Optimism in hockey camp

Press, 21 June 1980, Page 60

Optimism in hockey camp

By KEVIN TUTTY Since its 1-0 loss to Wellington three weeks ago, the Canterbury hockey team has spent a lot of time analysing its mediocre performance. It believes it has conquered the problems that affected it in that game, and that it has the formula for victory when it meets Wellington again at Porritt Oval tomorrow.

The Canterbury coach, Mr Cyril Walter, said yesterday that it was basics like trapping, alertness, and urgency that let Canterbury down s at Queen’s Birthday week-end.

“We have studied the game closely, tried to criticise our performance, and get to the root of the problems. When you plan strategies and defences it is in the hands of the players whether they are carried out.” Mr Walter has two team members who did not play three weeks ago. Both George Carnoutsos and Jeff Gibson should help strengthen the Canterbury side.

However that will be small consolation, because the Wellington coach, Mr Doug McLean, has added Alan McIntyre, Craig Galloway, and Bruce Holmes, all experienced provincial players. The inclusion of Mclntyre will add to Canterbury’s problems. His ability to set up play at inside-right means he will have to be marked closely. Ross Ambler, playing only his fourth game for a full Canterbury side, has that unenviable task. He will need some assistance, and this duty will fall on Mark Burtt, the inside-left, who will thus have to curb his natural attacking tendencies.

Besides an improvement in their trapping and urgency, the Canterbury forwards will also have to be more conscious of finding space to receive passes from their halves and backs, something they did not do well three weeks ago. Carnoutsos has been one of the outstanding forwards

in club hockey in recent weeks. He will start tomorrow on the right-wing, but if the attack does not function smoothly it will not be a surprise to see Mr Walter. move him to centre-forward.

Playing against the Wellington defence will not allow Carnoutsos the same freedom at centre-forward as he receives in club hockey, but his game has matured tremendously in less than a year, and has the speed and skill to give the Wellington centre-half, Brent Miskimmin, a torrid time. The Canterbury defence is perhaps the least experienced the province has had for more than a decade. Selwyn Maister will carry a heavy workload at centre-half, bebecause the other four defenders, Gibson, Ambler, Greg Pierce, and Robin Wilson are still developing at provincial level. Wellington’s defence is not that much more experienced, but it has two of the best backs in New Zealand — Phil Benfield and " Wayne

Buckingham. Their mistakes were few against Canterbury three weeks ago. Peter Miskimmin, the most dangerous Wellington forward at Queen’s Birthday week-end, will have to be more closely marked tomorrow.

Mr McLean, who retired as Wellington coach at the end of last season has been talked into assuming the role again since the Queen’s Birthday Week-end tournament. One of his first moves has been to include Holmes and Galloway at the expense of the New Zealand juniors, Laurie Gallen and Stuart Grimshaw.

The Wellington team is: Paul Tessier; Buckingham, Benfield; Galloway, Brent Miskimmin, Hus Bhikha; Chuni Bhikha, Mclntyre, Peter Miskimmin, Simon Norton, Holmes. McLean will use reserves from the Wellington B team which will play South Canterbury and Canterbury B earlier in the day.