Luck Against Horowhenua Women At N.Z. Hockey Tournament

Chronicle (Levin), 15 September 1949, Page 7

Luck Against Horowhenua Women At N.Z. Hockey Tournament

Les M. Murphy)

(By

The standard of hockey exhibited at the recent New Zear land women's tournament in Wairarapa was of an exceptionally high order, particularly so among the finalists in the K Cup. Although beaten for the right to enter the semi-lnal of the minor section by South Canterbury, the Horowhenua team gave a very good account of itself in its section play; but for a good slice of bad luck it might have reached the final.

The • team's performances and good conduct on and off the field at the tournament was a credit not oniy to the Horowhenua district but to the players themseives. For a district in which women's hockey has only recently been revived, and with a limited number of players to call on, I unhesitatingly say Horowhenua's spiendid efforts at the tourney, against more solid and experi-' . enced opposition, far exceeded my expectation. I was more than pleased with the team's good showings. To the members of the j team, the manager, Mrs. E. Debreceny, aird— chaperon, Mrs. L. Seal, I say, "well done," and may better fortune be met at future tournaments in which the district is represented. It is my confident opinion that Horowhenua would have fared much better against the enterprising young Wairarapa team in the final than South Canterbury, who were outelassed. It was difficult to understand Horowhenua in section C final against South Canterbury. The team did not seem to play the same bright, vigorous hockey as was the case against Bush and 'Southland. Unusual of Horowhenua, the teafn took a long time to settle down to real business and it was during this period that South Canterbury

snapped up the opportunity to gain the three , goals scored. However, once the Horowhenua team got into its true stride it ran all over South Canterbury and it was oniy ihe brilliant goalkeeping of Miss E. Ryde that save'd the southerners from defeat. No doubt had the Horowhenua players jumped into their stride from the initial whistle I am confident -the team would have at least reached the final. It would be unfair to make special mention of any particular member of the team, as the side as a whole played good hockey at the tournament and worked hard in their endeavour to bring honour to Horowhenua. The team's hockey in general improved as the tournament progressed. Should it be deeided to compete at next year's tournament, which will be in 'the South Island, probably at Nelson, and the same personnel is availabto, the experience gained this year will be a good advantage to Horowhenua. To Play Wellington Maoris. The hockey season in both Horowhenua and Wellington will be brought to a close on Saturday, when .a Wellington representative women's Maori team will play Horowhenua Maoris at Otaki. Both teams will comprise several tournameht players.