TRIAL TEAMS MEET

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30171, 1 July 1963, Page 7

TRIAL TEAMS MEET

Disappointing Play Whatever the Canterbury women’s hockey selectors hoped to accomplish with the trial they held on Saturday, they must have been disappointed. Play was slow, no-one attempting to tire herself before some important competition matches in the afternoon. The selectors — discontinued the trial after two fairly short spells giving as their reasons that (1) it was too cold, (2) the players were not benefitting themselves, and (3) the players were not benefiting the selectors. The teams were:— Red Team.—B. Makinson; J. Murray, L. Drummond: A. Ruston, L. Watson. J. Witte; P. Anderson. J. Davies. G. Phillips, H. Walker. E. White.

Other team: B Strong; D Geddes. J. McNaughton: J. Paget, S. Riches. A. Rouse; D Eddy, M. O’Brien, J. Rogers, C. Herrett, J. Gunn. In the second spell. Drummond went to inside left in the Other team and Gunn to Drummond's position in the Red team; Herrett went to White's wing in the Red team and White to the left-wing in the Other team; Phillips and Davies interchanged; and Y. Turner replaced McNaughton. The play, in common with most trials, was very scrappy. Neither goalkeeper particularly Makinson—had much to do. although each conceded one goal. Murray and Drummond again showed conclusively that they were several classes ahead of the other full-backs in the trials. Turner is showing some improvement, except in trapping, but it is a pity that Anderson was not given a game somewhere in the defence, as she is an infinitely better defensive player than a rightwing.

If Canterbury has any weaknesses, it is not in the winghalf positions. Ruston and Witte were supported by the better backs and forwards, and this enabled them to show their class to the best advantage, but Paget and Rouse were having to devote all of their time to scurrying back on defence or trying to provide their forwards with some thrust.

However. tile centre-half position seems a little uncertain still. Riches either lacks speed or is not completely fit. and Watson wanders too far out of position. Nothing was seen of Rogers at centre-half, who was playing out of position. It is a pity that J. Paget was not given an extensive trial at centre-half. The forwards were a mixed bunch. The desperate need—as it has been for several seasons—is a left-wing, and the best solution may be to play H. Walker there. Davies and Phillips both showed up to advantage, and O’Brien, receiving less support, tried hard. It is hard to understand why Eddy was not given a chance outside two of the probable inside forwards. Davies and Phillips. She received only limited chances in the Other team, but made splendid use of them, her goal from the acutest possible angle being almost the only Highlight of the trial