Canty v. Auckland Hockey Semi-final

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31468, 7 September 1967, Page 13

Canty v. Auckland Hockey Semi-final

(New Zealand Press Association) WHANGAREI. Canterbury, the defending champion, was the only team to score three wins in section play of the New Zealand Challenge Shield hockey tournament being played at Whangarei.

Yesterday, the titleholder easily accounted for Wanganui, 5-0, to finish with six points. Canterbury’s opponent in one semi-final will be Auckland, which showed vast improvement on recent games to hold the impressive Whangarei side to a 0-0 draw. Whangarei, however, led Pool B on goal averages. In its three games it scored 13 goals and conceded none against Auckland’s 10 for and three against. Better Goal Average Three teams Wellington, Wanganui and Hawke’s Bay —all finished with two points in Pool A. Wellington, however, is the semi-finalist on goal average and will meet Whangarei. Hawke’s Bay, with two goals for and nine against, was third and Wanganui, one for and six against, was fourth. Most interest yesterday centred on the game between Whangarei and Auckland. Unimpressive in its two previous outings, Auckland struck form and staged a storming finish which almost brought it victory. With only minutes remaining the centre-half J. Anslow,

crashed in a head-high shot which looked a certain goal. But Whangarei’s keeper, R. McPherson, threw himself sideways and somehow deflected the ball on to the post Cleared Off Line B. Rogers collected the rebound and shot, but Whangarei’s left-back, R. Capey, raced in and pushed the ball off the line. Whangarei had the better of the first half but the second spell was Auckland’s and the score was a fair one. With all its men displaying superb trapping and passing, Canterbury was untroubled in beating Wanganui. The centre-half, K. Thomson,

scored three of the goals and the inside-left, J. Borren, added the others. Waikato drew with Southern Minors but still leads the Rothman’s Cup division with two wins and a draw from three games. Taranaki and Manawatu each has four points, Southern Minors three, and West Coast two. Marlborough has yet to register a win. Results: Challenge Shield.—Canterbury 5. Wanganui 0: Whangarei 0, Auckland 0; Hawke’s Bay 1, Wellington 1; Nelson 1, Otago 0. Rothman’s Cup.—West Coast 1, Marlborough 0: Waikato 1. Southern Minors 1; Taranaki 2, Manawatu 0.