LADIES AT HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1225, 6 September 1911, Page 6

LADIES AT HOCKEY.

1> THE THIRD DAY, Tin-: "shock tactics ,, of dtjlleu. ■ KKSULTS AT A GLANCE. Hawke's Bay ... G Manawatu B ... 1 Canterbury A... 3 Marlborough ... 1 Bullcr G Auckland 2 Nelson 3 Canterbury 8... 0 Southland 3 Wairarapa 1 Manawatu A ... 2 Wanganui 1 Wellington B ... 2 West Coast _ 1 The- weather soil, if such there be, must have a warm corner in his heart for lady hockey players for, contrary to general expectations, yesterday afternoon —the. third day of the. New Zealand ladies' hockey championship matches— turned out fine and bright. The number of those who journeyed across the harbour, however, was not large, Tn point or fact, it was loss than a hundred. Taking a line through the. day's sport it can only be said the general complexion of the games, with the exception of Hio iJiiUer-Aucklaiul encounter, was mediocre. As to the best match Bu!i?r, on the previous day. had drawn with Canterbury B—an admittedly weak eleven—but, yesterday tlh>y excelled themselves. Wlieri they obtained their first goal against Auckland they began lo play with rare dash and abandon. As one spectator, whose opinions count for something in the hockey realm, . remarked: "It's their shock tactics that are beating Auckland. Look at those Auckland girls—they are absolutely unnerved. Wait till Buller meets a team that will stand up to them." And, as one watched, it could plainly bo seen that this opinion was not far astray. The Red forwards would hurl themselves at the ball, and, if ono smothered an opponent's return, a couple of others would rush in, and carry off the little sphere, and thus paralyse the Auckland defence. It was indeed "shock tactics" that won the day. The Buller backs also played well, and ably supported the forwards. Buller supporters are fairly confident now of being one_ of tho participants in tho final. No special interest was taken in any of tho ether games. Wellington B, a rather hopeless combination, managed to win, but their opponents (West Coast) nro protesting against the decision. SECTION A. Hawke's Bay, G; Manawatu B, 1. Manawatu B suffered defeat at the hands of Hawke's Bay by fi goals lo 1. At first it appeared as if a fairly even game would result, but this aspect changed visibly as play went,- on. Shortly alter commencing, a free hit was awarded to Manawatn. It was returned by tho Hawke's Bay full-back to tho forwards, and a pretty passing bout ensued, the ball passing from one forward to another in capital style. It was at length secured by Miss I'itt, who goaled in dashing style. Manawatu then took up the attack, and wc.ro awarded, another- free-hit. Their left wing rushed the ball down, beat tho Hawke's Bay' full-back, and shot a gool. Just before time was called Hawke's Bay again scored. After harf-timo play was too one-sided to bo interesting: The Hawke's Bay team trounced their opponents in all departments, and it ultimately appeared as if they could score whenever they pleased. Misses Pitt (2) and Crowley (4) scored for tho winners, and Miss N. Bailey put on Manawatu's only goal. Mr. lieau was referee. Canterbury A, 3; Marlborough, 1. The Canterbury A v. Marlborough fixture resulted in a win for Canterbury by 3 gods to 1. The game , was not marked by special brilliance, Canterbury, having it all their own way, though at times Mnrlboroiigh seriously tested their defence. Misses Pearce, Curry, ami G. Morgan found tho net for Canterbury, while Miss Keid scored Jlarlborough's only goal. Mr. Bennett was in charge of tho game. SECTION B, Bullcr, C; Auckland, 2. This was easily tho best as well as tho most surprising match of the day. It was generally conceded that Auckland would win easily, but tho unexpected happened, and what was regarded as a foregone conclusion for Auckland turned out to bejcntirely the opposite. Buller outplayed them at every point. After the "bully oft'," even play reigned for a while. Then Duller began to attack, and, to tho surprise of everyone, notched tho first goal. Encouraged by the spectators, they shortly afterwards repeated the same performance. Then Auckland, realising the truth of that old adage—"Attack is ' tho best moans of defence"—assumed the aggressive, and their first goal was obtained through a magnificent bit of play. The centre-forward took the ball from halfway, beat the opposing full-backs, and shot tho prettiest goal of the day. This set-back apparently stimulated Buller, for, immediately after the "bully off," theit forwards Mvepl down tho field, and again scored. Auckland, undaunted, returned to tho onslaught, and some hard play took place within tho circle, but, by sheer good luck, Bullcr managed to clear. At half-timo ttio scores stood: Buller, 3; Auckland, 1. In the second half Auckland attacked for a time, but were gradually beaten back. Tho Bullet - forwards wcro now pl.v/ing splendidly together, and were well supported by their backs. They gave Auckland no chances, and, if they were temporarily repelled, they returned agaia with redoubled energy. AVhcn time was called Auckland were still defending. Tor Buller, Misses M'Kay (2), Greenland (2), Vitngiich, and A. Halo obtained goals, while, for Auckland, Misses Wylie and Kenny were the scorers. Mr. Tinney had charge of tho game. Nelson, 3j Canterbury B, 1. Nelson, had no easy task to defeat Canterbury B. Several times they had plenty of defensive work to do, and had it not been for the defective shooting of the Canterbury forwards in the circle, the game might have ended differently. In attack Nelson played with more combination. Their passing was clean and accurate, and their stick work was forcible. But tho Canterbury goalkeper and full-backs performed like the proverbial Trojans, and it must be said that it was through their efforts alone that their team was nol dei«itert by a biggei margin. Misses Simpson, Carrick, n.:id Harriis shot goals for Nelson. Mr. Organ was referee. SECTION C. Southland, 3; Wairarapa, 1. The Southlnnd-Wairarapa. match was not what might bo termed a brilliant exr/osition of the game of hockey. For (he hist quarter of an hour Wairarapa could not equal their opponents', n.ico, .but, as the fray progressed, Southland met a "steadier" team. Wlicu half-time was called, honours were easy, each side having a goal to its credit. From the "buH.y-off," which opened (ho second spell, Southland assumed the aggressive, and, as often as Wairarapa counter-attacked or beat them off, they came on again. Finally their persistence was awarded. Miss Marsh dribbled the ball down the field, and then sent it on to Miss Senroll. who shot a beautiful goal. Maintaining these tactics, Miss Senrell again found the not a few minutes afterwards. The Northerners then began to take n hand, and f-oine hot work was witnessed in front of the Southland goal. The defence was sound, however, and when time wn?> called Wairarapa were busily defending. Miss Gallon scored for Wairarapa. also obtained a gonl for Southland. Mr. Crump controlled I he game. Mnnnwahi A, 2; Wahgauui, 0. This match was played on No. :i gi-ouml, and resulted in ;\ win for Manawatu A by two goals to nil. The game was -\ct-v evenly contested, Manawalu having, if anything, a- slight- advantage in the'first spell, which ended in their favour by 1 goul lo nil. On tho renunplion of hostilities, Wansaliul bestirred themselves and gavo (lie Wairarapa backs plenty to do.' Try as they would, however, they could make no impression or find a loophole in their opponents' defence. The game then resolved it.'olf into one of the up-nnd-iiown-thr-lield vnriety, each side alternately nltacking and defending. Finally Wairarnpa again increased their lead. From tins on thero was no further incident of note, and the game closed as above. During the progrc.'-s of the play Miss Moore, a Manawatu player, w:\.s struck on tho head with the ball, and had to retire, her place being taken by aa emergency. Misses

Collingwood and Kerslake obtained goals for Jlanaivatu. Wellington B, 2; West Coast, 1. Wellington B at last "saved their facts" by winning a match. hi (heir two previous frames they bni! brtm defeated by big margins, but yesterday they just succeeded in bfaliiift West" Coast. This match was very patchy, and dcos not lend ilHelf to description, the players on both sides preferring individual effort to combination. There was m> apparent difference in the teams, nnd when the standard displayed by each is taken into consideration the result should have been a draw. It is understood Hint West Coast are protesting, ns they allege Ihat they scored a fair goal, which was disallowed by the referee. Misses Barnelt: and Bengo (■■cored for Wellington, and Miss Lindsay shot a goal for West Coast. Mr. Searoll had charge.