Water polo standard still high

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32860, 8 March 1972, Page 14

Water polo standard still high

(By

R. M. CAIRNS)

Even the disappointment of Canterbury failing to win outright either of the open or under 21 titles e.t the national water polo championships could not conceal the fact that the province enjoys a very high standing, still, in the country.

There were high hopes attached to Canterbury which, for a number of reasons, were not realised. But the improving standard of the sport in Canterbury definitely maintained its impetus and the immediate future looks assured when it is noted that Canterbury supplied five, the most of any team, in the under 21 tournament team.

The major reason for Canterbury failing to improve on its third (open) and first equal (under 21) placings was not difficult to find. Mr J. de Haan, New Zealand’s senior referee, criticised the standard of his appointees at the conclusion of the tournament

They would, he said, have to reach a much higher level in the future.

That is stating the position a little mildly. Where the refereeing at the junior tournament in Christchurch at the end .of January was of a quite high level, the greater pressures at the senior tournament exposed the frailties of the officials.

Canterbury had greatest cause for complaint. Mr de Haan was the only South Island referee at the tournament, and he would not officiate in any of Canterbury’s games, which was understandable.

But Canterbury, for the most part, found itself being handled by the Auckland senior players, A. Kocsis and A. G. Anderson, and in these games, Canterbury was the more harshly penalised. There was no question that all of this heavy-handed treatment was not justified, and the quality of the refereeing undoubtedly weighed heavily on the players and affected their performance. The other major reason for Canterbury slipping slightly was the pressure on some players to aim for several peaks. Three of them, B. M. Mustchin, D. J. Reid and P. R. Tweedie, were in the under 21 and open teams, as well as Beckenham-Sockburn, which was striving for the Ryan Cup. Worse. Mustchin and Reid were satiated with

water polo after the month’s intensive preparation for the Australia tests, and Tweedie looked jaded after the surf lifesaving championships.

This reduced their effectiveness markedly, although

all were chosen for the tournament under 21 team and Tweedie, a little surprisingly, for the open team as well. As far as the open team was concerned, the best feature was the return to his very best form of T. M. McGirr. who had the incentive, of course, to prove that he should have been in the national side. His breaking and positional play was of a very high order and his passing, poor for a start, was much better by the end of the tournament. There could be little doubt, though, that B. G. Spear, the goalie, was certainly the player of the

tournament. He saved a penalty in every game, which is a remarkable accomplishment, and even under pressure, there was a feeling of security about Canterbury with Spear behind it.

M. C. Scott, the retiring captain, played probably as well as ever he has and was a fine leader of his team, and a most capable coach of the under 21 players. R. J. Wilson had a most satisfactory first tournament, but R. Gunthorp probably shone most of the new players. A hard-work-ing, unselfish player, his one major problem was a laxness in passing. L. M. Scott was a solid marker but the form of I. H. Patchett was a little disappointing. He was heavily marked, which accounted for Canterbury not scoring as many goals as it might have expected from this

source, but his presence had the useful side-effect of opposition teams concentrating on Patchett and leaving other players with more latitude. That Canterbury is wellblessed with goalies was illustrated by the consistently outstanding form of M. H. F. Godinet for the under 21 team and also, in his few quarters, for the seniors. It was the younger members who attracted most attention, however. C. D. Robinson and M. A. Harding demonstrated how their blooding a year ago was of such value, and M. L. Lewis seems sure to be a third example next year.

He has what is possibly an inborn gift of drifting off his marker and making play for himself, and it was pleasing to see the other members of the party insist that the junior member, Lewis, should go forward to receive the Grocott Cup, for the inter-provincial swimming relay.