Twelfth hockey title in sight

Press, 9 April 1977, Page 20

Twelfth hockey title in sight

(By

KEVIN TUTTY)

The number of successive senior hockey championships won by University is likely to grow to 12 when the 1977 title is decided in five months. University lost one game last year, early in the season, but went on to an easy win in the preliminary championship, and later the grand final. This year the team will be virtually the same, but slightly stronger with the return from overseas of Neil Coster, a Canterbury representative and New Zealand trialist before he left two years ago.

Chris Maister, because of a recent operation, will not be available for the first few weeks, but on his return the side will be at full strength and it is doubtful if any team will have the experience to topple the maroons. On paper four teams — Selwyn-Hillmorton, Linwood United, Redcliffs and Harewood-Burnside —

appear to have the players to match University’s skill. The others will find it difficult to foot it with the top team. The sponsorship of the senior competition has

been withdrawn after four seasons, but there is still monetary incentive for clubs from the Philips national club knock-out contest.

As has been the case for the last few years, there will be nine teams in the senior competition, but judging from the purges some clubs have had, and on last season’s standard, seven or six teams would provide a standard befitting a senior grade. Several clubs will have very young sides this year. Selwyn-Hillmorton’s average age will be about 20, but another club has been forced to choose youngsters, many fresh from school, because the older senior players do not want to do the training required by the senior coach.

Selwyn has had three changes in its side from last year. Patrick Hayde, a forward, is out with a shoulder injury, and Khana, a full-back of considerable ability has been transferred to Palmerston North. Stan Harvey, the colourful Selwyn goalkeeper, has decided to drop to senior reserve to allow a younger player, Wayne Peat, to further himself.

Roydon Agent, a member of the Canterbury side last year, has transferred from Woolston Working Men’s Club and will play on the right-wing. With Doug Williamson, Mark Burtt. George Camoustos and David Clements, Selwyn will have a thrustful forward line.

Craig Burtt will move from the halves to full-back with Yogi Velluppallai, and Tony Jury will lead the half line with Rob McGregor and Robin Wilson.

Linwood United has been strengthened by the return of a former Canterbury player, Darryl Small,

and the acquisition of the talented Wellington leftwing, Tim Trevena-Brown. With Balvant Bhana, an elusive inside-forward. Linwood should have a greater goal scoring ability in its forward line. Greg Barrett, promoted from the senior reserve team, will play at fullback, and a New Zealand Universities goal-keeper from Otago, Terry Kennedy, are new players. High School Old Boys have suffered two serious losses. Dave Stuthridge, the Canterbury goalkeeper has transferred to Timaru and Jonathan Smith, an inside forward, is in Australia. Graham Revell has transferred to University. Graham Sligo will take Stuthridge’s place. He has transferred from Pegasus. Two young forwards in their first season out of school, Gavin Cumberpatch and Mark Rusbridge, have been given a chance to show their ability, and the defence will be consolidated by the return of Maurice Kidd to left-half. Faces in the Redcliffs team have changed little. Tony Ineson will coach and captain the team again and its only new player is Jeff Bailey, who has transferred from Pegasus.

After being out last year through injury Tony Burgess will again play at full-back. With lan Jackson, Brendan Beaumont and Lee and Richard Munt, Redcliffs will have a fast, skilful attack. Harewood-Burnside has only one new player. Greg Rhodes, formerly of Woolston W.M.C., but who played last year in Sydney, has been trusted with the responsible left-half position.

In an endeavour to add drive to the attack. Alan Hill will plav at insideright and Athol Forrest at

centre forward — the reverse of their positions last season.

Pegasus (formerly Hagley Old Boys) will be hard placed to make the top six for the main championship, later in the season.

Woolston W.M.C. has lost virtually its whole team from last year, and this season and probably the next two or three, will be rebuilding years for the once strong club. Barry Aldridge has not recovered fully from a broken ankle, while most of the other players have dropped down to senior reserve or transferred. Garv Jones is the only remaining member of last season’s team. Youths in

their first year out of school fill most positions. Sydenham . Cashmere, after several years in the doldrums, showed improvement last year. It has basically the same side this season so further improvement can be expected. Marty Fitzsimmons, who could become understudy to Rodger McHarg as the Canterbury goal-keeper. Bevan Hall, Steven and Ross Ambler and Alan McNeil will form the base of the side.

But University with its five Olympic gold medallists — Paul Ackerley, Thur Borren, John Christensen and Selwyn and Barrv Maister — and two former New Zealand players — McHarg and Chris Maister — will be very hard to lower.