WANGANUI HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP SHIELD

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 July 1947, Page 7

WANGANUI HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP SHIELD

PROSPECTS OF TEAMS

(By "Slicks.'') The next round in the Wanganui Hockey Association’s programme is is that for the Championship Shield at present held by Castled iff. Naturally, interest will centre round the finalists in the Spicer Cup of last week, Hinemoa and Teelfical Old Boys,

CabtleclllT captured the Shield in their first season's appearance, namely last year, and although they have not shown to date the form expected of them, things arc going to happen now that H. Rees is their sole selector. Tim Calkin, the goal-keeper, ranks as Wanganui’s best and provided M. Futcher and E. Robinson, the two fullbacks, settle down seriously, their defence will be a hard nut to crack. Whether H. Rees will 'be playing centre half or centre forward, remains to be seen, but no matter where he does figure in the team it will be to their best advantage, and v.e look forward to the team as It will appear on Saturday

Hineiiioa, lhe runners-up for the Spicer Cup, possess a set of backs who, in any’ opposing team’s estimation, are too reliable. With the return of N. J. Mclntyre the half line wiil be vastly strengthened, but he would iind his form sooner if placed as a wing half to allow Gordon Hughes, who has done an excellent job in centre, to continue to do so. Given just a little more finish to the forward line, and no doubt R. Mclntyre, M. Springer and W. Spicer will be a spearhead not to be reckoned lightly with.

Technical old Boys, winners of the Spicer Cup last Saturday, have a difficult five games ahead of them, and can rest assured that all efforts will be made to bring about their defeat, their goalie, P. Williamson, is fast becoming Wanganui's best, and given the opportunity, he may be such next year. With Inm is a grand back line in J. Myers and M. Goldsbury, the latter now showing something of his form of two seasons back. The forwards will have to settle down and combine more with less individualism, if they wish to remain unbeaten this season. Both Ron Glasgow and Bob Williamson are excellent halves, who always keep the ground between the backs and forwards well covered.

Federal: ..This club has no goalkeeper to speak of, although Bruce Hands has done a creditable job when called upon to fill that position. Bob Palmer and Bob Summerhays are the best pair of backs seen in Wanganui t oday, ano are as lam as the KocK of Gibraltar in their defence. H. Dyson

is their gieatest asset in centre half, a tiger for work and always capable of springing a surprise attack. The forward line lacks cohesion, and if Gordon Davis were given the chance to show his worth as an inside left, their scoring would definitely be greater. Here, as in the T. 0.8., there is too much individual play, but from whispering. it can be taken that better tilings are forthcoming in lhe next I've weeks.

t'nited: A true and capable pivot is their centre half, lan Reid, who worries the life out of any opposing forwards. There arc several players of merit in this club, and with a few more games together, they should be able to produce some good hockey. Although only in its infancy, this team has proved that it has just as much chance as any other in the coming competition.

Technical College: Coached by that outstanding inside left, J. Keats, the school is no idle threat to the holders of the Shield. Their greatest asset is fitness, which has come to the fore in all games bar the last. They may be a trifle slow in getting going, but the second half is usually theirs and they certainly make the most of it. ft. Scott, their reliable full-back and goalie, J. Alexander, are a defence which is quite a hurdle for any opposing forward line. When it comes to combination the school boys put the older players to shame, and this, together with their fitness, may result in their winning the Shield.