Archibald proves hockey durability

Press, 12 May 1987, Page 64

Archibald proves hockey durability

By

KEVIN TUTTY

Jeff Archibald, the Auckland and former New Zealand hockey player, like a certain brand of paint, keeps on keeping on.

The durable Aucklander is playing his nineteenth consecutive season for the province, and, sometime in the middle of the season he will play his 250th game.

Arcbibaid has been included in the Auckland team to play in the Post Bank Champions tournament in Christchurch from May 28 to June 1.

He is the last member of an outstanding group of Aucklanders who began playing for the province in the late 1960 s and early 19705.

Two colleagues who were permanent fixtures in the Auckland team for many years, Ramesh Patel and Arthur Parkin,

retired from provincial hockey at the end of last season. •

“With Ramesh and Arthur retiring it left a big gap in the Auckland side, so I said that I would be available if required this season,” said Archibald yesterday.

Kevin Towns, the Auckland coach, was quick to seize Archibald’s offer and the former forward-cum-centre half, was included in the Auckland team which made a short tour of New South Wales last month.

Aged 35, although the Auckland team list for the Champions tournament has him as 33, Archibald said he was uncertain if he would be available again next year. Archibald is the oldest player by nine years in what is now a relatively young Auckland squad, which includes nine other New Zealand representatives.

The Auckland squad Is: lan Woodley, Don Davis; Chan Chiba, Graham Child, Anthony Thornton, Geoffrey Coldham, Jeff Archibald, Chris Brown; Paresh Patel, Jamie Smith, Peter Daji, Mark Leaver, Mark Kake, Simon Norton, Manoj Daji.