Hockey title hard to predict

Press, 17 March 1982, Page 35

Hockey title hard to predict

Selwyn. a deserving winner of the senior men's hockey championship last season, has been dealt two worrying blows before the season has started. Two of the key defenders in last year's team, Greg Barrett and Tony Jury, will be absent this season, and their wide experience, both at club and inter-provincial level, will be impossible to replace immediately. Last season the ’hallmark of Selwyn's success was its consistency, and if it can retain that same ingredient this year, it will be well on the way to a second successive win in the championship. Consistency was an attribute lacking in the other teams that challenged for the senior championship last year, but if Harewood and High School Old Boys can achieve a degree of consistency throughout the season, they will be strong contenders for the championship. Harewood has probably the greatest array of talent

in the senior competition but its greatest problem last year was the refusal of the forwards to recognise the need for inter-passing.

On one of the few occasions they followed the instruction of their coach. Tony Hayde. Harewood bea’t Selwvn 5-4.

Harewood has virtually the same team this season. Its only loss is Patrick Hayde from the forward line, and his place will probably be taken by Phil Teague. The once mighty University team has suffered dreadfully from losses during the winter, and the team this season will only be a shell of its former self. Cyril Walter, who will continue to coach the team, has a demanding job ahead of him to rebuild.

Last year six teams were separated by only three points at the end of the competition, but Selwyn was well clear at the head of the points table. This year the situation could be a lot different. and it could only do senior hockey good to have half a dozen team fighting for the title in the last round of the season. With the loss of Barrett and Jury, a more weighty load will lie on the shoulders of Craig Burtt. Robin Wilson and Alistair McGregor, in the Selwvn defence.

Mark Burtt and George Carnoutsos. the % inside forwards. may have some of their attacking power blunted too, by the need to play more deeply to assist the defenders. Richard Schoeman. who developed into a valuable attacking force last year, will retain his position at centre-forward, and David Clements, a tenacious leftwing will be playing again. Balwmt Bhana, Chris Leslie. lan Hill and lan Riach. give Harewood potentially the best forward line in the senior competition.

Behind them the defence remains unchanged. Dick Pettit will fill the centre-half position, and Andy Innes, one of the outstanding players in the New Zealand junior team in Hong Kong last October and Greg Cowles, remain as the wing halves. lan Steel and Alistair Penfold will be the full-backs and Ron Smith the goal-keeper.

Neil Edmundson. Matt Slark. Ross Fowler and John Smith have all been lost from the University team, and there is some doubt if

John Wood , will be playing again.

Chris Maister, Greg Pierce, the likely centre-half, and Warwick Shillito, form the very small core of experience left in University the side. Pirn Borren. and the goal-keeper, last year, Mike Quirk, will play again, but the remainder'of the side will be very inexperienced. Attempts to attract Selwyn Maister back into the team have been unsuccessful X

The only loss High SchoolOld Boys have had from last year's team is Greg Armstrong, but it is a significant loss to the forward line. His tireless work at insideleft was invaluable.and he will not be easily replaced. Rob Smith has been appointed captain-coach of the team, a situation he would prefer not to be in, but the club hopes to gain the services of Ernie Barnes to assist with coaching, at least on Saturdays. Dave Stuthridge, who broke a leg late last season is eager to take his place in the Old Boys goal. Smith. Paul Ritani. Maurice Kidd and Simon Tilley will be the basis of the Old Boys defence. and what should be the most solid defence in the competition.

If the forwards, led by Geoff Deakins and Kerry Thomas can combine more effectively than they did for most of last season. Old Boys will be a definite prospect for the championship. John Smith, a brother of Rob. has returned after a couple of seasons overseas, and his eagerness will be an asset.

"Normally we lose several players each year, but this is the best we have looked at the start of a season for a long time." said Rob Smith

with a hint of expectation in his voice. Sydenham finished second last year and retains its strength for this season. Murray Peacock has succumbed to an injury that has troubled him for the last two seasons and he will not play. Ross Ambler, Dick Spiers, Bryan Ayson and Marty Fitzsimmons give the defence ample experience, and in the forward line Ross Thomson and Steve Ambler will be relied on to provide the impetus. Redcliffs has retained the majority of its team from last season, but its coach. Murray Connor is concerned at the lack of players available to the club. "Normally you would expect to get three of four players a'year who could be considered for the senior team, but we are getting none from the secondary schools in spite of the fact the area has produced excellent schoolboy teams year after year, including many who have become New Zealand representatives." Peter Christensen. Percy Burgess, Dave Cochrane and Chris Prutton. established players, are back in the defence, and the forward line contains familiar faces in the Munt brothers. Leon and Richard. Murray Johnston. Brent Stanley and Brendon Beaumont.

Woolston. the surprise team of the second round last year, will be as difficult to overcome this year. It has lost none of that side, and has gained Douglas Chapman from Otago, but he will find

it hard to break into the top XI.

If Don McKenzie can get more support on attack this year Woolston will finish further up the points table. Its defence, although not brilliant. is determined and fit. and it follows to the letter the instructions of coach Ross Gillespie, and that plays a large part in its success.

Steve Barrow. Gary Copsey. Roger Campbell and Ross Barry will be the mainstay- of the defence.

Determined to improve on last year’s disheartening season when it scored only one competition point in 16 games, Pegasus has had a squad of 20 training since before Christmas.

It has three talented young players from various secondary schools — Darryl McEwen. Andrew Dove and David Grudny. All are forwards who will find senior hockey a tough initiation, but the Pegasus coach. Peter Oakes, believes they have the ability and temperament to cope. They will have the former Canterbury player. Bob Best, on the left-wing to guide them with his vast experience.

Peter Cox. a former

Canterbury player, has renewed his’ interest and will play in the defence — a valuable acquisition. Remaining from last year are Rob. Wilson, Jeff McEwen at centre-half and Bruce Radovonich.

Linwood United has lost; Darryl Small, a stalwart of I the side for many years, but Linwood has gained several young newcomers, to com- ! pensate for the loss of Small. ( Noel Hobson, the Linwood : coach, has a challenge ahead I of himself to lift Linwood * from the lowly position it ■ occupied on the points table i last year.