University eyes twelfth men’s hockey title

Press, 15 April 1978, Page 12

University eyes twelfth men’s hockey title

By

KEVIN TUTTY

For 11 years University has reigned supreme in the senior men’s hockey competition. When the 1978 season starts today it will be hunting its twelfth successive title to beat the record it holds jointly with the Selwvn club. But the prospect of that win does not look as rosy at it has at the start of each of the last 10 seasons. The inevitable decline in strength has started, and while University still looks the strongest team in the competition it could struggle against several of the better sides.

The University coach, Cyril Walter, realises his plight and has started to re-build the team, after the loss of two significant players from last year — the Olympian Thur Borren and Neil Coster. He has included two colts in the senior squad, Greg Pierce, who left Linwood High School last year, and Robert Workman, a Canterbury colt last season. With the Maister brothers. Barrv and Chris, John Christensen and Neil Edmundson in the forward line University still has a potent attack. In defence it has Selwvn Maister and Paul Ackerlev in the halves, Ewan Holstein as a back and Rodger McHarg in ’’oal. Phil Williams, the other back, is in doubt because of an injury.

Three teams. SelwvnHillmorton, Harewood and Redcliffs look the strongest sides behind Univer-

sity, but they will have to be more consistent than they were last season. Selwyn has a new coach, Jim Bowden. He replaces Tony Hayde, but it remains to be seen whether he can mould the ample talent the side possesses. Apart from Jeff Pepper, all members of the team are under 23. It has lost its goal-keeper, Wayne Peat, from last season, but gained Peter Bodekar from Pegasus. He played for Canterbury colts last season.

It has lost Yogi Velluppallai from the defence but is still relatively strong. Tony Jury will again be centre-half and Craig Burtt has been moved to right-half to give impetus to the right side attack.

George Carnoutsos and Mark Burtt will carry the brunt of the attack from inside-right and inside-left respectively. Doug Williamson is the centre-for-ward.

Peter Mcßae, Redcliffs’ dependable goal-keeper for the last three seasons, has moved to Wellington and there are two possibilities to replace him. The colourful veteran. Jon Monk, is prepared to play again, but a younger player. Kerry Wotten, kept well in a friendly game last week-end. .

Neil Coster, from University, will strengthen the defence. He will play at full-back, partnered by Kevin- Prutton. Peter

Christensen and Tony Ineson. will bear the burden of work- in the half-line, while the forwards remain unchanged from last season.

Towards the end of last season, Richard and Lee Munt, lan Jackson, Murray Spinks and Brendan Beaumont struck up a useful combination. If they continue it this season they will be a formidable attack. Last year Harewood finished seventh in the preliminary championship. It should have finished higher, but its forwards, could not score goals. Its defence was one of the best in the competition. Only three teams conceded fewer goals. Harewood again possesses a strong defence. Alan Chesney, Dick Pettit

and lan Steel form the core, and there is a newcomer, Andy Innes, at right-back.

The attack has the potential to be one of the strongest in the competition, particularly with the acquisition of Balvant Bhana from Linwood United.

Bhana will play at in-side-left and his Canterbury team-mate, Roydon Agent, who transferred to H ar e woo d half-way through last season, at in-side-right. Apart from Bruce McLean on the leftwing the other two forward places are open. Chesney has bracketed lan Riach. a Papanui High School pupil last year, with lan Hill at centre-for-v, ard, and Athol Forrest and Wayne Seebeck will share the right-wing position. High School Old Boys, always a steady team, has lost two vital players from its defence, Gary Marshall and Steve Parry. Geoff Gibson, Maurice Kidd and Rob Smith are the survivors. Doug Fitzgerald, a Canterbury colt is lost from the forward. line. Rob Ebert, Geoff Deakins, Gerald Ross and Graham Britain remain from last year’s line. Sydenham - Cashmere made the grand final last year because of an ability to capitalise on the slightest scoring chance. There is only one change in the side, so sound performances are expected again. Ross Ambler, Murray Peacock, Bevan Hall and

Marty Fitzsimmons make a strong defence. Alan Black and Steve Ambler form a good right side attack and at centre-forward this year is Mark Rusbridge, who has moved from Old Boys. Linwood has lost its goal-keeper. Terry Kennedy, and Balvant Bhana. Their loss has weakened the team a little but John Whitford. Bikhu and Parsot Bhana. Darryl Small, Graeme Williams and Roy Parry have ample experience to help the club through a lean patch. Woolston has had a host of changes from last year when it failed to win a game. Coached by Gordon Newton, the team has placed much emphasis on fitness and has had a physical fitness expert training it. Steven Cox, Gary Jones, Gary Copsey and Tom Brennan are the only survivors. The most interesting selection is that of Brennan at centre-forward. He has played most of his hockey as a full-back. Bill Thomson and Gordon Clarkson are missing from the Pegasus team. Thomson’s- employment prevents him playing regularlv.

Dave Kirwan. who plaved for South Canterbury last year, has joined the club and will strengthen the forward line which still contains Hugh Griffin. Bob Best and Ivan Thomson. With Paul Wayman, Rob Wilson. Darryl Neate. and Willie Griffin, the side will have an adequate defence.