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

generally steady, if not as fleet of foot as one could have wished : they both tackled well and hit cleanly, if not always accurately or quickly enough. Mention must here be made of Collins, who would almost certainly have gained a place in the side but for his stubborn Rugger injury; he took his bad luck very well and gave valuable help with coaching and umpiring.

The 2nd XI suffered from the changes in the 1st XI but still managed to remain unbeaten after their first two matches. Territt and Henwood were the mainstay of the defence, whilst Carr showed promise of being a very dangerous centre-forward.

In such a short season it is inevitable that some players of talent in Game 2 do not get a trial in the 1st Game, but some had a chance of showing their paces when a team was produced to do combat with a Staff XI of very dubious, but in many cases surprising ability. The Staff preserved their unbeaten record and their dignity by winning 4-3, the climax being a brilliant save by the Staff goalkeeper in the last minute of the game, the gentleman in question thereby condemning himself to occupying that position until he reaches retiring age.

The School XIs were :

1ST XI

G. Gildener; D. L. Brown, J. A. Shouksmith; A. C. Robson, *G. W. A. R. Alderson, M. C. M. Jesper; S. R. Hutchinson, P. Hunt, M. W. Woodruff (Capt.), J. D. M. Hackney, K. W. Headlam. * Cap

2ND XI

F. J. A. Hewitt; J. J. Kettlewell, *C. J. Territt; J. L. Richardson, *C. Henwood, *J. M. Atkinson; R. A. B. Wood, *G. Mann, *J. D. Carr, M. McCallum, J. C. Lacy.

* Colours

RESULTS

1st XI Sat., 28 Jan. v. Leeds Corinthian ... Wed., 1 Feb. v. Trent College ... Sat., 4 Feb. v. Welbeck College ... Wed., 15 Feb. v. Scarborough College Sat., 18 Feb. v. York H.C. ... Wed., 22 Feb. v. Bootham School Wed., 1 Mar. v. Worksop College Sat., 4 Mar. v. Old Peterites ... Wed., 8 Mar. v. Styx H.C. Home Cancelled Away Lost 1-2 Home Lost 0-1 Away Lost 2-4 Away Lost 0-4 Away Won 3-0 Home Lost 0-1 Home Won 4-3 Home Lost 0-5

2nd XI Wed., 1 Feb. v. Trent College ... Sat., 4 Feb. v. Welbeck College ... Wed., 8 Feb. v. Fulneck School ... Wed., 15 Feb. v. Scarborough College Sat., 18 Feb. v. York H.C. ... Wed., 22 Feb. v. Bootham School ... Wed., 1 Mar. v. Worksop College Away Cancelled Home Lost 0-3 Away Lost 1-8 Away Won 3-0 Home Drawn 0-0 Home Drawn 0-0 Home Drawn 1-1

1at" XI ., 11 Feb. v. York H.C. 2nd XI Away Lost 1-3

v. TRENT COLLEGE. Away, 1st February. Lost 1-2

In a rather scrappy first half, with both sides lacking practice, the School promised well, with Hutchinson making some dangerous runs and centres, from one of which Woodruff scored a good goal. After half-time, however, Trent played much better and the School defence wilted under the constant pressure; desperate clearances went straight to the opposition and many corners were given away. In spite of a good performance by Hewitt, Trent justly scored two goals, whilst the School forwards made only sporadic raids.

Team :—Hewitt; Brown, Alderson; Robson, Henwood, Jesper; Hutchinson, Hunt, Woodruff, McCallum, Headlam.

v. WELBECK COLLEGE. Home, 4th February. Lost 0-1

The School pitch was very soft and made good hockey almost impossible. On the whole Welbeck stopped and hit the ball more cleanly and made their passes more accurately than the home team. It was, however, a half-hit shot which bounced awkwardly that gave them the winning goal. This was not a very inspiring display by the School side, but much could be excused in view of the conditions.

Team : Unchanged.

v. SCARBOROUGH COLLEGE. Away, 15th Feb. Lost 2-4

The very poor surface made accurate hockey very difficult, but this was little excuse for a very lethargic effort by the School. Caught napping from the bully-off, the defence never recovered, Hewitt having a poor game and everyone, except Jesper, failing to keep a cool head. After two quick goals by Scarborough, Headlam reduced the lead just before half-time, but Scarborough scored twice again before the School side woke up and played better hockey. It was too late, however, and their only reward was a goal by Woodruff.

Team : Hewitt; Brown, Shouksmith; Robson, Alderson, Jesper; Hutchinson, Hunt, Woodruff, Hackney, Headlam.

v. YORK H.C. Away, 18th February. Lost 0-4 The School was not to be overawed by the quality of the opposition—one of the strongest sides in Yorkshire—and during a very good first half they swung the ball about well and gave the Club defence quite an energetic time. The defence, re-organised for the Scarborough match, now settled down and quick tackling and firm hitting prevented the clever Club forwards from making much progress, when they did shoot they found Gildener, playing his first game for the School, in brilliant form. In fact, it was not until the 39

game was well into the second half that the constant pressure began to tell and York were able to add three goals to the one they had been allowed in the first half.

This was a most encouraging display against very strong opposition and it is hoped that many lessons were learned.

Team : Gildener for Hewitt.

v. BOOTHAM SCHOOL. Away, 22nd February. Won 3-0

Both sides hit the ball hard from the start, although there were not enough cross passes seriously to worry either defence. The School forwards kept the ball a little too close and attempted to beat a man rather than pass, usually with fatal results. Hutchinson had one or two good runs, but it was not until a few minutes before half-time that the Bootham goalkeeper saved a shot from Woodruff, only to be beaten by Hackney following up.

Soon after half-time the School had a lucky escape when the ball hit a post on the only occasion that Gildener, who had another excellent match, was beaten. Thereafter the defence, with Alderson, Brown and Shouksmith especially prominent, dealt competently with all attacks. With the wing-halves supporting them well, the forwards now began to press hard, and when the ball ran loose after a long corner, Robson crashed home a brilliant shot from the edge of the circle. Shortly afterwards Woodruff went through on his own to beat the goalkeeper and push the ball into an empty goal. The School's performance in this match showed how much they had learned from the game against York.

Team : Unchanged.

v. WORKSOP COLLEGE. Home, 1st March. Lost 0-1

For once Worksop came to this match without a win to their credit and it was a good opportunity for the improving School side on their own ground to record their first victory over the visitors for some years. But is was not to be : the form of the previous two matches now eluded them and the defence was uncertain, whilst the forwards missed many scoring opportunities. Fortunately Worksop failed in the latter respect as well, their only goal being a scrambled affair after the defence had failed to clear the ball quickly. The School showed slightly better form in the last quarter of an hour but their shooting still let them down. It was a disappointing match, when conditions were all in our favour.

Team : Unchanged.

v. OLD PETERITES. Home, 4th March. Won 4-3

In a very even game the School just had the edge in speed and fitness. Two good goals by Hackney and Hunt gave them an early lead, which was reduced to 2-1 at half-time. The Old Boys equal- 40