goalkeeper alone giving a good display. The Pukakl forwards made more mistakes than usual on a good ground, but they had more combination than their opponents. The halves played their usual sound game, while the backs did not make a mistake. In an even, though not brilliant, game. Rangiora avenged their first round defeat by Technical, who, however. were not at full strength. Both sets of forwards were well matched, but the country players put more vigour into their game. The halves and backs were safe on defence, but some of the passes to the forwards could have been better placed. Canterbury College had the better of their match with Digby’s and were seldom in danger of defeat. Their forwards displayed more combination than Digby’s, who relied more on solo efforts. In defeating West Christchurch Hornby improved on the previous week’s display. West lost chances through faulty circle work. The West backs had a very heavy day’s work, but they came through with honours.