Hockey win close

Press, 24 August 1976, Page 34

Hockey win close

From Kevin Tutty Nelson Canterbury could only scratch to a 2-0 win over Nelson in the Nation-1 Hockey Tournament at Nelson yesterday. Canterbury had plenty of chances. It held a hug; ter-

ritorial advantage and had chances from 20 penalty corners. , Trapping errors abounded in Canterbury’s play, although some of these were forced by an eager Nelson defence. ’ But Canterbury’s worst fault was its passing.

Probably half went astray, under or uver-it. And only twice could Canterbury find a gap past the Nelson goalkeeper, Steve Davies. Many if C .iterbury’s penalty corners were not hand-stopped cleanly. Those that were, were sent thumping to the goal by Gary Marshall. But each time Davies was there to block the shot.

Canterbury started well with Bob Best, Barry Maister and Balvant Bhana all making ground with fast elusive dribbling. After eight minutes Bhana scored. Roydon Agc ; on the right wing,

dived at a ball heading for the back line and whipped it across the goal to Bhana. Canterbury continued to press Nelson. The home side, encouraged by the small crowd, attacked sporadically. Bob Best scored Canterbury’s second goal. It was a superb effort. He burst into the circle, dummied a shot, drew the goal-keeper and then pushed the ball calmly into the goal. Nelson was swamped with attacks in the second half. But Davies, aided by good tackling by Potter and Graham Stricketr. doused many drives. In the last 15 minutes Canterbury was camped almost entirely inside the Nelson half but to no avail. Auckland, the holder of the Challenge Shield, easily won its first match against Otago 3 1. Auckland took the lead after 15 minutes. But 10 minutes later Brian Goldsbury (Otago) scored in secondary play from a corner. But Auckland’s Ramesh Patel scored a few minutes before half time. Bruce Nellor scored the third goal from a penalty stroke. Results:—

Challenge Shield Pool A: Auckland 3, Otago 1. Points: Auckland, Northland, Hawke’s Bay, Otago 2. Wanganui 0. Poo! B: Wellington 2, Manawatu 0. Points, Wellington 4, Canterbury, Manawatu 2, South Canterbury. Nelson 0. Rothmans Cup, Pool A: Ashburton I. Walrarapa 1. Tauranga 6. Taranaki 2. Points, Walrarapa, Tauranga 3. Ashburton 2, Taranaki 0.

Pool B: Hamilton 4, Hutt Vailev 2. Points, Hamilton 4, North Otago, Piako 2. Hutt Valiev 0. whenua 5. Nelson B 1. Points: Horowhenua 4, Marlborough, Poverty Bay 2, Nelson B. Rotorua 0.

Pool B: Army 3. Air Force 1. Points: Army, Air Force 2. Southland 0,