Champions hockey tournaments Wellington-based

Press, 1 June 1989, Page 41

Champions hockey tournaments Wellington-based

By

KEVIN TUTTY

When the New Zealand Hockey Federation came into existence last November, it vowed to promote the men’s and women's branch of the game together whenever it was possible.

This week-end the men’s and women’s Champions tournaments will be played in Wellington, the federation billing the tournaments as a festival of hockey. The tournaments, which start today and end on Monday, include the top five men’s teams from the national tournament in Christchurch last September, and a President's XI chosen from those associations not represented in the top five.

The women’s teams are the top six from their national tournament last year. Canterbury is represented in both the men’s and women’s sections. The tournaments were first held in 1985 and the Canterbury women have won each year.

Auckland has been a thorn in the side of the Canterbury men in each of the five years, the red and blacks having to settle for the runner-up position to their old rivals each year.

The tournament comes at an ideal time. It will enable the members of the New Zealand men’s and women's team, who will embark on international tours this month, to make the step from club to international hockey.

The men’s title should be a three-way battle between the holder, Auckland, and Well-

ington and Canterbury. Auckland has nine New Zealand players in its squad, and probably deserves favouritism for the tournament. It has a tried and proven combination and that should make it easier for the new Auckland coach, Babu Daji, who has replaced Kevin Towns, now the national coach.

Wellington feels it has a point to prove. It has only three players in the New Zealand team and after finishing second in the national tournament last year, some members of the Wellington squad do not believe that is a fair representation. John Melhuish, one of the Wellington goal-keepers, was passed over for the national team in preference for Grant McMinn, the other Wellington goalie. Canterbury players have no grudges against the national selectors, and instead will be hoping for better form than they displayed last year at the national tournament.

If there is a question mark about Canterbury, it is in its defence. The defenders have played well enough in club matches, but the test will be whether they can cope with the increased skill and pace of the Auckland and Wellington forwards. The week-end will also be a test for the teenager, David Mills, who will play at insideright. He is fortunate that he has players of high quality around him. Chris Leslie has been improving as the season wears on and his leadership will be

an important factor in any success. Last season the team seemed to lack total unity, and the old fashioned determination needed to beat Auckland and Wellington semed to fall short.

Canterbury starts its campaign this morning against Northland. Its other games, in order are against Manawatu, Wellington, Auckland and the President’s XI.

The Canterbury women’s team has built an outstandng record in the last four seasons. It has not lost a match on artificial turf since such surfaces were introduced into New Zealand. That unbeaten streak has extended to 24 games. Only four of those have been draws.

Canterbury’s most difficult opposition is likely to be Auckland and Otago. Tenacity is a trait all Auckland teams encompass. Last year it took a Canterbury runaway goal against the run of play to beat Auckland 1-0. Otago is a young, talented side and last year in a thrilling finale to the Champions tournament at Porritt Park, held Canterbury to a 2-2 draw.

Canterbury, with nine New Zealand players in its ranks, is the favourite to win the tournament again, but there will need to be an improvement in form by some of those players if Canterbury is to win.

One thing the Canterbury team does possess and that is the ability to fight the final whistle and extract itself from difficult situations.