Two grand goalies

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31832, 9 November 1968, Page 13

Two grand goalies

rpHE excellent form shown by both the Wharenui goalkeeper, I. S. Farquhar, and the University goalkeeper, B. G. Spear, can give the Canterbury water polo selector (Mr E. Tuyn) the fullest confidence in his last line of defence for the representative season ahead. Farquhar, the Canterbury goalkeeper for the last two seasons and a member of the New Zealand team which played the Rest at the national championships in March, has been outstanding and the fact that only one goal has been scored against him in Wharenui’s

three matches is ample evidence of his reliability and determination.

Spear, a New Zealand Universities’ representative on the 1966 tour of Australia and against the touring Australian Universities’ side earlier this year, has also had few goals against him. However, he relies less on speed and reflexes, as does Farquhar, and more on covering the goal with his broad shoulders and long arms.

Both Spear and Farquhar are similar, though, in their quick passing to their backs and halves, allowing the speedy forwards in the respective teams to maintain breaks and get the ball at the appropriate time to score. In fact, it is the ability in counter-attack which has put University and Wharenui at the top of the senior competition.

Mr Tuyn has not yet named a representative squad but it would indeed be strange if the two players were not both included, as they must be among the top four goalkeepers in the country.'