THE LADIES' HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1545, 14 September 1912, Page 6

THE LADIES' HOCKEY.

AT CHRISTCHURCH. . HAWKE'S BAY TEAM FAE AHEAD, Poverty Bay ... 1 Otago 0 Wairarapa ...... 2 Canterbury B. ... 0 Nelson 8 Taranaki 1 Canterbury A ... 3 Wellington 0 Hawke's Bay ... 5 West Coast 0 Auckland 4 Bullor 0 Byes.-A Section-Manawatu.B Section —Wariganui. '....'.■ (By Telegraph.—Press Association,) Christchurch, September 13. Tho New Zealand ladies' hockey tournament was continued this afternoon at Sydenham Park in fine weather, and there was again a good attendance of spectators. Canterbury A were rather lucky in beating AA'ellington. Had it not been for their centre-forwards, tho Canterbury team would never have scored. Their halves, in tho first spell, would not keep up to support the front liuo when tho attacks were in progress, but they improved in tho second spell. Among the forwards, Miss M. Pearco and Miss Kruso did most of tho useful work, while Miss D. Poarco was consistent and sure. In back ploy AA'ellington played a good open game, but could not press homo the openings made. Miss Lang, on the left wing, played brilliantly for her side. She got in some splendid runs, and centred smartly, but nothing further happened in tho circle. Wairarapa defeated Canterbury B by two goals to nil, but tho .victors hod to work hard for what they got. Canterbury really had no forward line, their tJireo best forwards being injured in the earlier games. One had to play gonl to- ■ day, notwithstanding an'injured .fo6t, for tho reason that there were no othor onier.gencies to put in. The^ emergency, worked'well, however, in her'new position, and •time and again cleared the line when danger threatened. AVairarapa were much the faster team, and their passiug and tackling were excellent. AVhere they were weak was in shooting, and they really'should have scored more goals than they did. • • - ■ Tho opening of the Auckland-Buller match was one of tho most tedious in tho whole tournament. Neither.side appeared to put the slightest amount of energy into the business in linud, and neither seerrted to caro as to the quality of lbs \ hockey played. If a choice could be token, Auckland seemed to be the least deserving. It was half-way to half-time before they decided that the game was not merely , a little unnecessary practice, but,' from' then on, proceedings livened. The apparent slow- ■ ness was probably due to. the fact that tho merits of the teams were about equal. Bullcr's defence has always been sound, and, against Auckland, the players, in their poor.form, found it hard to prevail. ' That things went as they did can imly.be explained by the assumption that the Auckland players were saving themselves, or that to-day's team (in consequence of a few changes mode) was much worse than that put in earlier in the week , The Nolson-Toranaki match .was a bright and willing "go" . from start tu , . finish, / despite tho inequality suggested by the score of eight to one. Nelson had to rely much upon Miss AVhitwellj and, to-day, she was suffering from influenza. In consequence of this, Nelson.wero riot-at their best. Taranaki are an amazingly game combination, playing fair hockey always, and sound iu defence. At, the end of. the play, with things all' against them, they were shaping as confidently, and as cheerfully, as they were in the beginning. . The match between AA'c'st Const and Hawke's Bay could not be styled an in- ; foresting one—Hawke's' Bay was too much ' in the ascendent to get up any interest in 'the game. AA T o?f Coast's play was characterised by an absence of "go." Tho play throughout (and particularly towards , the end) was distinctly leisurely. Corner hits, etc., were the order of the day. There was a decided absence of following up en tho part of tho West Coast, players, and Hawko's Bay scored 5 goals io AA'est Coast's.- nil,; the- scores- being mado, by;. Misses Thompson-' mid" Crofrley?' :: ' -'"

Thp contest between Poverty Bay am) Otago.was an exciting one all akm(j,"Bay" winning by one. goal to nil. Otago nudo a numlipr of nuiek and brilliant, rushes but Poverty Bay, owing largely to (he excellent stopping done by their backs, and also by their goalkeeper, defeated them time and time attain. Tho sides " were well matched, and attack and tlcfenco succeeded each other ranidly. Mifs'" Mov Fairlie netted a goal for Pevoi'ty Bay. ■ lhe chnimpionship points to date are:—A •, fection: Wairarapa, 10; Poverty Bay, S: ■ Canterbury B, S; Nelsorfi 5; OfciQO, 4; ■ -Manawatu. 3j Taranak 1 , 1. '■ B Section: Haivko's Bay, 10; Wauicanm, 7; Canter- • bury A, 7; Auckland, 7; Wellington, 5.' West Coast, 0; Buller, 0. .