Hockey

D. J. Cook,* D. T. Sparham, P. S. H. Jesper, R. A. Elliott,* G. F. B. Michell, F. C. Beaumont,* C. J. Woolley, J. R. Peverley, H. W. H. Unwin, G. V. Plester, R. L. Evans. * Played in all three matches.

The House matches were also played this term; the results being as follows.

Queen's / Manor .1 Queen's (3-2) / School House f Queen's (3-2) 1 Grove Rise j Grove (3-2) 1 Grove (4-1) J Grove (3-2) Temple D. J.C.

HOCKEY, 1957

An Easter Term without any snow would appear to be the answer to every hockey player's prayer, but it was discovered that rain, in superabundance, is almost as disastrous as snow—almost, but not quite, for many exciting, and indeed bloody, battles were fought out on the asphalt or the runways of Clifton aerodrome, with a consequent improvement in stickwork. The pitches, after the first fortnight, were rarely fit for anything but matches, and even the half-holidays in March, wrung from athletics, did not provide the extra practice expected, owing to the softness of the ground. We shall hope to make better use of this time in future years.

The First XI did, however, play more matches than usual and the record is not discouraging. With more practice on firm grounds this could have been a good side, especially if they could have overcome the inherent weakness in shooting. Against a strong Styx side they played better hockey than any school side has played for years and they put up quite a creditable performance against the Old Peterites.

The main strength lay in the defence, which played unchanged throughout the season. The three old colours—Pfluger, successfully converted to left-half, Kirby, and Netherwood—always played well, the last-named being the most improved player of the year. Our luck with goalkeeping discoveries held, as Robbins-Jones developed into a first-class goalkeeper, fully deserving to rank alongside ReidSmith and Taylor of recent years. His coolness and judgment were admirable, and against Trent, when for once the defence faltered, he alone prevented a cricket score. McCallum, tried at centre-forward and right-half before settling down at right back, performed most creditably in only his second season of hockey. A little ponderous in his movements, he was nevertheless usually in the right place at approximately the right time, and he tackled and hit well. After 51

some preliminary uncertainty he developed a good understanding with his partner. Baxter another converted forward, filled the right-half position adequately. Although never outstanding, he improved with every match and generally supported his forwards well.

The forwards, however, never really combined into an effective attacking force. Many different players and combinations were tried in practice games and the final line-up was probably the best. Lack of technical skill in the basic arts made all their movements slow and hence allowed the defence to cover before danger really threatened. The three old colours, Brocklebank, Richards, and Irvin, did not make much progress from last year, although Brocklebank, when tried on the right ring, did look a much better player than he had done at centre-forward. Irvin, handicapped at the beginning of the season by an injured wrist, never showed anything like his last year's form and finally had to be dropped, whilst Richards' boundless energy was mostly misdirected—when he did take just those extra seconds to think, he used the ball well, but his passes were mostly made too hurriedly and blindly. The most effective forward was Thorp— starting on the right wing and then moving to the more difficult left wing, he immediately showed great promise. His methods, though at present a little stereotyped, are effective, and he appreciates that a left-winger's job is to get the ball into the middle before the defence can cover. Macpherson at inside-left is a naturally gifted player, also in his second year of hockey, but his play was spasmodic; he too rarely saw the opening soon enough and he was reluctant to tackle back or go for the ball. Ridley was tried at inside-left for the first two games but did not achieve much—in the final reorganisation of the forward line he came in at centre-forward, where he did some effective things, but his lack of ball-control prevented him from putting his enthusiasm and energy to profitable use.

Some of the Second XI only narrowly missed selection for the First XI and this meant that there were the makings of an unusually good team. In addition, there was considerable competition for the remaining places. The team's standard of play in matches was quite high and pleasantly free from the excessive clumsiness that has too often characterised a Second XI. The defence was effective, although it was sometimes flattered by a lack of firm attacks, whilst the forwards showed a commendable determination to get goals, if in a somewhat crude fashion.

The second and third games suffered from the soft state of the grounds but gained useful practice on ashphalt, which should form the basis of good hockey, when the players do eventually feel firm turf under their feet. Enthusiasm, at least, knew no bounds, and very sincere thanks are due to those members of the Staff who devoted so much time and energy to helping these younger players by both precept and example.

FIRST XI

T. J. Robbins-Jones ;* A. McCallum, P. J. Netherwood;* R. Baxter, D. Kirby,* D. Pfluger ;* D. N. Brocklebank, W. N. Richards, I. N. Ridley, D. G. Macpherson, R. H. Thorp. * Denotes Caps. SECOND XI

R. R. Baldwin; G. F. B. Michell, P. S. H. Jesper; P. B. Burbidge, D. T. Sparham* (Capt.), R. T. Burdon; D. B. Irvin, K. A. Hopper,* M. J. Kershaw,* J. R. Maxwell, D. C. Parry.

* Denotes Colours.

T. D. J. Layfield and R. C. Hopkinson also played.

FIRST XI MATCHES

6th Feb. v. WELBECK COLLEGE. Home. Drawn, 1-1.

The first match of the term was played in very difficult conditions, and the School forwards found accurate passing almost impossible on the soft and muddy pitch. The Welbeck team had the same difficulties but proved to be more adaptable and hit the ball very well in the circumstances. Shortly before half-time Welbeck scored after a mistake by the backs. Brocklebank, however, defeated their goalkeeper soon after the interval by pushing the ball between his pads. The remainder of the match was a battle between the forceful moves of the Welbeck forwards and the defensive tactics of the School backs and Robbins-Jones, who made several excellent saves. 9th Feb. v. ASHVILLE COLLEGE. Away. Won, 1-0.

This match was also played in marshy conditions on a rough pitch, which made hockey well-nigh impossible. Again the forwards could not combine successfully and their powers of penetration were almost negligible. Ashville attacked from the outset and were unfortunate to have a goal disallowed for "sticks". About the only good movement by the School forwards resulted in a goal by Brocklebank from a well-placed cross-pass from Thorp. The second half saw conditions deteriorate even more and the game degenerated into "hit and run". Once again Robbins-Jones must be commended for his excellent goalkeeping. 20th Feb. v. SCARBOROUGH COLLEGE. Away. Won, 4 0.

This year the team was not subjected to the ordeal by water on the beach, as the pitches proved playable. The School was obviously superior in every phase of the game. With a re-arranged forward line the ball was at last swung about and the Scarborough defence was soon in great trouble. Thorp opened the score with a fine shot from a rebound after a corner. Brocklebank shortly afterwards beat the goalkeeper with a well placed shot and Kirby made the half-time score 3-0 with a powerful shot from a short corner. In the second half the home defence tightened up and only allowed one more goal by Brocklebank.

This was an encouraging performance on a difficult pitch.

27th Feb. v. BOOTHAM SCHOOL. Away. Won, 3-2.

Played on a soft pitch, this was a game which promised to be fast and open but developed into a somewhat negative battle between the defences. From the bully-off the School tried to swing the ball about, but a good defence prevented much progress. Macpherson opened the score when he flicked the ball into an open goal, after the goalkeeper had made a weak clearance. There was little good hockey in the second half, but slowness in defence allowed Bootham to score twice. Following a goal-mouth melee Brocklebank scored from a penalty bully against the goalkeeper, and with only seconds remaining Kirby scored the deciding goal with a fine drive from the edge of the circle. ' 2nd Mar. v. TRENT COLLEGE. Away. Lost, 0-3.

The team was undoubtedly lucky to leave Trent only three goals down. On a rather bumpy pitch the more experienced Trent side had much to teach the School in every aspect of the game, except possibly for goalkeeping, for, had it not been for an inspired display by Robbins-Jones, Trent would have scored many more goals. The School forwards had lost all their skill and never looked like penetrating the sound Trent defence. The game was fast and open on a glorious day, but we were well and truly beaten by a better side. 9th Mar. v. OLD PETERITES. Home. Lost, 0-2.

Owing to the soft condition of the School ground this game and that against Styx H.C. were played on the York H.C. ground, which provided the School side with their only experience of a hard, firm surface. It is significant that in these two games, against the most experienced sides they played, they produced by far their best form of the season.

A strong Old Boys' side was held to no score at half-time, thanks chiefly to some fine play by McCallum and Netherwood, who never gave ground, and another good performance by Robbins-Jones. Thomas, in the other goal, thwarted the School forwards more than once, but, generally speaking, the Old Peterites' halves and backs were too experienced for the School's somewhat stereotyped attacks. It was Magson, in an unaccustomed position on the right wing, who opened the scoring with a good angled shot, and, soon after this, Bough ran through to put the ball well wide of Robbins-Jones.

OLD PETERITE XI.

T. E. Thomas; E. Graham, P. Collins; P. B. Mitchinson, A. T. Booth, S. J. White; N. J. Magson, P. M. Steele (Capt.), R. G. Bough, J. Pulleyn, M. Hallas. 13th Mar. v. STYX H.C. Home. Lost, 3-7.

Faced with a very experienced team, the School moved the ball accurately and quickly and, at times, had complete mastery over the Styx defence. The backs and halves were quick into the tackle and to intercept, and even Bellerby found progress difficult against the 54