REPORTS OF ROUGH HOCKEY DENIED

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31514, 31 October 1967, Page 18

REPORTS OF ROUGH HOCKEY DENIED

‘ There was no rough play to criticise," said the captain of the successful New Zealand men’s hockey team (Mr A. J. Patterson) when he arrived back last evening with the other Canterbury members of the team, K. and W. A. Thomson.

Patterson was asked to comment on reports from England that New Zealand’s tactics were “violent, crude and maiding.”

“They seem to allow bodily contact more," he said, “but this was only a different interpretation of the rules."

Patterson said he could not understand why the New Zealand team was singled out for criticism, but as the tournament progressed the attitude of the newspapers had changed, he said.

“They were even saying we were a good team at the end.” New Zealand came second equal with Germany in the pre-Olympic tournament. West Germany was the winner.

“it was a tremendous effort by the team and considering many were young players New Zealand has a good nucleus around which to build for the future,” he said. This country must now be considered for the Olympic Games next year, said Patterson. This was a different position from before the recent tour by Australia, when New Zealand’s chances were very slim. Although New Zealand was attacked for its defensive play, it was not really defensive, said Patterson. “We

were out to score goals all the time.”

The grounds that they played on were of a much higher standard than in New

Zealand, he said. Grounds here must be a lot better if players were to get fast flowing games and a smoothly rolling ball, Patterson said. K. Thomson, who will leave soon for the New Zealand cricket tour of Australia, said that he did not find much time for cricket practice as most of the indoor nets in London were fully booked. As a geography teacher. Thomson said he found the trip a revealing experience “You get a different concept of a place when you actually see it,” he said. Thomson, who scored the most goals for New Zealand (two) said all the opposing teams were faster but lacked skill.

“A lot of the play was very crude," he said.