Auckland confirmed its hockey superiority

Press, 12 September 1986, Page 14

Auckland confirmed its hockey superiority

By

KEVIN TUTTY

Auckland’s commanding success in the top two divisions of the Post Office Savings Bank national men’s hockey tournament which concluded in Wellington last Saturday should be a catalyst for more progressive thinking among hockey coaches and administrators around New Zealand. Without greater commitment from these two groups of people in other provinces, Auckland is destined for a long reign at the top. The Auckland Hockey Association over a period of years has dedicated itself to the improvement of its representative teams and has provided earnest support for their endeavours. The Auckland players have responded to the challenge and the A team played with such style that it is now on a pedestal above both and Wellington, who in the last few years, had been able to maintain some parity with the Aucklanders. Both those teams are now a step behind Auckland and that cannot be healthy. The only positive factor to emerge from the tournament was that Northland has shown an improvement, and with a talented band of teenagers in its squad, should continue to be a formid-

able opponent for the other three major teams for some years. The tempo at which Auckland A played its hockey was the major factor in its success. No other team was able to maintain the pace, and mental concentration required to execute the skills of the game, for a full 70 minutes. Auckland’s brilliance has been achieved of course without the aid of an artificial surface in its association. All its matches, with the exception of the occasional visit to Whangarei and Wellington, are still played on grass. They have proved that a top team can be produced on good grass surfaces. It is likely though that Auckland may have two artificial grounds within the next two years. The other provinces have until then to counter its dominance, or fall even further behind. Ewen Holstein, the Canterbury A coach, said after his team lost to Auckland 0-3 in the semifinals that planning must start immediately if the red and blacks are to make an impression on Auckland next season.

He is convinced Canterbury has the players to match Auckland and conceded that if Canterbury did not provide Auckland with a sterner challenge there would be no excuses. By next season Canterbury will have its artificial surface at Porritt Park and its programme of representative matches building up to the national tournament — next year in Whangarei — will not run the risk of being badly disrupted by the weather as it was this season. Holstein also agreed that the club hockey competition was in need of revision. In the last couple of years representative players have not had hard games late in the season when the tournament is drawing nearer. Ninety-five per cent of the two representative teams comprise players from the top six clubs, and Mr Holstein said that splitting the competition into a top sjx after the first full round would be a means of preparing players for the rigours of a tournament where five games must be played in six days. Those six club teams would provide hard, even, encounters every week. The introduction of the artificial surface will mean some dramatic changes to club hockey in Christchurch. It would be an opportune time to revise the present senior competition format. It was the basics which let Canterbury down against Auckland in the semi-finals, and against Wellington in pool play last week. It is crucial on artificial turf that trapping is perfect, and that passes are made with

laser beam accuracy. Too often these two fundamentals let Canterbury players down. The forwards failed to combine as Canterbury attacks have in the past. The left flank attacked or the right flank attacked. It was very rare to see the point of attack switched from left to right or vice versa. It was the quick switch of the point of the attack that was one of Auckland’s strengths. The Canterbury defence played steadily. The introduction of Scott Hobson, only 19 years of age, to right half was a bold move by Mr Holstein. He defended admirably, but soon learned that passing at the highest representative level has to be firm and accurate. David Penfold was an assertive centre half who did some marvellous work on deep defence, and should continue to mature in the position. The other defenders all displayed plenty of old fashioned grit, none more so than Mark Tynan, who played 60 minutes of the semi-final against Auckland after being severely ill the previous evening. Robin Wilson made a return to form at right back. The New Zealand coach, Trevor Blake, would have been as relieved to see that improvement in form as Mr Holstein. Wilson is in the New Zealand World Cup team which leaves in two weeks for London. Canterbury B maintained an unbeaten record up to its last match of the season — the Newmans Trophy final against Auckland B. Throughout the week the team produced attractive hockey, but in the

final against Auckland B did not play with the same authority. It missed a couple of good scoring opportunities early in the second half when down 01, which had they been taken, might have put a different complexion on the match. Andy Innes, the captain and left-back, was the team’s most valuable defender, and it would not be a surprise to see him back in the Canterbury A squad next year. Tim Harvey, a young full back, showed coolness and maturity under stress, and Mike Skilton was an efficient centre half who distributed the ball quickly. Phil Crisp was one of the most consistent, and dangerous, right wings at the entire tournament. The other prominent forward in the Canterbury attack was rangy Richard Schoeman. His speed to through passes caused all defences consternation, and his quick reflexes in the circle brought him a hat-trick within 20 minutes of being subbed on at half-time in the semi-final against Wanganui. Two South Island teams, Nelson and Ashburton, featured in the final of the India Plate (third section). Both played attractive, attacking hockey during the week, and Ashburton scored two goals in its semi-final against Taranaki that were as good as any scored during the week. Both teams deserved promotion to the Newmans Trophy section, but only Nelson will win that right for next year’s tournament in Whangarei.