HOCKEY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 55, 18 July 1947, Page 5

HOCKEY

WAIRAKA CLUB TEAMS FOR SATURDAY The following are the teams to represent Wairaka on Saturday. Bus leaves Wairaka at 11.15 a.m. sharp: Ladies: P. Francis, H. Rangihika, M. Ross, M. Biddle, M. Ngatai, M. Tuhoro, M. Keepa, B. Riini, L. Jaram, J. Irimako, P. Kelly. Reserves: C. Thrupp, M. Merito. Men’s B Team: W. Biddle, M. Crapp, R. Merito, J. Karepe, L. Stewart, K. Merito, B. Amaroa, J. Lafferty, J. Hudson, B. Hudson, M. Merito. Reserves: G. Merito, R. Dodd.

REP. HOCKEY OPOTIKI v WHAKATANE FAST LADIES’ GAME Some fast and clever hockey was witnessed last weekend in the games for the Kusabs Shield and the Aard Cup.

In the ladies contest for the Aard Cup the game opened up fast and furious with both sides making repeated attacks, and with some brilliant saving by both sets of fullbacks. Mrs Rennett, the Opotiki fullback, saved her team repeatedly but a determined attack by Whakatane saw Mrs Cannell slam one past the goalie for the first score of the game. Whakatane 1, Opo.tiki 0, From the bully off Opotiki tried to even the score with Mrs White getting her forwards away to a good attack, but chances of scoring were spoiled by unfinished movements and non-co-operation of the forwards. Halftime came with the score still at one nil in Whakatane’s favour. **■ At the recommencement of the game after halftime play moved swiftly and eight minutes after the start Mrs Cannell p,ut one in the net to make the score 2—o.

From the bully Opotiki attacked and went through to the circle where McLaughlin notched ■ one for Opotiki making it 2—l in Whakatane’s favour.

• The visiting forwards seemed now to combine and in the ruck in the circle McLaughlin sent in a winner to make the score 2—2.

From the new bully Whakatane attacked and the ball centred from the wing M. Kelly, who notched one making the score Whakatane 3, Opotiki 2.

With only a few minutes to'go play was vigorous with Opotiki being pressed, but a .long clearing shot, by Mrs Rennett set the Opotiki forwards in motion and Miss King the Whakatane fullback though suffering from a ricked ankle made a clearing shot, which was picked up by Mrs White. She fed her inside forwards and McLaughlin netted with the score 3—3. Five minutes later the whistle went for time with the crowd on its toes. •

- Outstanding players for Opotiki, were Mrs Rennett, Mrs White and Miss McLaughlin. Whakatane ladies hold the cup. - THE MEN’S GAME DECISIVE LOCAL WIN The play opened swiftly with the pace being set by the visitors. Attack and defence by both sides was sound. Whakatane seemed to have better positional play which proved itself 15 minutes after? the start, when Kingi the winger notched Whakatane’s first, goal.

From the bully the play progressed back and forward when the Whakatane forwards took possession and from a hard centre on the right wing Rigden checked and finished a nice goal. Whakatane 2, Opotiki 0.

Opotiki kept pressing and was unlucky not to score but offside play by Pereniki spoiled good opportunities. Play moved back and forward until from a ruck on the right wing the ball flew through to Dodunski on the left who made no mistake in clamming it home for 3—o.

At the commencement of ( the second half it was clear that the local team was on top. Superior positional play and sound defence of Waller often set the forwards in an overwhelming attack, and from these Stoddart, Civil and Rigden all. scored making the points, Whakatane 6, Opotiki 0. From a further series of attacks by Whakatane Learning notched two quick goals the score going to,

Whakatane 8, Opotiki 0. From the loose Rigden notched' stil another in taking the score to, Whakatane 9, Opotiki 0. With only a few minutes to. go an attack by Opotiki finally bore fruit with Pereniki notching one for the -Visitors, and the score going to, Whakatane 9, Opotiki 1. / ' , The game closed with both sides tiring, but with Whakatane still pressing; - , ( Players who deserve mention are Rigden, Waller and Dodunski. For Opotiki J. Mahaere, D. Burton and C. Webb. '