Hockey juniors in good hands

Press, 4 May 1984, Page 16

Hockey juniors in good hands

By

JANE DAVIDSON

There is every chance that this year’s under 21 women’s hockey side can maintain the high standard of recent Canterbury age group teams. Only six of the 15-strong squad were in the side last year, but there remains a sense of unity, evident last Sunday during the 5-0 win against Malvern. The score was commendable considering the team was named only five days before the match. The team is fortunate in having the services of Judy Phillips, a vastly experienced and talented player, as coach. Phillips first played for New Zealand in 1975—she was dropped only last year—and has been one of the forces behind Canterbury’s recent successes at Prudential Cup level. Phillips is convinced that the standard of hockey has improved greatly in the last five or six years, with more intensive competition, par-

ticularly in age group tournaments. The stickwork of today’s youth sides is better “and they’re having to apply themselves more” to keep up with the grade, she said. Although she admitted that Malvern was not the toughest of opponents, Phillips said her charges looked “impressive,” and had settled quickly as a team capable of mounting “smooth attacks.” The penalty corner bracket, as practised by Sue Duggan, Kerrien Doig and Hayley Read, three of the six players from last year’s successful side, was working efficiently; and Pam Mitchell and Nicky Scott, the two new wings, appeared speedy, capable forwards. Read, a strong, hard hitter of the ball, is likely to

play a valuable role in helping the side make quick changes from defence to offence. The amount of long ball she hits through from the backline could well have a direct bearing on the number of attacking chances that are created, and as captian she is likely to lead by example. Gill Kane and Tania Johnstone have proved assets for the Selwyn Club so far this season, and there is no reason why their good form should not continue with this side. Both play key roles in defence, Kane as a back and Johnstone as a goal-keeper. Johnstone has - been in. outstanding form lately, and she could find a place in virtually any full provincial team except Can-» terbury, which boasts the New Zealand keeper, Lesley Murdoch. Jayne Beattie, who has switched from the wing to centre in club hockey, will play predominantly as the inside right, with Delwyn Richards and Sue Duggan, the vice-captain, completing the front line. For the first time in several seasons, two Rangi Ruru players have been in-’ eluded. Tracy Jowers is likely to play at left back, and Vicki Inch is a versatile forward who can play in one of several positions. She could find herself in the halves with Felicity Gardiner (Rangiora), Joanna Brinkman (Woolston) or Lorraine Rouse (Harewood), and Julie King (Carlton) complete the squad. Canterbury has drawn its toughest opponent, Ashburton, in the first match of the area tournament at Darfield tomorrow, and will also play Nelson, Marlborough and South Canterbury, the. latter two on Sunday. But the ultimate goal is the national finals at Palmerston North on June 3-5.