HOCKEY Woolston’s Surprise By University

Press, Volume C, Issue 29501, 1 May 1961, Page 8

HOCKEY Woolston’s Surprise By University

> In the second round of I matches in the Canterbury ; Hockey Association's senior , competition on Saturday University caused a surprise ■ by defeating Woolston in the main game at Williamson ; Park. The general standard of • play in the four senior ' matches on Saturday was ’ far from satisfactory. Vigour , continues to be preferred to skill by many players, and , scant attention is paid by i some teams to the left-side , tackle ru.le. Its logical in- • tentretation and strict enforcement are necessary prerequisites to any improvement. Old Boys gained . another easy victory, and i already suggest that the winning of the competition ' again is well within the . team's compass. Results were:— University 2, Woolston 1. High School Old Boys 10, Selwyn 0. West Old Boys 4, Sydenham 1. Harewood 2, Technical Old Boys 1. Competition points are:— High School Old Boys 2, Harewood 2, University I|, West Old Boys IJ, Woolston 1, Sydenham 0, Technical Old Boys 0, Selwyn 0. UNIVERSITY v. WOOLSTON Although the result of this match was somewhat unexpected, the course qf the game suggested such a possibility when Woolston persisted with powerhouse tactics based upon attempts to crash through the centre. # The inside forwards bunched badly, and B Judge. Woolston’s most promising righ»-wing. was sadly neglected during the second half. On the few occasions when he was given a break he made penetrating runs, apd his centre passes greatly troubled a strong University defence. The only skill in which Woolston excelled University was tn its more consistent trapping of the bell. There was a strong impression that one of the factors which influenced the result was Woolston’s tactical plan. University’s defence was as well organised as ever, but there was a lack of finish in the forwards, most of whom are young and inexperienced They did. however, back tackle purposefully, and they fully matched the determination of their opponents. The right flank was not penetrative, and both goals were scored from penalty’ corners, as was that of Woolston. For the second match in succession University’s three outstanding players were M. Lints at left-back, K Thomson at centre-half, and A. Read at inside-right. Lint’s trapping, . stickwork. passing, anticipa- ‘ tion, mobility and conception of his task showed him as , being the best back in Chrtstchurch on current form. Thom- > son played splendidly. His , sure trapping and skilful dribbling were vital factors In his team’s success, and he . nursed his forwards most cleverly. He is certainly one i of the most capable half-backs : in New Zealand hockey. University’s attack was based almost solely upon Read’s dribbt ling ability, and he freouently • had opponents twisting and turning in various directions • as he weaved n sinuous maze through them. Three players alone could not beat Woolston, and strong ■ was forthcoming from K. O’Callshan in goal, who Played his best game for gome seasons. tr<m R. O’Connor at right-back, and from E. Jackson at right-half. Jackson and Read combined beautifully at times to hold tk» ball and deny possession to Woolston when* possession was a frantic necessity. M Head oh the leftwtng was also a considerable nmsanee »o his opponents Tn the Woolston coal K. Mortimer made several fine saves, ’nd L. Hobson was a safe lefthack J. Abrams on the rich* was well below form, and if he continues to prefer vigour to skill he is not likelv to ’ ecover it. The wing halves. ; - Pffcy and K. Millard, were [ effective spoilers, ard comt . w " a ’* ,r forwards at times Because of ■ Hie bunching and the heltern#n “* the centre ' none of the forwards . epwM he ejected to he n»rticuuriv fmoreetHve. N Hob- . * ar l n insid«-ri£ht wa.< the of them but he con’d not ! nuMi th- dribbling «>in of ’ ’ n '’ h e was well contained bv L<nts. When Judetosme into ‘be Play Woolston hreel.ned d.-«er, but ‘he al- ■ - ; TS. P’“ l hods. lacking tn .ti-i.mm T fc eng pasefne 1 “hfThmon’y barren i-n ’ Hefenee which was > End organised and ! Which refused to be l-*!mi- > dated bv body plav. K. Tb-rn- ' for UM- ' Woolen B ' Monk ‘ «d n M re au T * sm K W ' rt « ht West run nnyg - SYBFNHaM ’ somi h ? u^'1 Fv< forhsm showed c,'s-sr 17’Af r»f nu*T?tv ♦#» 9 tr-’i-B nal s-s—s. r— a con. •’d—aMe MrM I ’T'ana-’ed tn • ♦he pressure of ? c u r ‘' , rior

’oK.rhnn Pef. r CUH, „„ a . a *Hth here the matri deeoolive burden end coped ade-

quately with the opposing forwards whose passing was not always accurate. They gave their own forwards a liberal supply of the ball and used their right flank to better purpose than in the previous game. R. Thomson, on the right-wing, made some good runs and placed his centres carefully, and A. Scott showed some penetration in the centre.

J. Pauling was always reliable In the Sydenham goal, but was not given much protection at times by the rest of the defence. There were flashes of good play from L. Lloyd, and some degree of success wag achieved in building right flank attacks. D. Lloyd on the rightwing took advantage of these to contribute some effective dribbles, and C. Woods was prominent at times at insideright. M. McKinnon backtackled effectively. switched the direction of the play cleverly, and showed quickness and thrust in the circle. If Sydenham is to improve, its lesser players will need to develop their stickwork to a greater extent and to turn their attention to the principles of good passing. Goals were scored for West Old Boys by A. Scott (2), R Thomson and Paul Clark, and M. McKinnon scored for Sydenham. Umpires: Messrs K. Mortimer and K. Wright. HAREWOOD v. TECHNICAL OLD BOYS The quality of the trapping and passing in the Harewood team was superior to that of Technical with the result that Harewood maintained a slight edge throughout most of the match. Although D. Sheppard was not as reliable as usual in his trapping the Harewood defence was very steady, being especially well served by G. Baldwin at right-half and Q. Illlor at centre-half. The latter also gave good support to his

forwards on attack, and his methods were sound and constructive. L. Smith on the rightwing was the best of the forwards, showing intelligence in the placing of his passes. I. Emmerson in goal saved Technical many times, and was well supported by S. Hall at right-back. C. Smart produced another good game at centrehalf, being prominent on both defence and attack. Not the least pleasing feature pf his display was his: thoughtful passing. The forwards were not Impressive. They bunched too much, failed to combine and wasted opportunities by hits downfield of sufficient power to cross the goal-line before the ball could be overtaken. The Harewood goals were scored by B. Turner and B. Murray, and G. Harper scored for Technical Old Boys. Umpires: Messrs W. Morris and N. Hocking. HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS v. SELWYN During one period of five minutes shortly after half-time a check on passes given by Selwyn players from unhampered positions showed that 23 sueh passes were made and every pass travelled directly to an opponent. Against opposition of • this calibre Old Boys had little difficulty in registering a handsome victory. If possession of the ball was temporarily lost, it was quickly restored to Old Boys by their generous opponents. Poor trapping and flyhitting in the Selwyn defence were additional aids to the Old Boys’ attack. Under these circumstances goals were scored with steady frequency by I. D. Armstrong (6), J, Kiddey (3). and T. Thomas. Umpires: Messrs A. D. Holland and P. Beere.