TBHS tested at Anzac event
It’s been a tricky couple of days for the Timaru Boys’ High School first XI hockey side.
After a good 4-2 win against St Bede’s College on Monday morning, the side suffered losses to John McGlashan College 3-2 and Christchurch Boys’ High School 8-0 in the Anzac tournament Timaru.
Shirley Boys’ High and Otago Boys’ High are also playing in the six-team tournament.
They are playing the FIH rules used in the Indian hockey competition this year, which sees teams earn two points for a field goal and one from a penalty corner.
The rules were added to encourage more teams to attack.
Timaru Boys’ High coach Ben Grant said the side started strongly against St Bede’s.
‘‘We played pretty well but there were times where we drifted in and out of the clash. But any time you play against St Bede’s and win is a good result, it gives us some confidence heading into the Christchurch secondary schools competition.’’
Boys High scored twice from penalty corners against St Bede’s and one from the field with Oli Anderson, William Sharp and Liam Parker the benefactors.
In the night match against John McGlashan, Grant said the team went away from their plans.
‘‘We were probably the better team but they wanted it more than us and were hungrier than we were. We missed a couple of scoring opportunities which I think we’d usually make.’’
He said it was tough for the side with 13 players.
‘‘It’s never easy when you’re down a couple of players but we missed Jono and Matt Ellis and Brad Cvitanich in the clash.’’
Tim Sheed, Cvitanich and captain Sharp have been superb for the side, leading the way in the matches to date, with the former scoring a superb individual goal against McGlashan.
Grant said they were after two strong performances to finish the tournament.
‘‘I think we can get second if we play well and a result or two goes our way,’’ he said.
Christchurch Boys were their only clash on Anzac Day and proved too tough, running out convincing winners.
It was a good effort by TBHS considering CBHS beat Shirley Boys 16-0 on day one.
Sheed and Sharp were again superb, while Jack Sands and Alec Whitticase had strong games, with both making some top defensive plays.
Today, Timaru face Shirley and Otago Boys.