Varsity looks team to beat

Seeking its fourth championship win in as many years, the University senior men's hockey team again looks like the team to beat for Wellington hockey supremacy.

The moving of former international fullback Brian Turner to inside right beside the brilliant world XI right-wing Bruce Judge is largely providing the basis for this prediction.

These two, displaying expert ball control and being ably supported by a fast moving, quick passing half line in Wellington representatives Keith Purchase, Robin Kendrick and John Scott, have shown a deep understanding of the cohesive controlled and constructive type of hockey which has brought championship honours in the past and to which few teams are expected to provide a solution.

Reappraisal

A reappraisal of offensive strategy may be required before Old Boys are met again in the second round, perhaps utilising more the attacking potential of former Hawkes Bay centre-forward Trevor Bales and Colts representative Paul Dentice.

The success of a 5 man attack was demonstrated in the match against Rongotai Old Boys when the swift passing of the ball among the forward line bewildered the opposition.

In the game against Northern United on 12 May, the University side played some of its best and worst hockey this season.

The encouraging aspect was the way the ball was moved skilfully and accurately among the forwards with the opposition defence being penetrated almost at will.

The seven goals scored—including three each by Bruce Judge and Paul Dentice—would seem to indicate that the Varsity forwards monopolised the game.

Less heartening was the fact that the Varsity defence in this game let in three out of the four goals it has conceded this season.

The absence, from this game, of the normal wing-halves Keith Purchase and John Scott, both of whom provide excellent cover-defence, probably provides the reason for this.

Players

Bill Fenton, Robin Kendrick and Bruce Judge were selected for the Wellington team which beat Wairarapa 2-1, Keith Purchase was a reserve and Brian Turner preferred to go on his honeymoon.

Strength

The strength of the V.U.W. Hockey Club is evident in all grades and particularly in Senior Reserve where the two Varsity teams are out to win the competition for the fifth time since 1964.

Pleas for a second University Senior team have for seasons been falling on the deaf ears of the Wellington Hockey Association, with the result that a number of talented hockey players—Geoff Kirkham, Bill Fenton, Alistair Botting, Dave Duggan, Bob Gray, Peter Morgan, Dave Coldham, Jim Pether and Philip Gibbons—to name but a few who have easily the ability to play Senior hockey, and who in many cases have, done so are languishing in an incentive —stunting, complacency—inducing mire of mediocrity.

Efforts to introduce a little enlightenment in the areas of decision-making this year by endeavouring to get Varsity "sympathisers" on the Hockey Association, have been greeted in some quarters with suspicion, even hostility. This has proved frustrating to say the least.

One of the social highlights for the Hockey Club will undoubtedly be the Annual Cabaret to be held in the Student Union Building on Saturday, 21 June.

The West German hockey coach Horst Wein, who was recently brought out to New Zealand for 6 weeks by the New Zealand Hockey Association and Rothmans, had some pertinent comments to make about hockey in New Zealand.

Mr Wein who played for West Germany for 8 years and coached the national team in 1966 and 1967 said that the standard of world hockey, Pakistan apart, had remained the same since about 1962.

"Surprise" tactics had begun to creep in only over the last three years and Pakistan was on top now because it was "thinking" more about the game.

Among reasons for New Zealand's relatively poor results in Mexico, were the interpretation of the left side tackle rule, and the fact that only three attacking forwards were used —"the other two were needed on defence".

Stereotype

With all the countries playing the same stereotype of hockey, the nation which adopted and applied something different, "Surprises", would run into a top ranking.

A change Horst Wein advocates is a 4-2-3 playing formation, with the 10th player being used as a defensive sweep.

West Germany applied this "surprise" to beat India, Pakistan and Australia—all 3 medal winners at Mexico in pre-games internationals.

New Zealand's problems he felt was not a lack of talented players, but rather a scarcity of talented coaches.