Surprises In A And B Teams

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30191, 24 July 1963, Page 11

Surprises In A And B Teams

(By Our Women’s Hockey Correspondent]

The Canterbury women's hockey selectors have caused some surprises in the announcement of the A and B teams to play Ashburton and South Canterbury respectively on Saturday. The teams are:—

A: B. Makinson; J. Murray, P. Anderson; A Ruston, L. Watson. J. Witte; J. Hayes. M. Cunningham, H. Walker. J. Davies. L. Kearns.

B: B. Strong; J. Gunn. Y Turner; S. Riches, N. Powell, A. Rouse; D. Eddy, M. O’Brien. G. Phillips, K. McKerrow, C. Herrett

The emergencies for berth teams are L. Drummond, J. Rogers and M. Healey. Three players who were not in the original trial lists are

included—Hayes, Powell and McKerrow. Yesterday, one of the selectors said that these matches were still in effect, trials tor the K Cup team to travel to Auckland in late August. If that is so it is difficult to understand why Hayes has been brought in as she was not available for the trip. There are four changes in the A team from that which played against Malvern on Saturday. Murray, who was an emergency, replaces Gunn at right-back, while Anderson, who was the right-wing, takes Drummond’s place at left-back. Drummond is fairly well assured of a place in the team so the object of this move is probably to see how Anderson would fit in as a utility player. The halves remain intact but the club combination of Hayes and Cunningham is to be tried on the right wing. If the selectors were looking for an effee-

tive combination the B team pair, Eddy and O’Brien, might be the answer. Eddy thrived on O’Brien's good service and was the outstanding forward in the Malvern games. In spite of her failure in that position on Saturday. Walker is again to be played at centreforward and it is quite likely that a change between her and Davies will have to be made during the game—unless it is done earlier.

Phillips is unlucky to be dropped to the B team as she was the most penetrative forward in the A team. However, her inclusion at centre-forward will improve the B team forward line. She will be well supported by McKerrow the most consistent inside-forward in the

At first glance, it is evident that the A team has a stronger defence while the B team has the better forward line.