Tough hockey matches

Press, 30 May 1981, Page 60

Tough hockey matches

The Canterbury under-21 women’s hockey team faces probably its two hardest games on the first day of the national final at Hospital Corner this week-end.

This morning Canterbury plays Wellington and this afternoon Auckland in the ANZ Bank sponsored tournament which brings together the winners of five regional qualifying tournaments. Canterbury is the defending champion. It won the Bass Worthington Trophy at Wellington last year and the successful coach then, Ann McKenna, is- guiding the side again this year. She has been

able to retain nine of last year’s team, but is not making any predictions about the outcome, . ’

She does not consider the draw a disadvantage though. “The Ygirls 1 . are keen to get into the tournament and will be treating each game as hard as the other. You cannot afford a loss in a roundrobin tournament.” The other opponents for the host side are Otago tomorrow afternoon and Manawatu on Monday morning. Besides the national title there is an added incentive for the members of the five

teams. Next year a national under-23 team will be chosen for an international tournament in Palmerston North

and the bulk of the players are likely to be seen at this tournament. The draw for the tournament is. - Today.—9.4s: Wellington v Canterbury; 10.15: Manawatu v Otago; 2.00: Auckland v Canterbury; 2.30; Wellington v Otago; Sunday.—9.3o: Auckland v Otago; 10.30: Wellington v Manawatu; 2.00: Auckland v Manawatu; 2.30: Otago v buryMonday.—9.3o: Manawatu v Canterbury; 10.00; Auckland v Wellington.