HOCKEY

Grey River Argus, 13 August 1946, Page 6

HOCKEY

PROSPECTS FOR REP. TEAM The first representative hockey match in Greymouth for some time will be played on the Recreation Ground on August 24 when West Coast will meet the Waimai (Nelson) senior team. On the same day a selected team of Greymouth colts will play a junior team from the same club. The senior match will be in the nature of a preliminary to the match between West Coast and Canterbury at Christchurch on September 28. The Coasters will have to he right on their toes against the Canterbury team which is composed of young, fast players. Goalkeepers: • Onty two goalkeepers have shown anything approaching representative form. L. Cairns (Wheelmen) has come through a difficult season creditably, being the ’keeper for the young Wheelmen team. A. Eatwell (Cobden) has shown decisive improvement during the season and his chances of selection are high. Full-backs: In these positions the selection of the final two will probably prove a headache to the selectors, as all players in these positions have acquired the same high standard of play. G. Swinburne (Greymouth) has been consist right throughout the season. T. McKenzie and L. Sequin (Pacific) have proved a useful combination and have rendered invaluable service to their club. The Nimmo brothers (Cobden) have also played well and are worthy of consideration. H aIT - bcicks * R. Beckman (Cobden) is perhaps the favourite choice for the centrehalf position, but other players who also contest that position are M. Atkinson (Greymouth), J. Watt. (Cobden Rangers) and F. Grogan (Marist). Atkinson has shown excellent stick work during the season, his exploitation of the “push” shot being an outstanding feature of his game. Watt lias not appeared in recent games, but his performances in earlier games enhances his chances of selection. F. Grogan has also shown good stick work and his form in more recent games has shown his real ability. Forwards:

The final selection of five forwards will prove a conundrum. Of the right wings E. Tones (Greymopth) and K. Williams (Marist) have shown best form and the final selection _ should rest with these two. No left wingers have shown the required ability and some experimental, reshuffling of the forward line may have to be resorted to before a capable player is found to fill this position. The inside forwards should prove an excellent combination. ' Contenders for the centre-for-ward position are P. Clarke (Cobden Rangers), S. England (Greymouth), L. Coffey (Pacific) and A. Hill (Cobden). They have all played well Ihroughout the and the representative honours should go to one of these four. K. Kendon (Greymouth) has been outstanding at inside-right and must be worthy of consideration. The best of the inside lefts are J. Curnow (Marist) and M. Eatwell (Cobden), but if a re-shuffle is necessary, then J. Best (Greymouth) and M. Anderson (Cobden Rangers) must also be considered. Greymouth Colts' Team: The task of selecting a colts’ team is not an easy one, there being a number of young players of marked ability. Such players as R. Parmenter (Marist), G. Williams. R. Williams, M. Bergamini, C. Harrison (Wheelmen), D. Bradley, B. Newton. N. Gardiner (Greymouth) and F. Woodhouse (Pacific) are worthy youngsters, and every endeavour to encourage and foster the game in this category should be made. '