Canterbury will need marked improvement to win hockey

Press, 4 June 1982, Page 28

Canterbury will need marked improvement to win hockey

By

KEVIN TUTTY

A 1-1 draw with the Canterbury Colts four weeks ago was an auspicious start to the season for the Canterbury hockey team. If it is to have a chance of winning the quadrangular tournament at Christchurch this week-end, a markedly improved performance is needed.

Canterbury will meet Otago, Manawatu and Wellington. in that order, at Porritt Park, and it is fortunate that the hardest opponent — Wellington — is on Monday. That will allow the coach, Jim Bowden, time to smooth out any wrinkles that arise in the first two games. Those Canterbury players who ■ were in Wellington at last year’s quadrangular tournament will remember vividly the first match of the tournament and the side succumbing to Manawatu. 1-2. The team is not drastically changed from last year, and it should be richer in experience, although that did not show in the game against the colts. The team's greatest problem was turning scoring opportunities into goals. Otago, Canterbury's .first opponent, will not be easy to overcome. Last year Canterbury beat Otago, 7-0, in the second match of the tournament, but the team that it meets tomorrow is sure to have a better organised defence. The former New Zealand representative, Maurice Marquet, is the goal-keeper, and that is an ominous sign for Canterbury. In its loss to

Manawatu last year it was Graeme Sligo, the New Zealand goal-keeper, who virtually single-handed, kept the Canterbury forwards at bay. Marquet retired last year because of an injury, but he has rid himself of that problem, and is keen to regain his place in the national side, so will be attempting to make a strong impression this weekend. Ken Fergus, the Otago captain. Scott Louden and Chris Seeley are all experienced provincial players who will form a solid 'defence. John Tanner, Robert Clay and Ewan Maxwell form a skilled forward trio. Manawatu has suffered from the loss of Paul Ackerley, the New Zealand captain, Alan Lints and Bruce Kensington, a member of the New Zealand junior side last year, and might struggle to match the other sides. If Canterbury can win its first two games, and assuming Wellington • does the same, the final on Monday between these two sides should be enthralling. Wellington, like Canterbury, has a new coach this year. It is being guided by the former New Zealand re-

presentative. Alan Mclntyre. Another former national player, Jan Borren, is the Wellington captain. The Wellington attack has had several changes since last season and only Borren and Peter Miskimmin remain of the regular line-up; but it has a New Zealand junior of ability in Laurie Gallen, and Tone Borren, a brother of Jan, who played several seasons for the University side in Christchurch. The Wellington defence has lost its centre-half. Stuart Grimshaw, but with Brent Miskimmin, Hus Bhikha, Wayne Buckingham and Phil Benfield, retains a formidable wall to counter any attack in New Zealand. ■ To succeed Canterbury will have to reduce the high error rate that plagued it against the colts, and the forwards will need to be more attentive inside the opposition’s 25m area. There was a tendency among the defence against the colts to rush tackles, and pass into congested'. areas where forwards had little hope of receiving the ball. If it can eliminate these woes Canterbury must be at even odds to win the tournament.