Hockey match delayedno boots and sticks

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32678, 6 August 1971, Page 20

Hockey match delayed—no boots and sticks

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) PERTH. After being beaten for pace in the first half, the New Zealand hockey team overcame the effects of its long flight, scored twice after the interval, and beat Western Australia, 2-0.

The outstanding player of the match was New Zealand’s veteran international, A. Patterson, who gave a superb defensive display.. Although his place at lefthalf is not usually regarded as one of the game’s'key positions, the New Zealand captain was able, almost on his own, to set and control the pattern of play for the entire New Zealand, which was expected to arrive in Perth on Tuesday evening, found itself stranded, in Adelaide and did not arrive at Perth airport until after midday. The players were rushed by bus to the ground and changed quickly, then found that their boots and sticks had been left behind at the airport. The match eventually started 45 minutes late. New Zealand was slow to settle down in the first quarter, and the Western Australia players had it ail - their own way, constantly harrying the opposition defence. But although it forced several short comers, the state side could not break through to i clear-cut scoring position. In the second half, New Zealand’s lively forwards forced their way into the

circle. A shot from the right was saved but the ball rebounded to A. Corbett and the left-wing hit cleanly into an open goal. New Zealand increased its lead when the inside-left, J. Borren trapped the ball neatly in a crowded circle and scored at close range. The Western Australia forwards worked hard but the New Zealand defence, led by

Patterson and backed by the full-back, G. Dayman, and the centre-half, W. Wright, was too sound.

The New Zealand team is on its way to Singapore to compete in the South-East Asian regional tournament. On the form they showed against Western Australia, the New Zealanders should play a prominent part in Singapore.