Nine retained to defend title

Press, 30 April 1981, Page 36

Nine retained to defend title

Nine of last year’s successful Canterbury under-21 women’s hockey team are retained in the 1981 side announced yesterday to de: fend the national under-21 provincial championship. • Canterbury will meet Malvern, Ashburton, South Canterbury and North Otago in a regional tournament at Darfield on May 16 and 17. If it is successful, and it would be a shock if it is not, Canterbury will meet the winners of four other regional tournaments at the national final in Christchurch at Queen’s Birthday Weekend. The team chosen by the selectors, Anne McKenna (convener), Maureen Ogier and Judy Gamblin, is:— Alison Sutherland (captain), Maree Flannery (Harewood); Kathy Patterson, (vice-captain, Carlton); Philippa Baker, Sue Duggan, Debbie Hockley, Sandra Bednarek (Wools'ton); Leanne Doig, Jane Earnshaw, Kim Jolley, Anne Jopson, Lynda O’Kane, Debbie Penney (Burnside); Rosemary Gardiner, Jane Jenkins, Bonnie Paniora (Selwyn-Hillmorton).' Misses Jopson and Bednarek have been bracketed

for the goal-keeper's positionJ Miss Jopson’s selection is subject to a fitness test. Twa players will be named later as non-travelling reserves. , The Canterbury colts’! team for the national tourna-! riient at Auckland from May) 18 to .24 has also been an-l nounced. It is:- I David Loader; Andy Innesj (captain), Alistair PenfoldJ Grant Simmonds, Jefs McEwen, Simon Tilley (vicecaptain), Malcolm Wood, David Penfold; John Radovonich, Warwick Shillito, Murray Johnson, Dora McKenzie, Matt Slark, Chris! Leslie. The team has a strong, forward line and an adequate' defence, but a problem for' the coach, Bob Best, is the jack of games for the team before the tournament. It will play the South Canterbury colts’ on Sunday and the Canterbury senior side on May 10, but Mr Best would have' preferred a few more games of substance to prepare the side. j Canterbury's draw for the tournament .is: v. South Canterbury; May 18: v. Hamilton, May 19: v. Wellington, May 20; v. Otago, May 21.