“Style Of Play Needs Change”

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31649, 8 April 1968, Page 8

“Style Of Play Needs Change”

“Our style of hockey will have to be altered somewhat to conform with overseas standards,” said the manager of the New Zealand team at last year’s London invitation tournament (Mr T. Timpany, of Wanganui) at the New Zealand Hockey Association’s sixtysixth annual meeting on Saturday.

“Our defence was first-class | but our attacking play will need to show more penetration,’’ said Mr Timpany in his verbal report. He has been prevented from completing his written report of the tournament, but this will be forwarded on when finished.

“We have the ability in our hockey to control the ball, but we must be more positive in attack. In one or two matches great opportunities were missed because our boys were too slow to take advantage of them.

“This New Zealand team had something we have not had for a long time. The team spirit was excellent, and it

only needs little additions to the forward line to further lift the performances of the present players. “The fast-breaking game favoured by the winner of the tournament, West Germany, seems to be taking over from the less direct methods of the Indians and Pakistanis. Today you have got to get through quickly to score goals. “The umpires let the play flow to a much greater degree than is the case here,” said Mr Timpany. “Our players were often waiting for the penalty hit which did not come. However, they . were consistent to both teams. We all got away wtih a