Roller Skating N.Z. HOCKEY TITLES

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28784, 3 January 1959, Page 8

Roller Skating N.Z. HOCKEY TITLES

Play On First Day

Hutt Valley, the New Zealand A grade champion team, was unbeaten on the first day of the national roller hockey championships which began in Christchurch yesterday. The championships are being held on the rink built at the King Edward Barracks for the World Roller Skating Congress international amateur championships. This is the first time the hockey titles have been competed for in Christchurch. Hutt Valley had a good game against Christchurch in the morning and won by three goals to one. The team then had an easy win over Dunedin in the evening by nine goals to one. In both games G. Barrett (captain) and left wing was outstanding for his stickwork, and the Hutt Valley team seemed to combine better than its opponents. Manawatu, which beat Canterbury, also won its other match, against Paraparaumu, by five goals to three. Canterbury improved in the match against Hamilton and with sound defence by B. Offord, fullback, and good combination in the forwards, won comfortably. 7-1. W. Brittain and W. Wray were impressive in the forwards with their positional play and combination.

With only five players on each side and a minimum of stoppages in the play, the roller hockey was very fast and spectacular. Eighteen teams from centres throughout New Zealand are competing in the events, which will also be held today and on Monday.

Eight teams will compete in the marching on skates event for the first time today. This innovation to roller skating will be judged by officials of the Christchurch centre of the New Zealand Marching Association. Results were:—

Men’s A Grade.— Manawatu 3, Canterbury 2; Hutt Valley 3, Christchurch 1; West Coast 5, Dunedin 1; Hamilton 5, Paraparaumu 2; Manawatu 5, Christchurch 1; Canterbury 13, West Coast 4; Hamilton 5, Dunedin 2; Manawatu 5, Paraparaumu 3; Hutt Valley 9, Dunedin 1; Canterbury 1 Hamilton 1. Men’s B Grade.—Paraparaumu 5, West Coast 3; Otago 6, Manawatu 0; Manawatu 4, West Coast 2; Hutt Valley 4. Otago 4; Paraparaumu 4, Canterbury 3; Hutt Valley 6, Canterbury 6. Women.—Hutt Valley beat West Coast by default; Hamilton 4, Canterbury 0.