Canterbury Sides Are Unbeaten In Hockey

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30234, 12 September 1963, Page 8

Canterbury Sides Are Unbeaten In Hockey

Canterbury’s two teams remained unbeaten after five matches when the second and third rounds of the New" Zealand Shield hockey tournament were played at the Polo Grounds yesterday.

The A side scored another big victory, and has compiled 17 goals in its two matches. Of these, the centre-forward, K. Thomson, has netted 10.

The B side also continued its successful way, winning one and drawing one yesterday. The only surprise was Wellington’s defeat by Whangarei. In the morning the thick grass again hampered the movements of players, but conditions improved as a result of the cutting of the grass before the afternoon matches. Results were:— SECTION A: Ashburton 3, Hawke’s Bay 2. Whangarei 1, Wellington 0. Canterbury 7, Ashburton 0. Whangarei 6, Hawke’s Bay 2. SECTION B: Canterbury B 2, Wanganui 2. Auckland 6, Otago 1. Wairarapa 4, Wanganui 1. Canterbury B 3, Otago 1.

The points in each section, on the basis of two for a win and one for a draw, are:

Section A.— Canterbury 4, Whangarei 4, Ashburton 2, Wellington 2, Hawke's Bay 0. Section B.— Canterbury B 5, Auckland 4, Wairarapa 2, Wanganui 1, Otago 0.

AUCKLAND V. OTAGO In the most important fixture of the second and third rounds the collapse of the Otago halfline presented Auckland with an unexpectedly easy win. The Auckland halves and forwards were quicker to the ball, and their swift tackling proved highly effective against opponents Whose stickwork was not sufficiently developed to cope with them.

Some useful dribbling by the Auckland forwards harried the Otago defence, and D. David, on the right-wing, was especially prominent. His speed and control repeatedly gained ground, and he proved a potent spearhead to a determined attack. He was well supported by R. Twigden who played a most useful game on the leftwing. and by M. Walian, at inside-left, whose trapping and control were good, but whose passing was rather erratic. The best of the halves was G. Atwell on the left. His positional play was sound and he displayed some neat stickwork. B. Wliinerary again proved solid in the Auckland defence.

There were occasions when G. D. MacGregor, at inside-right for Otago, received the ball with an opportunity for selfexpression, and his subsequent movements bore a touch of class which his colleagues and most others in the tournament have not been able to emulate. More use should have been made of him.

Goals for Auckland were scored by R. Twigden (2), J. Anslow, D. David, M. Walian and N. Hayde. B. Turner scored for Otago. WHANGAREI v. WELLINGTON The result of this match was a surprise, but Wellington's complete lack of plan, pattern dr strategy suggested such a fate as the game progressed. The proceedings were very scrappy, neither forward line appearing to have much chance of I making headway against spoiling defences. The architect of Whangarei's victory was undoubtedly its centre-half. R. Price, who directed his team in the manner of a general supervising his army from a martial tent, from which he occasionally emerged. Whangarei's goal was scored by M. Bint.

CANTERBURY V. ASHBURTON This match resolved itself into a struggle between the Canterbury forwards and halves and the Ashburton defence, whose courage was not matched by

skill or theoretical appreciation. The Canterbury attack was ably led by K. Thomson, whose dribbling and delicate passing were outstanding, and he was well supported by B. Judge, N. Hobson and P. Clark. The Canterbury goals were scored by K Thomson (4), P. Clark, T. Thomas and N. Hobson. ASHBURTON V. HAWKE’S BAY • A torrid encounter, marred by many stoppages for injuries was deservedly won by Ashburton because it enjoyed a territorial advantage, with neither side producing much in the way of tlie basic skills. B. Wilson, at centre-half was always prominent for Ashburton, and K. Rigby showed useful stickwork at inside-left for Hawke's Bay. Goals for Ashburton were scored by L. Keenan (2) and B. Wilson. P. Keiland and D. Hilton scored for Hawke’s Bay. WHANGAREI v. HAWKE'S BAY Whangarei had no difficulty in disposing of Hawke's Bay, proving much faster to and with the ball, and displaying some tactical approach which was not discernible in its opponents. The attack was ably led by B. Maunsell, M. Bint and J. Hicks. Goals were scored for Whangarei by E. Salmon (2), M. Bint (2), B. Maunsell and J. Hicks. N. Thomson and C. Nicol scored for Hawke’s Bay. CANTERBURY v. WANGANUI The spoiling, lively play of Wanganui was sufficient to counter Canterbury’s attempts at a more constructive approach. Lack of stickwork by both teams was a greater handicap than the heavy ground, but the foraging of R. Best was always a useful asset to Canterbury. The Canterbury goals were scored by R. Best and B. Monk, and B. Morgan and R. Morgan scored for Wanganui. CANTERBURY B V. OTAGO There was improvement in the play of Canterbury in this match, and its greater maturity and ruggedness were the decisive factors In a fairly close game. Prominent for Canterbury were D. Shepherd, at centre-half. J. W. Klddey, at inside-left, and R. Best, at Centre-forward, but in the Otago ranks there was an evenness of mediocrity. Goals were scored for Canterbury B by J. Klddey, G. Baldwin and R. Best, and B. Turner scored for Otago. WAIRARAPA V. WANGANUI Although there was much that was robust in the play of Wanganui, its opponents possessed a shade more skill and therefore translated a marked territorial advantage into a decisive winning margin. For Wairarapa W. Thompson showed much thrust in scoring three goals, and W. Percy scored the fourth. Wanganui's goal was scored by W. Brasting.