Hockey N.Z. PLAYERS ASSEMBLE

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28554, 7 April 1958, Page 18

Hockey N.Z. PLAYERS ASSEMBLE

Practice Match At Lincoln Fourteen hockey players, from which the New Zealand team to play Pakistan in the first test match at Lancaster Park on Saturday will be chosen, assembled at Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, on Friday for intensive training under the direction of the New Zealand coach (Mr E. S. Hobson). As a start to training, a New Zealand eleven chosen by Mr Hobson played a team comprising the New Zealand reserves and two former New Zealand players. J. W. Kiddey and M. Down, and Canterbury representatives. The New Zealand eleven was:— W. Schaeffer (Wairarapa); I. Kerr (Wellington), J. Abrams (Canterbury); M. Wall (Canterbury), B. Turner (Manawatu), R. Lapworth (Wellington), G. Davy (Auckland), M. Walan (Auckland), N. Hobson (Canterbury), K. Cumberpatch (Canterbury), P. Bygrave (Auckland). The combined team, named the Lincoln team, was of sufficient strength to give the New Zealand eleven a solid wbrk-out, and the final score of 4-3 in New Zealand’s favour gives some indication of the strength of the opposition. Such was the play of the Lincoln team that it would not be surprising if Mr Hobson makes several changes in the New Zealand team which is to meet Pakistan from that which plaved on Saturday. The most likely player for promotion is J. Barclav, the Waikato back, who was the outstanding player .in the Lincoln team. Barclay was -a member of the New Zealand Country team which toured New South Wales last year. K. Percy (Wairarapa), another New Zealand reserve who played in the Lincoln team, was very good in the circle and could easily win selection.