Canty teams waste chances

Press, 30 August 1984, Page 36

Canty teams waste chances

From

KEVIN TUTTY

in Gisborne

Wasted scoring opportunities cost the Canterbury B hockey team dearly at the Adidas national men’s hockey tournament yesterday, and the same affliction almost cost the A team a point. Canterbury B dominated its match against West Coast and needed a win to keep its prospects of a semi-final place in the Newman’s Trophy (second section) alive. It had to settle for a 1-1 draw. Canterbury A played South Canterbury in the Challenge Shield section, and eventually won, 2-1, but not before it was given a fright when South Canterbury equalised at 1-1 midway through the secondhalf. Canterbury is virtually assured a place in the semifinals. It would have to lose by several goals to

Manawatu today to miss a place in the last four. Canterbury created enough scoring opportunites to win by a comfortable margin, but the South Canterbury defence lifted its play and maintained the high standard in spite of being constantly on the back foot. The one man who thwarted Canterbury more than any other was the South Canterbury goalkeeper, Russell Carvel. He blocked a number of shots that looked likely goals and made one brilliant reflex save from a close range shot by Chris Leslie. Both Canterbury A and Canterbury B forced numerous penalty corners, but poor trapping at the top of the circle negated many chances.

Canterbury’s first goal came after 15 minutes of the first half. It was the side’s first penalty corner,

and Leslie converted it. He scored the second goal, also from a penaltycorner but not until 20 minutes into the second half. It came from the team’s thirteenth penalty corner. South Canterbury had equalised five minutes earlier from a penalty stroke by Alistair Woodley after an overhead pass caught the Canterbury defence out of position. Richard Schoeman was an energetic worker for Canterbury at centre forward. He roamed the field finding space for himself and several times pierced the defence with swift strides, but three times he was foiled by the defence when goals looked a formality. Lesli,e and lan Riach were a dangerous attacking unit on the Canterbury left flank. Andrew Dove made some good

ground on the right wing, but Peter Tynan lacked urgency in his play at insideright. Rob Smith, at lefthalf, and John Griffin at right back were the best of the defenders. West Coast had to be complimented for its superb defensive work. Alan Schaefer, the burly big-hit-ting full-back, saved two penalty corners on the goal line after the goal-keeper was beaten. His fellow defenders threw themselves about the circle with disregard for their safety but kept the score at 1-1. Coast scored in the first half, from a penalty stroke taken by Colin Schaefer, and Canterbury equalised 20 minutes into the second half, when Mark Beatson scored, also from a penalty stroke. Leon Munt, Gavin lumberpatch, Michael ?“tsis and Beatson all playeo well for Canterbury.

Coast plays Auckland B in its last pool game today and with a draw would qualify for the semi-finals. Nelson beat Southland, 40, yesterday to keep its hopes of a place in the semi-finals of the Newmans Trophy alive. It plays Otago today, and the winner will qualify for the semi-finals with Taranaki. Results: Challenge Shield. Pool A: Auckland 3, Wairarapa 1; Wellington 1, Hawke’s Bay 1. Pool B: Canterbury -2, South Canterbury 1; Manawatu 1, Wanganui 0. Newmans Trophy. — Pool A: Hamilton 1, Auckland B 0; Horowhenua 5, Army 3; West Coast 1, Canterbury B 1. Pool B: Nelson 4, Southland 0; Taranaki 4, Otago 1; North Otago 4, Marlborough 0. India Plate. — Pool A: Wellington B 7, Wairoa 0; Counties 4, Rotorua 3. Pool B: Air Force 3, Piako 2; Tauranga 4, Poverty Bay 2.