CHALLENGE SHIELD HOCKEY Auckland First To Reach Semi-Finals

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31775, 4 September 1968, Page 17

CHALLENGE SHIELD HOCKEY Auckland First To Reach Semi-Finals

(New Zealand Press Association) WANGANUI. Still riding on the crest of a wave after its thrilling lastminute success against Whangarei on the first day, Auckland yesterday beat Otago, 2-1, to become the first major division team to qualify for post-section play in the national men’s hockey tournament.

Auckland is the only team in the top sections to win both of its matches so far in its quest for the Challenge Shield it last held in 1965.

Whangarei defeated Hawke’s Bay, 2-0, and all three remaining teams in Pool B still have a chance of joining Auckland. However, the odds favour Whangarei, which needs probably only a draw against Otago today to reach the semi-finals on goal average. Wellington Out Pool A of the Challenge Shield series is far from clear-cut, only Wellington, which has lost its two games, being out of the running. By virtue of their 1-1 draw yesterday, Wanganui and Canterbury share the lead in Pool A. Waikato, the Rothmans Cup winner last year

and a 2-0 victor over Wellington yesterday, is offering a strong challenge. Wairarapa and Manawatu have already ensured themselves places in the semifinals of the Rothmans Cup after recording their second successive victories yesterday. The surprise team in the minor division is Wanganui B, which yesterday beat Marlborough, 4-2, and is virtually assured of being among the four qualifiers. NARROW ESCAPE Auckland had a narrow escape from being held to a draw by Otago. With only five minutes remaining, the score was 1-1, and a penalty stroke

by the Auckland captain, I. Free, appeared to clinch the match.

Otago, however, had a lastminute chance to equalise, but R. Maxwell’s low penalty stroke was stopped by the Auckland goal-keeper, G. Dis sen.

Play was even throughout, Otago deserving a better fate. Whangarei was flattered by its 2-0 victory over a hardworking Hawke’s Bay side, which only lacked finish in front of the goal. Whangarei led 1-0 at halftime and clinched the match 10 minutes from the end with a penalty stroke by the Olympic Games trialist, N. Ross. Results: CHALLENGE SHIELD Pool A.—Second round: Wanganui 1 (R. Morgan), Canterbury 1 (R. Best); Waikato 2 (B. Martin 2), Wellington 0. Points.—Wanganui and Canterbury 3, Waikato 2, Wellington 0. Pool B. —Second round: Whangarei 2 (M. Bint, N. Ross), Hawke’s Bay 0; Auckland 2 (N. Hayde, I. Free), Otago 1 (R. Maxwell). Points. —Auckland 4, Whangarei 2, Hawke’s Bay and Otago ROTHMANS CUP Pool A.—Second round: Wairarapa 3 (P. Davidson 2, K. Percy), Southern Minors 2 (R. Keenan, G. Gudsell); West Coast 2 (B. Aynsley, G. Annear), Air Force 2 (N. Haise 2).

Points.—Wairarapa 4, Air Force 3, West Coast 1, Southern Minors 0.

Pool B Second round: Manawatu 1 (B. Shailer), Taranaki 0; Wanganui B 4 (C. Cathro 2, D. Atkinson, G. Campbell), Marlborough 2 (P. D. Kilmarton 2).

Points.— Manawatu 4, Wanganui B 3, Taranaki 1, Marlborough 0.