Hockey, 1953

5. v. OLD PETERITES. M. J. Wood beat J. A. Hannon, 3-0. E. A. M. Reid-Smith lost to P. V. Leigh, 0-3. W. G. A. Maxwell beat R. D. Watson, 3-1. M. Willstrop beat R. M. Leigh, 3-1. R. Nelson beat T. Hobson, 3-0.

Three competitions were Played this term. The Senior was won by M. Willstrop, the Intermediate by W. G. A. Maxwell and the Junior by N. J. Magson. In the House matches School House beat the Rise in the first round (3 - 2). Manor beat temple (3--2) and Grove beat School House (3-0) in the semi-finals. In the final the Grove beat the Manor (3-0). M. J. Wood, as Captain of the School team, was the outstanding player of the year, and did not defend his title in the School Squash Competitions. We look forward with interest to his progress in the Drysdale Cup.

RETROSPECT

Before the season started Fawcett, the Captain-elect, was told that he would be unable to play at all owing to cartilage trouble : this was a sad blow both for him and for the side, but he played a Captain's part nevertheless, giving much valuable assistance and support both to the XIs and to the other games.

Four old colours therefore remained—Reid-Smith in goal, Booth at right half, Wood and Pullan at inside and outside left respectively, and the latter acted as Captain on the field. Practice games soon revealed promising forwards in Burdass, Maxwell, and Moore, whilst Hudson and De Little appeared to be the obvious full backs, although Crowe was little behind either and actually deputised very successfully for Hudson in one match. There was, however, a lack of halves : eventually Gudgeon filled the centre-half position and although not brilliant, performed there quite adequately. For left half the "Beginners" game had to be approached and it produced Crosskillnot a genuine beginner, although only 15 and in his first year of hockey at the School. He justified his selection by playing very well throughout the season.

It soon became clear that the team's main strength lay in the forwards—a rare state of affairs in School hockey, but an extremely welcome one. As the season progressed the newcomers to the forward line outshone the two old Colours, both of whom lost form after a promising start : 'Maxwell was a danger to any defence with his speed off the mark, and Moore and Burdass on the right improved with every match.

The defence was by no means weak—in five school matches they only conceded seven goals, of which five were in one game—but the backs tended to stray out of position, and some of Gudgeon's clearances were not very well directed. As a result. Reid-Smith was often called upon to save the day, and right nobly did he do it—many of his saves were acrobatic and savoured of soccer rather than hockey, while he sometimes kicked a prodigious length.

The same side was played in every match apart from the one occasion mentioned above, and only against the Old Peterites and Worksop did they fail to impress.

The 2nd XI experienced a less pleasing season, although their record shows a satisfying progress in the right direction. They suffered in practice from being outclassed by the 1st XI and their forwards consequently never formed the habit of scoring goals; however, in the last two matches they showed some promise and in a season of normal length they might well have developed into quite a good side.

A word must be said of the "Beginners" games—the first, under Canon , Patteson's guidance made much progress and produced some very promising players, whilst the second, under Mr. Manby, showed commendable enthusiasm and, in places, not a little science. Many beginners would do well to remember, however, that, although casual hockey in spare time is generally admirable, far more benefit would be derived from it if some slight effort were made to obey the more common rules, in particular the one which prohibits the brandishing of the stick in emulation of a broadsword expert about to cleave his unfortunate opponent from helm to chine.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS 1st XI

v. Ashville College ... v. Scarborough College v. York H.C. ... v. Bootham School v. Old Peterites v. Worksop College v. Trent College Away Won 3-1 Away Won 3-0 Away Lost 2-4 Away Won 6-0 Home Lost 2-4 Home Lost 1-5 Home Won 7-1

2nd XI

v. Ashville College ... v. Bridlington School 1st XI v. Bootham School ... v. Worksop College ... v. Trent College .. Away Lost 1-5 Away Lost 1-11 Home Lost 0-1 Home Lost 5-6 Home Won 2-1

The final composition of the 2nd XI was as follows :—J. Ford; P. Crowe, D. R. C. Holmes; D. A. Macpherson, J. 0. Walton (Capt.), J. H. Hepworth; Nelson, C. H. Lewis, R. G. Bough, H. P. G. Shaw, M. A. Butterworth.