8 minute read
Hockey, 1954
from May 1954
by StPetersYork
RETROSPECT
With none of last year's side available—Crosskill was unfortunately declared unfit for the whole season—prospects were extremely dubious. However, in spite of this and the unfavourable weather, which cut the season by half, the 1st XI was beginning to show signs of promise when the time came to discard sticks in favour of spikes. Of the team as finally composed no less than seven were in their second season of hockey, so the narrow defeat by Worksop on their ground was actually the most encouraging sign of the term.
Originally an attempt was made to build up a side round six of last year's 2nd XI, but eventually only three of these—Bough, Nelson, and 'Macpherson—kept their places in the team. The backs, Crowe and Holmes, proved to be far too slow for 1st XI hockey and gave way to Johnson and Lapidge, who both played well on their only two appearances; Lapidge especially should make a good back, if he can control a tendency to hit wildly when under pressure.
All three halves had previously had only six weeks of hockey, although Macpherson played for the 2nd XI last year. He did not improve as much as might have been expected, but he was always reliable in defence. The other wing-half, Bulmer, took time to settle down in a difficult position, but he never gave up and did undoubtedly improve during the season. Mitchinson was a tower of strength at centre-half and frequently saved the situation in the circle with his good eye and powerful hitting and flicking; the demands of defence unfortunately prevented him from supporting his forwards as much as he might have done, but he should develop into a first-class player.
The forwards were seldom able to get into their stride for lack of good passes from the defence, but they did at times look quite dangerous. Bough was as good a centre-forward as any school could want—a player with a good hockey sense, quick off the mark and always ready to have a shot at goal, he would have been a matchwinner with better support. As it was, he was rather too unselfish to forage for himself, instead of waiting for passes which did not come. Nelson, on the right wing, always looked dangerous but was too often starved—he, too, might with advantage have gone in to the circle on his own instead of centring orthodoxly, only to see the ball go straight across the goal. More use of this wing in the Worksop match might well have turned defeat into unexpected victory. Willstrop never quite fulfilled his early promise on the left wing, but it is a very difficult position and he undoubtedly has the ability to make a success of it with more practice and better passes.
The inside forward positions posed a difficult problem. Lewis, of last year's 2nd XI, was first tried at inside right but failed to provide the necessary mid-field link, so Bardgett took his place after two games. 47
Although never brilliant, he worked hard and was showing signs of promise by the end of the season. Similarly Pfluger, who played at inside left in all the games, although rather slow in thinking and often in execution, should have benefited from his experience; both of these players should do well next year.
The real find of the season was the goalkeeper : at the beginning of the term there were three intrepid volunteers in answer to an appeal for goalkeepers, and Taylor immediately gave the impression that he had been playing in goal all his life. He was an obvious choice for the 1st XI and played well throughout the season. Admirably cool, courageous and quick in action, he kicked well and showed excellent judgment in coming out of his goal—now and again he even disdained boot and pad and saved hard shots nonchalantly with his stick !
Bough was an enthusiastic and capable captain, who has done himself less than justice in his match reports; he was perhaps a little too shy of making his voice heard sufficiently on the field, but centre forward is by no means the ideal position for a captain.
With the possibility of having six of the team available next year, prospects should be brighter, although lack of practice in the Junior games is bound to have a detrimental effect on performance next year.
THE 2nd XI
The weather and the requirements of the 1st XI made difficult the construction of a team; but those who played for the 2nd XI gained some useful and enjoyable match experience.
On results we cannot pretend to have had a successful season, and the main weakness has lain in a lack of attacking power rather than of defence. This weakness has been most marked where it matters most, in quick shooting at goal and in following up by the other forwards. Almost all the goals scored for the 2nd XI have resulted from opportunities quickly seized, rather than from shots taken with time to choose the ideal position. But many such opportunities were lost.
The defensive play, considering the many changes made, was usually fairly sound, but sometimes spoilt by lack of any anticipation of the opponents' movements.
Some of the younger players in the side have shown considerable promise for next year.
The beginners' game, of necessity limited to 30 players, suffered acutely from the weather and heavy grounds. However, the players made up in enthusiasm for what they lacked in skill, and many showed encouraging signs of the latter virtue. The main faults lay in refusal to keep position, too much dribbling and supreme, but misplaced, confidence in their ability to stop the ball with reversed stick, instead of moving the feet.
HOCKEY RESULTS 1st XI
Sat., 30th Jan. Leeds Corinthian "A" ••• Home Lost 0-3 Wed., 17th Feb. Scarborough College •• • Home Won 5-2 Sat., 20th Feb. York H.C. •• • Away Lost 2-11 Wed., 24th Feb. Bootham School • • • Home Lost 0-1 Sat., 27th Feb. Old Peterites •• • Home Lost 0-4 Mon. 8th Mar. Worksop College ••• Away Lost 1-2
2nd XI
Wed., 17th Feb. Scarborough College ... Home Won 6-0 Sat., 20th Feb. York H.C. ... Home Lost 2-4 Wed., 24th Feb. Bootham School ... ... Away Lost 3-4 Mon. 8th Mar. Worksop College ... Away Lost 0-8
1st XI.
P. G. Taylor; R. N. Johnson, P. K. Lapidge; D. A. Macpherson,
P. B. Mitchinson, H. C. Bulmer; R. Nelson, P. L. Bardgett, R. G. Bough (Captain), D. Pfluger, M. Willstrop. 2nd XI.
J. Ford; P. Crowe (Captain), D. C. Holmes; J. H. Hepworth, G. Ridley, D. Wilkinson; J. M. Grainger, C. H. Lewis, F. J. Pacey, J. B. Huzzard, R. D. Wheatley.
1st XI MATCHES SCHOOL 0 v. LEEDS CORINTHIAN 3 Saturday, 30th January.
After only a week of preparation we entered the first match with a team very much under test. On a firm ground the more experienced Leeds team swung the ball about, but the School backs were equal to the occasion, until hesitancy in defence led to the first goal. However, Leeds did not have all the play, as the School forwards came near to scoring on several occasions. Leeds scored two other goals before the end, but we looked to bigger things after this encouraging display.
Since three matches had been cancelled owing to snow, we entertained Scarborough without having had much practice. The Scarborough forwards overran the School defence for the first 20 minutes, and under severe pressure Taylor, in goal, came through with flying colours, limiting the score to one goal.
Eventually the School found their feet and equalised when Willstrop sent over a high centre from which Bough scored. Halftime : 1-1.
After the interval the School team was transformed, and with the defence hitting hard across field, the forwards were able to show their 49
paces. A good run by Wilistrop resulted in a melee before Bough pushed the ball into the goal, and soon after, a cross-shot by Nelson found the net. Two further goals were scored by Bough, one from a short-corner, before Scarborough reduced the arrears just before the end.
SCHOOL 2 v. YORK HOCKEY CLUB 11 Saturday, 20th February.
Owing to the bad state of the School ground caused by the recent weather, the match was transferred to the York ground which was surprisingly dry.
York, captained by Mr. Dodds, played into a strong sun, and swept to the School circle to score. Against a hesistant and slow defence the York forwards were able to do as they pleased and goals followed at regular intervals. However, when the School forwards did enter the York circle, they scored through Bough.
In the second half, the School defence hit the ball harder and Mitchinson and Macpherson were prominent in keeping the York forwards in check. However, the Bellerby-Terry wing was not to be denied and further goals were scored before a good run by Wilistrop put Bough through to score again.
SCHOOL 0 v. BOOTHAM SCHOOL 1 Wednesday, 24th February.
The School had the usual start with Bootham pressing for most of the opening 15 minutes. Then two good runs by Nelson relieved a harassed defence, but Bootham finally scored after more pressure. Again we were in debt to Taylor for being only one goal down at half-time.
It was hoped that the half-time "pep-talk" would rouse the team from its apathy, but the Bootham mid-field players gave our defence a harassing time. However, Taylor and Mitchinson distinguished themselves with good clearances. A period of intensive pressure on the Bootham goal followed and both Nelson and Wilistrop came near with good shots. However, the Bootham defence weathered the storm and won a disappointing match. SCHOOL 0 v. OLD PETERITES 4 Saturday, 27th February.
The Old Peterites attacked from the start and worried the School defence which contained two new backs in Lapidge and Johnson. The defence, which was considerably strengthened, recovered and end to end play followed. However, hesitancy in defence led to the first and only goal of the first half to the Old Peterites.
Immediately after the restart, the Old Peterites swept down the field and Fawcett scored with a cross-shot from the left wing. The 50
