NELSON BEATEN

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31144, 22 August 1966, Page 8

NELSON BEATEN

Quatre Bras Cup Final

Ashburton’s hockey representatives beat Nelson by a hit over the goal line after 21 minutes of extra time to win the 1966 Quatre Bras Cup final in Christchurch on Saturday.

The poor ground conditions at Barrington Park exposed the lack of skill of both teams. Inaccurate and poorly conceived passes reduced proceedings to a prolonged mid-field scramble which lacked any direction because neither side attempted to follow a discernible strategy. For Ashburton, P. Doak made a conscientious attempt to feed the right flank from right back, and his partner, A. Keenan, tackled vigorously. T. Fleet, at right half, passed with some success, but faulty footwork hindered his ball control. The centre half, R. Hortin, covered well. The Ashburton attack was based on the enthusiastic, but seldom successful, group pursuit of so-called through passes. G. Prouting moved swiftly on the right wing, L. Keenan toiled hard at inside right, and A. Wilson passed right with some success from inside left. Nelson was fortunate that Ashburton was unable to exploit the tendency of its fullbacks to stand square. D. Blincoe covered well and passed intelligently from right half. Unfortunately, the meanderings of G. Johnson often left Nelson without a centre half. The Nelson vanguard often attempted too much in too

short a time, and it lacked cohesion. Only J. Cahill at inside left showed any tactical appreciation on attack. R. Hortin and D. Honey scored for Ashburton, and A. Povis and P. Strawbridge scored for Nelson. L. Keenan made the deciding hit over the goal line. Umpires: Messrs E. Ambler and E. Thomas.