Polo squad reduced

Press, 28 October 1977, Page 24

Polo squad reduced

Canterbury players dominate the reduced New Zealand women’s water polo squad announced yesterday. Nine players from Christchurch are in the squad of 22; all were members of the 36-strong original squad. The national coach (Bryan Mustchin) said a feature oi the squad, chosen after a series of training session, which followed the Wale Bank tournament in Welling ton, was that there were n< outstanding players.

“They are very even and perhaps surprisingly, there are few very young ones they are mostly matun players," said Mustchin.

Mustchin also commented that the strength of tin sport was no longer based

in Auckland, and the inclusion of 15 players from Wellington and Christchurch tends to bear this out.

However, one disturbing feature was the standard of goal-keeping, said Mustchin. “It is at a very low ebb and any proficient player who comes along will be quickly ■napped up.” The squad does not include four Canterbury players unavailable: Jackie and Vendy Anink. Lynette itringer and Lynn Rowe, vho will be holidaying in Xustralia before Christmas. Two other former intervationals not available are knne Jackson (Wellington) md Julie Whittaker (Bay of Jienty). The squad is:

E. Archer, C. Coulter, L. Clarke, J. Irwin, J. Sharpies,

J. Sunbeam, T. Grooby, J. Murdoch, G. K. Smeith (Canterbury), A. Carter, C. Hogan, L. Mazzoleni, K. Brady, B. van Woesink (Auckland), D. Scott, Y. Baart (Bay of Plenty), D. Williams, J. Barker, M. Barrell, R. Gibson, S. Griddle, C. Tuohy (Wellington). After the national club championship in Christchurch from January 12 to 15, the New Zealand side will play three “tests” against Queensland at Queen Elizabeth II Park, from January 16 to 18. It will then travel to Australia and play three “tests” against both Victoria and New South Wales. The national team will be chosen after the trials in Wellington from December 10 to 12.