Canterbury looks set for hockey semi-finals

Press, 29 August 1979, Page 38

Canterbury looks set for hockey semi-finals

From

KEVIN TUTTY

in Blenheim

The semi-finalists in the Challenge Shield section at the Newman’s national men’s hockey tournament are emerging after the third day yesterday. In each pool two teams have perfect records — Wellington and Northland in pool A and Canterbury and Wellington in pool B. Unless there is a major upset in the next two days these teams will play in the semi-finals on Friday, but in what order will depend on tomorrow’s matches when the unbeaten teams clash. There was one surprise result in the Challenge Shield section yesterday. Manawatu, after a hard match against Canterbury the previous day, succumbed to its neighbouring province, Wairarapa. Waifarapa won, 2-0, and

has left Manawatu with no points from its two games and in danger of having to battle to avoid relegation to the Rothman’s Cup section at next year’s tournament. Both Wairarapa’s goals were scored from penalty comers by Warwick Yeo. Manawatu had its share of corners but could not convert any, and its match with Otago tomorrow will be vital.

Manawatu will have to win to keep itself off the bottom of the pool, as it is unlikely it will take any points from today’s match with Auckland.

Auckland played impressively in the first half against Otago. There was a great deal of urgency about its play and it should have won by more. It led, 2-1, at half-

time but its dominance of the half was much greater than that score suggested. On a firm and even ground at the A and P Show

Grounds, Ramesh Patel, Jeff Archibald and Arthur Parkin had the Otago defence backpedalling for much of the first 35 minutes. They forced numerous penalty-comers but Trevor Laurence could only score from one. Auckland’s second goal was scored by a typically nippy movement by Patel. A shot at goal was partially cleared by Otago from a comer, but Patel was on the ball in a flash and angled a quick shot behind the goalie. A short time later Parkin had a chance from a pen-alty-stroke but he pushed

I the ball wide of the net. He made amends with a field goal in the second half. Otago’s goal came late in I the first half from one of

the three penalty-comers it received iti the match. It was scored by Simon Louden. A brilliant goal late in the game by Graeme Davies earned South Canterbury a point from a 1-all draw with Hawke’s Bay. A long through-pass was mistrapped by the Bay full-back, Dave Gillingham, and Davies ran on to the ball in the circle, controlled it well and from an acute angle fired the ball past the goal-keeper and two defenders. It was an eventful game. Minutes before half-time,

Tom Lacy, the Bay goalie, and Laurence Rawstorn, the South Canterbury centrehalf, were suspended after a difference of opinion in the circle. . Unfortunately, South Canterbury could not capitalise on the situation, and mid-way through the half Gary Peterson scored for the Bay when Dave Stuthridge missed a clearing kick. Ten minutes later South Canterbury had the ball in the goal, but the umpire did not play the advantage and blew for a penalty-stroke just as the goal was scored. South Canterbury’s chances of a draw looked dim when Chris Leslie pushed the stroke wide of the goal. Had it settled earlier South Canterbury might have done better. Its trapping was appalling in the

first-half, stopping many attacks before it had a chance to get mobile. Results of yesterday’s play:— Challenge Shield Pool A.—Northland 1, Wanganui 0; Hawke’s Bay 1, South

Canterbury 1. Points: Wellington, Northland 4, South Canterbury 3, Hawke’s Bay 1, Wanganui 0. Pool B.—Wairarapa 2. Manawatu 0; Auckland 3, Otago 1. Points: Canterbury, Auckland 4, Otago, Wairarapa 2, Manawatu 0. Rothmans Cup Pool A.—Hamilton 2, Nelson 1; West Coast 5, Army 1. Points: Hamilton, West Coast 3, Nelson 2, Army 0. Pool B—Horowhenua 4, Ashburton 2; Hutt Valley 4, Taranaki 3. Points: Horowhenua 4, Taranaki, Hutt Valley 2/ Ashburton 0. India Plate Pool A.—Franklin 1, Piako 0; North Otago 1, Rotorua 0. Points: Franklin 4, North Otago 3, Rotorua, Tauranga 2, Piako 1. Pool B.—Southland 2, Poverty Bay 2; Air Force 2, Marlborough 0. Points: Air Force 4. Marlborough 2, Southland, Poverty Bay 1.