Defeat Ends Province’s Hold On Hockey Shield

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30235, 13 September 1963, Page 6

Defeat Ends Province’s Hold On Hockey Shield

The major upset of the inter-provincial tournament for the New Zealand Challenge Shield was the defeat of Canterbury by Whangarei in the fourth round of matches yesterday. Since 1955 Canterbury has played 50 first-class matches, productive of 40 wins, nine drawn games and a loss in 1958 to Pakistan. The defeat cost Canterbury the shield, for Whangarei won its section and therefore qualified for the final.

Auckland experienced great difficulty in gaining a draw with Canterbury B, which came through the B Section undefeated, but Auckland moved into the final with three wins and one draw. Results were:— SECTION A Whangarei S, Canterbury 0. z Wellington 5, Hawke’s Bay 1. Whangarei 3, Ashburton 0. Canterbury 2, Wellington 1. SECTION B Auckland 5, Wairarapa 1. Wanganui 6, Otago 1. Otago 3, Wairarapa 2. Auckland 1, Canterbury B 1. Points are:—Section A: Whangarei 8, Canterbury 6, Wellington 4, Ashburton 2, Hawke’s Bay 0. Section B: Auckland 7, Canterbury B 6, Wanganui 3, Otago 2, Wairarapa 2. WHANGAREI V. CANTERBURY Although maintaining a substantial territorial advantage, Canterbury made such an appalling sequence of errors that defeat was almost self-inflicted. The passing was atrocious and seldom has any team enjoyed such a liberal supply of the ball from Its opponents as did Whangarei. Canterbury's trapping was uncertain and its halves persisted tn attempting to elude opponents with stickwork insufficiently developed for the purpose. Its penalty comers were so tortuous and complicated that they often resulted in no shot at goal, and it literally threw the match away against a team of fit, keen bustlers who zealously stacked their defence and attacked so spasmodically that they made only four shots at goal from which they scored twice. Canterbury was extremely weak on its left side, and the circumstances of thia match exposed that weakness ruthlessly. For Whangarei, T. Carter, at left-half, arrived opportunely on many occasions, and R. Price, in the centre, was as wide a

bar to progress as the Great Wall of China, In his second triumph of the tournament. The back-tackling and drive of the inside forwards, M. Bint and A. Rapson. were of inestimable value. The two Whangarei goals were scored by A Rapson. AUCKLAND v. CANTERBURY B Auckland’s form in this match was no more Impressive than that of Canterbury in the morning. The play was very scrappy but full of dubious action as both teams exhibited a frantic approach in their effort to overcome spoiling defences and grounds which appeared to be too fast for their stickwork. Auckland's equalising goal appeared to be shot from outside the circle, and there was a subsequent appeal to the tournament judiciary committee concerning it. The committee upheld the validity of the umpire's decision. Play was even territorially and goal scoring was virtually reduced to the processes of opportunism. The most prominent players for Auckland were M. -Wallan at inside-left. J. Ansiow, at right-half, and B. Whineray at right-back; and for Canterbury B, R. Harris, In goal, D. Shepherd, at centrehalf. and J. Kiddy, at insideleft. N. Hayde scored for Auckland and K. Kiernan for Canterbury B. CANTERBURY V. WELLINGTON For two provinces with such traditions this was a most disappointing match, and although Canterbury won there were certain phases of the play in which Wellington was superior, notably in the short passing amongst the Inside forwards, and with the trapping. Canterbury won through lack of maturity in the Wellington defence, and the failure of Wellington’s left flank to take advantage of the openings made by its right flank. By cutting infield B. Judge, on Canterbury’s right-wing corrected his error of the earlier round, and K. Thomson was a constant threat in the centre, harrying the defence and dribbling splendidly. For Wellington R. Lapworth showed better form, and D. Paget and B. Willis moved with some skill on the right flank, receiving very considerable support from R. Weetman in the centre. Canterbury’s goals were scored by B. Judge and K. Thomson, and R. Weetman scored for Wellington. WHANGAREI V. ASHBURTON Fresh from its triumph against Canterbury, Whangarei did enough in a quiet way to ensure an unbeaten record in its section. There was little that was constructive in the game, but Ashburton managed to provide useful opposition for most of the time. Goals for Whangarei were scored by

E. Salmon. J. Rapson and B. Matinsell. WELLINGTON ▼. HAWKE'S BAY Wellington’s supremacy was clearly marked because of better trapping, passing and stickwork, and more time in which to create its attack on the right, whence came the maximum penetration. D. Paget and B, Willis led the vanguard ably, and the stickwork and quick shooting of R. Weetman in the centre were a valuable ally. Goals for Wellington were scored by R. Weetman (3). P. Byers and G. Loveridge, and K. Rigby scored for Hawke's Bay. AUCKLAND V. WAIRARAPA Wairarapa was unable to dispute Auckland's supremacy after some early resistance, in a ’ match in which Auckland moved fluently at times and was always faster with the ball and Quicker in anticipating the irection of opposing passes. N. Hayde proved to be a useful leader at centre-forward for Auckland, and J. Palmer was prominent at centre-half. Goals for Auckland were scored by N. Hayde (3). M. Wallan and J. Palmer, and K. Percy scored for Wairarapa. WANGANUI v. OTAGO Although the decisive result was unexpected, Otago’s poor form ensured both its fate and the margin of its humiliation. Otago seemed so obsessed with stickwork that the art of passing slipped into oblivion. Goals for Wanganui were scored by J. Adams (4), E. Kendall and R Morgan, and R. Bailey scored for Otago. OTAGO v. WAIRARAPA Otago at last hit the front and established a lead of three goals which proved highly necessary for victory when frantic defence held Wairarapa at bay after the lead had been reduced to one. The most satisfactory feature of the play was the form of G. D. McGregor, at inside-left for Otago. He moved with speed and skill whenever opportunity offered, and was a serious threat in the circle. The Otago goals were scored by G. D. McGregor (2) and R. Bailey, and K. Percy scored two for Wairarapa.

Under-14 Team Picked The Canterbury under-14 hockey team to play the winning Canterbury Hatch Cup team at Williamson Park on Saturday is:— P. Wayman (New Brighton), R. Campbell, I. Jackson, K. S. Spurway, C. Godfrey (Woolston). B. Sutherland. M. Kidd, M. Thompson, T. Wall, A. Britain (Boys' High School), S. Fiddes, P. Russell (Sydenham), D. Barr (Redcliffs).