Hockey

Next term, with the advent of the invasion season, training will be further intensified, and if it can continue in the same spirit as the past term we shall have good reason to be satisfied.

HOCKEY, 1942.

RETROSPECT.

The memories of the prolonged frosts of the last two years gave us hope that if there were such a thing as meteorological justice, this year would see a full hockey programme carried out. However, hopes were dashed, and a hockey side of more than average ability saw its fixtures disappear once more.

Games were hastily arranged for the last month of term, and some chance was given the side to show its worth. The Worksop game could not, unfortunately, be re-arranged, but good wins were obtained over Sheffield University, Bootham School and Leeds Corinthians.

The side was fortunate in having an able captain in Buckler, whose indefatigable and skilful stick work set a fine example. Frost was always prominent at centreforward, whilst Denison and Steele showed good defensive powers. Stratton, in goal, was really the find of the season ; he played some heroic games, notably that against Bootham.

It is hoped next year to arrange fixtures throughout the term in optimistic endeavour to combat the rigour of the York winter.

HOCKEY CHARACTERS. BUCKLER * (Captain). A very fine hockey player who, as centre-half, set a high example for the rest of the team. Tackles vigorously, shoots hard and straight, and is always up with the forwards and back with the defence. DENISON * (Vice-Captain). Has been consistently reliable in his position as back all through the season. A remarkable tackler who leaves very little to be done.

Has been a great help to the side both off and on the playing field.

FROST * (inside forward). Clever with his stick and very quick. Backs up well. Rather slow to hit in the circle, but can hit very hard when he wants. On the whole he has been a very reliable and valuable forward. STEELE * (right half). A very resourceful half-back, whose stickwork is an example to others. Positions himself well, is a hard worker and always reliable. HANSON * (left back). Relinquished his last year's position of goalie to become a very hard-working back.

Tackles strongly and very effectively. Is one of the hardest hitters of the side. DAVISON * (right wing forward). Changed over this season from the left wing and has been a success. Once in. the circle he is a very good shot, and it is a pity he did not take the ball, on his own, into the circle more frequently. STRATTON * (goal). He is the discovery of the season, as in the past years has been unable to play. He brought off several remarkable saves and retrieved many a situation lost by the backs. COOKSON (left half). Tried very hard and improved considerably as the season progressed. He is a dogged tackler. He should learn to use the pass to the opposite wing more often. LEIGH (inside forward). A useful player who has a good sense of position. Developed an understanding with his winger, but his passing and shooting could be speeded up. CALEY (centre forward). Quite often he worked well with his inside forwards, but was sometimes too slow to use his position to the best advantage. Shooting rather wild. REYNOLDS (left wing forward). Occupies a difficult position and has improved gradually through the season. Occasionally cut in with success, but generally' was content to centre from the wing. Stickwork and shooting rather slow.

Harnby, Reynolds (A. G.), and Ruddock (G. F.) also played for the XI.

Ist XI.

Sat., Feb. 14th v. York H.C. ... ... ... Lost ... 2 3 Wed., Feb. 25th v. Sheffield University ... Won ... 2 0 Sat., Feb. 28th v. Leeds Corinthians ... Won ... 4 1 Wed., Mar. 4th v. Bootham School ,... ... Won ... 1 0 Wed., Mar. 25th v. I.T.C., Strensall ... ... Lost ... 0 2

House Matches.

1st XI—Semi-final : School House 2, Rise 0. Final : School House 1, Temple 0. 2nd : School House 2, Temple 0. Final : School House 7, Rise 1.

ST. PETER'S SCHOOL v. YORK H.C. Played at Home, Saturday, February 14th. Result: St. Peter's School 2, York 3.

This was the first match of the season, and also the first time that the school had played on a grass pitch. Against a fast side, containing a large number of Old Peterites, the School put up a very creditable performance and gave their opponents a hard game.

Play was very even during the first half. Both sides continued to attack in turn, although at the start of the game the School were definitely on top and gave the York defence several anxious moments. Shortly before half-time A. T. H. Wright scored for York after a furious and lengthy struggle in the School goalmouth. The score stood at 1-0 at half-time.

After the interval, York seemed to wake up and began to attack strongly. The School defence had not settled down again and consequently York were able to score two goals in quick succession. The first resulted from a shot from the York right wing, who had cut in on his own. The second goal followed soon afterwards—a hard shot from the back of the circle beating the School goalkeeper. The School fought back gamely after these setbacks, and play during the rest of the game was very even. The School managed to force several short corners, and from one of these Buckler was able to score a goal. The School's second goal was scored by Reynolds. Frost had a shot at goal. It was stopped. Reynolds followed the shot up, however, and had plenty of time to bang the ball into the back of the goal.

The chief failing of the home side was that the players kept the ball too much to themselves, and that when they eventually did decide to pass the ball, they took too much time and made a simple operation appear very difficult.

ST. PETER'S SCHOOL v. SHEFFIELD UNIVERSITY. Played at Home, Wednesday, February 25th.

Result: St. Peter's School 2, Sheffield University 0.

At the start Sheffield pressed hard, and during the first ten minutes of the game the School goal was once or twice in danger. Play then began to swing over in favour of the School, and the ball was frequently in the opponent's circle. Here the School forwards wasted many an opportunity, but at last Frost found himself unmarked and scored with a hard shot. The School continued to have a monopoly of the ball, and any movement by the opposing forwards was soon checked by the fine play of the School halves and backs. Half-time came with the School leading by one goal to nil.

After the interval Sheffield began to press hard and the School defence was kept busy. Here again, however, the Sheffield forwards did not shoot soon or hard enough to score, and the School, as in the first half, gradually wore them down and began once more to dominate the game. This state of affairs prevailed until the final whistle, except for an occasional break through by a lone Sheffield forward. Just before the end of the game, Buckler scored from a short corner, thus bringing the final score to 2-0 in favour of the home side.

A marked feature of the game was the inability of the forwards on both sides to shoot hard and straight when once in the circle. Special mention should be made of Buckler, Denison and Hanson, who were all on the top of their form.

ST. PETER'S SCHOOL v. LEEDS CORINTHIANS. Played at Home, Saturday, February 28th.

Result: St. Peter's School 4, Leeds Corinthians 1.

The School were on the top of their form for this match and, although the first goal was scored before the Leeds goalkeeper arrived, there is little doubt that the home team

deserved every goal that was scored. Leeds attacked strongly at the start of the game, but the School defence remained intact. After about five minutes' play, Caley picked up a hard clearance from one of the School backs and passed the ball to Davison on the right wing. Davison cut in on his own, reached the edge of the circle, and immediately put the ball into an empty goal. The Leeds goalkeeper arrived almost immediately afterwards, and thereupon play became more even. The ball now began to move about a lot and both sides had their share of attacking. The defences remained on top, however, and both sets of forwards seemed unable to shoot hard when in the circle. Just before half-time the School scored again. Caley had a hard shot at goal, but the Leeds goalkeeper managed to get his pads in the way. The ball bounded back to Reynolds, whose shot, following so swiftly after the first, completely beat the goalkeeper. At half-time the School were two goals ahead.

During the second half, most of the play took place in the Leeds half, and the home side were definitely in the ascendancy. The third goal came a few minutes after the resumption of play, when Caley received the ball after a hard centre from Davison, gave it to Frost, who scored with a grand shot. This goal stirred the Leeds side to great efforts, but the School defence was playing well and Leeds were unable to press home their attacks. Once more the School resumed the offensive, and Buckler, finding himself unmarked in the circle, scored the fourth and last goal for the School. Shortly before full time the Corinthians made a great effort and Ray, eluding the School defenders within the circle, crashed the ball past Stratton's head and into , the goal.

ST. PETER'S SCHOOL v. BOOTHAM SCHOOL. Played away, Wednesday, March 4th. Result : St. Peter's School 1, Bootham 0.

Although the School team had not played together for some considerable time, and although the condition of the ground left much to be desired, there was no excuse for the poor and disappointing exhibition which was provided by the School team.

On the whole, the game was very even, and both sides got a fair share of the ball. The School attacked strongly

at the start of the match, but were unable to press home their attacks. Time and again the Bootham backs cleared and set their forwards in motion, who often looked dangerous. They were always checked by the School defence, in which Stratton played a leading part. On several occasions he effdcted a clearance after the backs had been completely beaten, and at other times his remarkable eye enable him to bring off some equally remarkable clearances. The only goal of the match came when Buckler, following up an attack by the School forwards, checked an attempted clearance and immediately shot hard and true past the unsighted Bootham goalkeeper. Soon afterwards the school goal had a narrow escape, when the ball hit the crosspost of the goal after the defence had been completely beaten. Thence, until half-time, the game developed into a series of ineffectual attacks by both sets of forwards.

The second half was merely a replica of the first, with both sides insisting upon hitting the field instead of the ball. The Bootham attacks were often rendered useless by the tendency of their forwards to get off-side. The School defence played well on the whole and managed to keep their goal intact—but not without a little help from the halfbacks.

ST. PETER'S SCHOOL v. I.T.C., STRENSALL. Played away, Wednesday, March 25th. Result : I.T.C. 2, St. Peter's School 0.

The School were, unfortunately, deprived of the services of three regular members of the team for this match, but nevertheless the substitutes played well against their fast and experienced opponents.

The I.T.C. attacked strongly at the beginning of the game, and the School defence was subjected to a stern test. The Army side eventually scored when their right wing broke through into the circle and scored with a low, hard shot. Undaunted by this setback, the School continued to improve their play, and the game became more even. Play went from one end of the field to the other, each side attacking in turn. The School attacks were continually broken up, however, chiefly because of erratic passing between the wings and the inside forwards. This failing, although to a lesser degree, also characterised the play of the opposing forwards, and there was no further score before half-time.

The I.T.C. attacked strongly after the interval, but the School defence held. The halves, now getting into their stride, began to feed the forwards much better, who were now taking the ball much further into the opponent's half. A weakness in the centre, however, enabled the Army backs to clear regularly, and the School backs were often called upon to deal with dangerous movements arising out of such hard and swift clearances. Half way through the second half the I.T.C. right wing broke through, passed to his inside left, who had plenty of time to put the ball past Stratton in goal. During the time which remained the School tried hard to score, but all their attacking movements lacked finish.

SCHOOL HOUSE I v. RISE I.

Result: School House 2, Rise 0.

At first there appeared to be little to choose between the two sides, but gradually the School House got on top and soon began to attack. Swinging the ball about with commendable skill, the House forced the Rise to be continually on the defensive, and only stout work by the Rise halves and backs kept their goal and circle inviolate. The first goal came after about fifteen minutes' play, when Caley, taking the ball down the field, passed it on to Davison, who scored with a hard, low shot. The Rise revived somewhat after this setback, and they began to attack strongly. The House defence held firm, however, and even when the Rise did get in the circle their shooting was feeble and erratic.. The House led by one goal at half-time.

Play became more even after the interval, but the School House were still the better side. Both sides were now playing a lot better, and some clever passing and stickwork was to be seen. Many a good movement finished badly, however, and the two goalkeepers must often have been astounded at their luck. Shortly before full time the School House forced a short corner. From this, Buckler scored the second goal for his side. The game ended soon afterwards, leaving the School House worthy victors by two goals to. nil.

TEMPLE HOUSE I v. SCHOOL HOUSE I. Result : School House 1, Temple House 0.

Perhaps the chief characteristics of all House Hockey matches are the unbridled enthusiasm which they arouse,.

and the fact that each side is generally dependent upon the brilliant efforts of one or two outstanding players.

This match, however, proved to be an exception to the general rule. It was a hard and keenly contested game, in which each player gave of his utmost and often rivalled the standard of play set by the accepted " stars " of the game.

School House took the initiative immediately after the bully-off, and except for some infrequent sorties into the School House half, Temple were constantly upon the defensive throughout the game. The vigour and strength of the School House attack, however, was generally met with success by a dour and steadfast Temple defence. Many a time did Davison, Caley and Leigh find themselves on the edge of the Temple circle, but somehow or other the Temple backs always managed to clear the ball. At last, however, the School House scored. From a corner taken by Davison, Buckler, after first being checked, had a second shot and put the ball past Amos into the Temple goal. Temple answered with their only serious attack, but the School House defence held out, and when half-time came School House were once more attacking.

In the second part of the game both centre-halves managed to get through a lot of hard work for their sides. Buckler played his usual good game, and his energetic play provided a powerful support to the School House forwards. Walker, the Temple centre-half, while possibly employing less orthodox methods, often broke up a School House attack, and was an outstanding member of the Temple side.

Play in the second half was confined almost entirely to the Temple half of the field, and the frequent melees in the Temple circle aroused great excitement, which abated only when Denison or Bodington achieved the all-important clearance. Late in the game the Temple forwards broke into the circle, but only to put the ball wide of the goal. The final whistle went with School House still in the lead and in the attack, but still unable to pierce the Temple defence a second time. He who attacks invariably beats even the best defender.

SCHOOL HOUSE II v. TEMPLE HOUSE II. Result: School House 2, Temple House 0.

The match started, as most games of this type do, with plenty of striking but little connecting. As the game

progressed, however, some semblance of constructive play became evident, and Penniston achieved some purposeful, if rather lofty, drives. The School House attacked from the beginning, and a prolonged melee took place in the Temple circle. The Temple defenders resisted strongly, but suddenly, in the space of a few minutes, the two goals of the match were scored in quick succession, Penniston scored the first with a well-timed drive from the edge of the circle, and Goodman scored the next by hitting the ball through a confused mixture of feet and sticks.

During the second half Temple attacked persistently and forced the School House to concede a number of short corners. The Temple forwards could never get in a good shot, however, and their attacks were never concluded successfully. Play in the second half was very even, and no more goals were scored before the end of the match.

SCHOOL HOUSE II v. RISE II. Result: School House 7, Rise 1.

Once again the standard of Hockey was low, but the School House hit the ball harder and to better effect than the Rise, who rarely showed any signs of combination. Play in the first half was very even, although the Rise were more often on the defensive than their opponents. Soon after the start the School House scored their first goal after a prolonged scramble in the Rise circle. After this the Rise immediately went into the attack and soon scored an equalising goal. There was no further score until shortly before half-time, when the School House once again took the lead.

The second half brought along a completely different state of affairs. The Rise defence collapsed completely, and the School House side entirely dominated the game. Consequently, they scored five more goals, and this number would have been greater but for the dangerous and erratic shooting of their forwards. The only player worthy of mention was Penniston. Although he was obviously a golfer before he was a hockey player, he at least hit the ball hard and got it moving.