Hockey N.Z. COLTS’ TOURNEY

Press, Volume C, Issue 29582, 3 August 1961, Page 17

Hockey N.Z. COLTS’ TOURNEY

Southern Zone Teams In the southern zone of the first New Zealand colts’ tournament, which began yesterday at the Polo Grounds, close results were registered in both games. Canterbury and the Maadi Cup Districts drew 2-all, and Wellington beat the lan Smith Shield Districts by two goals to one. Otago was a late withdrawal from the tournament, as it said that it could not field a team of sufficient standard. The playing surface was reasonable. although it had to be rolled.

The teams were welcomed by the president of the Canterbury Junior Hockey Association (Mr A. McCrorie) Matches will continue this afternoon and on Friday morning. The Southern zone selector. Mr J. Smith (Canterbury) will later announce two trial teams to play on Fridav afternoon from which he will select the side to play Canterbury on Saturday. On September 30 North Island colts will play South Island colts as a curtain-raiser to the inter-island match. Canterbury v. Maadi Cup Districts Although Canterbury drew 2-all, it had slightly the better of the plav with both sides missing several scoring nnnortunities through poor shooting. The Maadi Cup Districts played attacking hockev with its nippy forwards nrobing the Canterbury defence. In comparison. Canterbury played the right wing rather than the left, as was ♦he case with the Maadi Cun Districts. Canterbury relied on short passes—some of which were badly directed—and on retaining possession ns long as nossib'e Canterbury's stick work was snnerior to that of its opponent. Outstanding for the M»adl Cun Districts was the centrehalf. E. Ross, who .w-l a i good goal from the back of the circle. Tn the closing stages of the game Canterbury had a chance to score the winning goal, but D. Lloyd, who was wearing sandshoes, fell with only the goalkeeper to beat WeHlnrton ▼. lan Smith Shield Districts A goal from a penalty bully against the lan Smith Shield Districts’ goalkeeper eave Wellington a 2-1 win. In the first half the lan Smith Shield Districts dominated play and led at half-time by one goal to nil. Its forwards, well supported by the halves, had the Wellington defence bustled, and only first-class work by the Wellington goalkeeper prevented more goals In the second snell the Tan Smith Shield Districts lost combination and Wellington was clearly superior.