Short odds on University

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33514, 20 April 1974, Page 4

Short odds on University

(By I

K. R. TUTTY)

When the senior men’s hockey competition begins today, the question on supporters’ lips will be whether University can win its eighth consecutive championship.

Guided by its eager coach, Mr C. V. Walter, University’s chance of repeating its previous suc-

cesses are high. It would be a game person to give odds against them taking the title.

Last year's successful team has no changes. But it has an addition — another member of the amazing Borren family. Frank Borren, who played senior in Wellington last year, will probably languish in the reserves while his brothers, Thur and Tone will form part of the powerful senior forward line.

S. G. Maister will captain the side and the other internationals in the team. J. H. Christensen, B. J. Maister, R. L. McHarg and P. D. Ackerley, give it the basic strength that makes such a powerful combination.

Hagley Old Boys, runnerup to University, last year, has lost one of its most valuable players, R. J. Best. The former international, W. B. Wright, and an elusive forward, 1. Jackson, have also left Christchut.ch, and P. Cox will not be available for the defence until the end of May.

l. Hargreaves, aged 19. a Nelson representative, and R. Wilson, who played

for Hagley two years ago, join the squad, the veterans P. F. Clark, W. A, Thomson and K. Thomson, will provide the steadying influence on the other, mainly young, team members.

R. Ebert and L. Munt, the High School Old Boys wing forwards last year, are not available and will be hard to replace. S. Parry, a robust full-back, is out through injury but an acquisition is J. Gibson, centre-half for the strong Christchurch Boys’ High School team last year.

D. Stuthridge. a former Canterbury goal-keeper has been replaced by G. Templeton who played in the B team last year. G. Marshall, M. Kidd, E. Barnes, A. J. Patterson and R. Bailey all retain their places. Linwood Old Boys, a young team, should continue the vast improvement it has made over the last two seasons. It has lost B. Trethewey, but has gained; H. Dullabh, a Wellington; representative and an energetic forward, and Balvant Bhana. captain of the New Zealand secondary schools’ team last season. He is a brother of P. Bhana and cousin of Bhiku Bhana. both halves in the side. D. Small and Dullabh will lead the forwards and provide more scoring potential. The defence will remain basically the same, although a former Wellington senior player, B. Dunning, may take I. Ghanda’s; place in goal.

A. Chesney, the New Zealand representative, will hold the key to HarewoodBurnside's success at centre-half. The team is the same, as last year, with the exception of the centre-for-ward L. Brown, who has left Christchurch. His place has been taken by S. Cox, a member of the Papanui High School first XI last year.

Redcliffs made good progress in its first year in

the senior grade last season and has gained Munt from High School Old Boys, and two promising younger

players, R. Munt and C. Prutton. P. Christensen is in Nelson, and the team will be coached.by its captain, A. Ineson.

P. Dowson, the coach last year, has been dropped, and having such a young captain-coach may affect the team’s performances this season. It is di-i fficult for a person in this.' position to give his best in the three categories. Selwvn-Hillmorten have, gained ’ a Waikato player from last season, A. Kana, and three schoolboys, A. Hayde, J. Pepper, M. McK. Burtt, S. Harvey, and Y. Velluppillai give solidarity to a team that is in the process of rebuilding. Woolston Workingmen's: Club will be without its; enthusiastic forward, B. .1. Aldridge, who will leave’ later in the season with the! National Band for its overseas tour. Several new! faces appear in the team,: including I. Galletly and R.' Agent from the defunct; Eastern Suburbs club. There are several other' young players pressing | claims for the senior side, and the coach, Mr J. R.| Gillespie, says he has a squad of 15 to choose ; from.

The only changes to the Sydenham-Cashmere team are in its forward line. S.| Ambler, a Canterbury secondary schools representative. and Ray Lawry, enter i the forwards. The defence will be built around the; New Zealand colt, M. Fit-; zsimmons (in goal), A. Tiz-i zard and R. Anderson.