May 1961

HOCKEY After resigning ourselves in the opening weeks to the usual Easter term weather and having to cancel the first match, it gradually became apparent that we were after all to have more than our usual quota of real Hockey weather. All the remaining fixtures were played in increasingly good conditions and, thanks to the untiring efforts of Mr. Johnston and his staff, the 1st XI pitch was, by the end of the short season, in excellent condition.

Unfortunately we were not to have the team to benefit fully from these unusual conditions : this was not surprising with only two old colours, Woodruff and Hewitt, left from last year. Even so the side generally gave a good account of itself once it had settled down, and, as is always the case, played best against the strongest opposition.

Team-building presented some difficulties, although certain players laid claim to their positions right from the start. Robson and Jesper, for instance, of last year's 2nd XI, played consistently well at right and left half respectively : both hit very good cross passes and generally tackled and stopped the ball well, whilst their covering in defence often saved dangerous situations. Hutchinson also assured himself of the right wing position with good displays early in the season : he learned to beat his man when necessary and his speed and hard-hit centres had many a defence in trouble, although they were too often wasted by the insides. Here Woodruff never recaptured his form; it would seem that his best position is really outside right, where lack of stickwork is not such a drawback. However, he always tried hard and set a good example to his team with his untiring efforts. Of the three other newcomers to the forward line Hackney showed the most promise, with good stickwork and intelligent positional play.

Hunt and Headlam did not develop as well as they promised to do at the start of term, but both showed glimpses of natural ability and should develop into good hockey players. The outstanding players in the defence were Alderson at centre-half and Gildener in goal : the former played with increasing authority as the season progressed, his anticipation, interception and covering being particularly good; he learned to support his forwards in attack and when he can pass more quickly, using the push as much as the hit, he could become a first-class player. Gildener, who pressed Hewitt hard last year for the goalkeeper's position, showed early in the term that he had improved considerably, and as Hewitt, after one good display at Trent, appeared to lose confidence, he II-Rd to give way, although he continued to play more than adequately for the 2nd XI. Gildener went from strength to strength and produced some brilliant displays, especially against the powerful York and Styx sides : he is of the phlegmatic, unspectacular school of goalkeepers, showing great courage and admirable judgment and kicking cleanly and far—a worthy successor to a long line of very good goalkeepers. The two backs, Brown and Shouksmith, the latter a converted forward, were 37