Water Polo Beckenham First To Beat University

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30916, 24 November 1965, Page 25

Water Polo Beckenham First To Beat University

In the closest and most exciting water-polo match this season, Beckenham A beat the previously unbeaten University side, 5-4. The second senior match was aliso in doubt until near the final whistle but Beckenham B managed to beat Christchurch, 7-5. Wharenui easily accounted for Fendalton, 5-1.

Players stood in silence as a mark of respect to the memory of H. Schout, who died soon after a match at the Centennial Pool Fast week.

In the game between University and Beckenham, 1. Gunthorp won the bal'l from the swim-off and soon after W. WiiIcamson scored briljiantly for the speedy University team. Fast breaks and quick passing alilowed Gunthorp to score, but Beckenham’s M. Scott narrowed the gap while A. McPhail was out of the water.

Gunthorp scored again, this time from the four-yard mark and, much to the surprise of the trig crowd, University led. 3-1, at half-time.

At this stage the students were dominating play but L. McIntosh netted for Beckenham not long after a long shot from McPhail just missed the goal When R Henry was sent out of the pool by the referee, D Stewart, McPhaiU scored.

In the fourth quarter the experienced Beckenham side took control of the game and M. Scott scored again following passing by his team-mates from one side of the pool to the other.

Mclntosh, playing tn "the hoie,” put another two goals past the Umiversity goalkeeper to decide the issue.

P. HatchweE (Christchurch) won the bail from the initial throw-off in the second match and quickly scored. Beckenham B’s captain, D. Biltesdon equalised but HatchweE put Christchurch in front again'.

B. Scott scored for Beckenham and, in spite of close marking by the defence on both sides, B, Turpin netted twice for Christchurch and F. McKenzie once for Beckenham.

This game was particularly clean but the referee ordered B. Scott from the water. Earlier in the evening both Scott brothers had been similarly penalised. On his return to the water after P. Jones had scored for Christchurch, Scott avoided the opposition and netted to make the three-quarter time score 5-4 to Christchurch.

In the Anal quarter BHlesdon scored twice from his specialist nosition in front of the goal and A. Tuyn once after a break up the centre of the pool.

Fast swimming characterised the Wharenui-Fendalton match with L. Wilson doing a sterling job for Wharenui in his pivot nosition in front of the Fendalton goalmouth. He scored three times and numerous other shots of his were well saved by the

promising young goalkeeper, G. Furlonger. Quick passing between the Wharenui forwards, P. Carpinter and M. McGirr, greatly assisted Wilson, although J. Parker scored twice from long shots. For Fendalton R. Pirie relied on his usual long powerful shots but only one went past the Canterbury goalkeeper, I Farquhar. Other results were: Senior Reserve.—Beckenham 5, University 1; Spreydon 6. Wharenui 4. Junior. Christchurch 6, Fendalton 0: W 7 harenui 2, Spreydon 2; Elmwood beat Beckenham by default. Canterbury Team For the return water polo match against Otago for the Miller trophy, the Canterbury selector (Mr P. MacFarlane) has chosen from his training squad what is possibly the strongest team available. The match is to be played on Saturday at the Centennial Pool at noon. The team is:—

A. McPhail, W. Williamson, I. Gunthorp, P. Hatchwell, I. Farquhar, B. Monk, I. Mclntosh, M. Scott and M. McGirr.

Mr MacFarlane intends to coach the full training squad until he selects the Canterbury team to play at the championships in February.