Hockey win boosts N.Z. side’s morale

Press, 15 September 1977, Page 28

Hockey win boosts N.Z. side’s morale

PA Wanganui Overcoming atrocious conditions and a tenacious opposition, New Zealand yesterday chalked up a mor-ale-boosting 4-0 men’s hockey victory over a New Zealand Invitation XI at Wanganui.

Still swallowing the bitter pill of a 1-2 defeat by Australia in Auckland last Saturday, New Zealand buckled down to its task on a sodden pitch to score convincingly. It was the second loss in successive days for the Invitation XI, having been beaten, 0-3, by Australia at Palmerston North on Tuesday. But Australia had a hard, flat pitch on which to work. New Zealand, by contrast, had to contend with rain throughout the first half and a water-logged ground.

The Invitation XI did not bow lightly to Australia and put the same dogged determination in its play again yesterday, making New Zealand fight for every metre of territory. But New Zealand virtually skimmed over the many puddles to score inside the

first 90s and, from this point on, it was never seriously in danger of defeat.

Nevertheless, the white-1 clad Invitation XI was never' completely subdued. It enjoyed its greatest moments early in the second half.

Down, 0-2, at half-time, the team, virtually the rest of New Zealand, tested the national side to extreme defensive limits throughout an exciting first lOmin of the second half.

But the spell broke quickly. New Zealand scored from its first foray into opposition territory lOmin into the second half and, from then on. held its command. Auckland’s Maurice Marquet had a bad day in goal for the Invitation XI. He did not look at al! comfortable after allowing Arthur Parkin to score after just l|min. He later allowed Barry Maister (twice) and Ramesh Patel in for telling goals. At the other end of the field, Wanganui’s Les Wilson, in goal for the national side, could well have done ' enough to replace Canterbury's Roger McHarg for the

second test against Australii in Christchurch on Saturday: He saved several thundvt bolt shots and only once dil the ball pass him. He ap peared to be unsighted in : goal-mouth melee. A gentli push-shot actually went pad him but the ball slowed it the mud and he had time ti turn and recover. Over all. New Zealani looked the more polishes side and won praise for io efforts to mount attacks ii patterned fashion in spite oi the pitch difficulties. The New Zealand left full back, Tony Ineson, shone u his feats in breaking up op position attacks, while Keitl Gorringe, in his first gamt in national colours, Selwyn Maister, Thur Borren. Alai Mclntyre, and Jeff Archibait also took the eve.

The most impressive ol the Invitation side were th» left full-back, Phil Benefield now nearing New Zealani selection, Mohan Patel, Rost McLeod, and the attacker] Peter McSkimmin and Chril Maister.

For New Zealand, Barn Maister (two), Arthur Parkip . and Ramesh Patel score! J goals.