Hockey Protest Rejected

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31520, 7 November 1967, Page 18

Hockey Protest Rejected

The team captains and umpires involved in the New Zealand men’s hockey Challenge Shield tournament final between Canterbury and Whangarei, which was abandoned after 50 minutes of extra time without a decision being reached, will not be reprimanded by the national body in spite of a verbal protest from Auckland.

The captains, A. Patterson (Canterbury) and J. Hicks (Whangarei). had done the only thing possible in calling a halt to the marathon match, a meeting of the New

[Zealand Hockey Association agreed in Christchurch last 'evening. The meeting also upheld the decision of the association’s official representative at the tournament (Mr J. Abrams, of Christchurch) not to continue the match or replay it the next day. The tournament ended on the Friday and it would have been against the rules to re-play the match on Saturday, Mr Abrams said. Only one member of the national* executive criticised the (Outcome of the tournament—[Mr R- W. Appleby, chairman of the Auckland management committee. Dr L. M. Berry said that Auck land had not made its protest jin the manner laid down in the rules. “I feel quite strongly that the action taken was correct,” said the chairman (Mr R. S. Jenkins).

n It was then agreed that tn . ! future if a Challenge Shield ‘[final was not decided after 40 minutes it would be shared by jithe two teams concerned If the same situation arose in a semi-final, the team to go into 6 the final would be decided on the toss of a coin, t Shield Dates Although New Zealand's top a players may be absent because of Olympic Games commitments, the 1968 Rothmans tournament 1 will not be held earlier than j usual A previous decision to . hold it at Wanganui in the first week of September was con firmed. A letter from the Punjab as association seeking an invitation _I to tour New Zealand was held ” over. l i The Canadian Held Hockey t Association informed the execu ; live by letter that it hoped to .'send a team to New zeaiana iisoon. Bl An invitation was received ; from the British Colombia Fiem e Hockey Association for the New 1! Zealand team to play in < -anaaa - on its way to or from the I Olympic Games next year