Strong Teams for Country Week Tourney

Northern Advocate, 13 June 1938, Page 9

Strong Teams for Country Week Tourney

In the Country Week competitions at Auckland next week. Whangarei will be represented by four teams — one each in the men’s A and B and ladies’ A and B sections. Teams were finalised on Saturday last after trials had been completed. It is emphasised that the trials were only for players who are available. In the men’s A section the team selected is practically identical with the one that went through Country Week undefeated last year, to lose the trophy by one point on the luck of the draw. Fyfe, acknowledged as one of the best halves of the district, is unavailable, and the team will be the weaker for his absence. M. Carter and G. Windley are the two players included who did not play in the side last season. G. Windley, however, is an old representative and the team will be strengthened by his inclusion.

Although it will represent Whangarei throughout Country Week, the men’s A team selected on Saturday will not be the one to meet the Indians when they play Whangarei in the course of the New Zealand tour. As a matter of fact, from players unavailable for the Country Week trip, it would be possible for the selectors to pick a side equally as strong as the one to go on tom’. Whangarei has produced some good material for the hockey field in the past, and the standard of play here at present is particularly high with the individual. Perhaps it is too much to hope that Whangarei could secure a victory from the Indians, who are among the best exponents of hockey in the world; but this much is certain: that. Hie team brought forward by the association will at least give the Indians stout resistance.

So far as the men’s B Country Week tournament is concerned, it is a side of young players, but one that is defintely full of promise. “No matter what fortune favours tills side in Auckland, we have done the right thing in sending it away,” one selector commented. “It is from these young players that our future representatives will bo selected, and the experience gained in Country Week play will stand the boys in good stead for future requirements.” Selectors for the men’s teams are Messrs A. J. Magee, J. N. Munro, and S. Humphrey. The ladies’ A team, as finalised on Saturday, is as strong as any ever sent out of the district by the Whangarei Association. Provided that all the members arc able to make the trip—-and at the moment they arc all available—the team should certainly give a good account of itself.

Ladies’ selectors are Mrs H. Webb, Mrs A. McMillan and Mr H. Patterson. Teams have been announced as follows: Men’s A.—N. S. Franklin, F. Carter, A. Kelly, K. Carter, W. Johns, M. Carter, C. Bint, A. Byles, G. Windley, A. Sloanc (captain), L. Goodenough, F. Draffin.

Men’s B.—N. Challenger, G. Whittle, J. R. Price, N. Dyer, J. Howie, J. Kerr, T. Graham, J. Carter, G. Sheppard, L. Whisker, J. Palmer, J. Rule and N. Johnson.

Ladies’ A.—M. Hutchins, E. Snell. J. Alison, O. Fawcett, J. Skullen, J. Fawcett, A. Dent, I. Squires (captain). K. Sands, F. Attwood, D. Saul fvice-captain), P. Alison, L. Meyer, C. Snell, M. Sloane.

Ladies’ B.—A. Bint. V. Courtney, D. Boswell. G. Morgan, L. McKinley (vice-captain). P. Norris, M. Wilson, N. Hutchins, A. Trigg. P. Jackman. E. Peterson, P. Peterson, I. Stewart. ,7. Spratt, D. Boyer (captain).