NOTES ON THE PLAY.

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

NOTES ON THE PLAY.

(By Telezraoh.—Snecinl OorrcEsondcnt.) Christchurch, September 18. Some rain fell during the night, but il had little effect, on the ground, and Sydenham Park was in fine order. A pleasant variation to otherwise dull dockey was the match between the exchampions, Nelson and Taranaki. The latter were fast, not bad players, nnd intensely in earnest. During tho first , spell they had a fair share of the honours, nnd-, during the second (though the score mounted quickly against them), they made many brave attempts to get back on '.the opposition. .The score of 8 to 1 suggests a match of negligible interest, but it was far from that. Wiih their pluck and speed Taranaki should bo able presently to worry teams who aro much abovo tliem in this year's tournament, For example, ou tho day's game, they would have beaten Auckland, and stretched Otago. Wellington could not repeat its success of yesterday. Though" Christchurch A has been reckoned a team of less importance than others it has beaten the Yellow players. Wellington opened the attack, but it was forced back upon them, and rested a s>pnco within their twenty-five. The return, however, was speedy, and Canterbury were forced to concede a corner. After n return, the Wellington players' settled'down to hard hitting, nnd rather long passing, which took them to tho circle. Canterbury then had a. share in things, but Miss'Lang got going, and Canterbury again gave a corner. Play now hung about the- Canterbury circle, until Miss Pearce made a great run winch ended in. a. shot that failed, targety owing to.Miss Lang's centring, Welling, ton got back to where they could do most, but Miss D. Penrce cleared again. From some lino play, Miss Lang centred, but here.some player failed to take tho chance, and it passed. Canterbury'then swept down tho field, but were driven back. They returned agnin, however, nnd had a corner against them. From give-and-tako play, Canterbury had another unsnccovJ'ul shot. The fhristehun-h. ladies were still attacking when Miss K. Harris—one of Wellington's most useful players—had to retire through injury, Miss Hicks replacing her. .(Wellington were on the altark when hnlf-time wns called. On. resuming. Canterbury attacked, but good work by the opposing forwards frmtrnted the effort. The attackers persisted, however,-and drew first blood, the score being by Miss M. Fearc?, Christchurch onc-o more■ bestirred themselves, nnd scored again. The bes-t pnrt nf thn Wellington teaui—(he right section of the forwards—now made a'formidable effort, and taking tho ball-right down, cnino closoto scoring. Canterbury rushed play ..back, and had another fruitless shot. Jli'3 Lang was now prominent in an attack on. (he ChrUtohurch circle, l:\it the return of one of these made another score for the home tsniu. Wellington still tried hard to get on terms, but the Christ church backs were too good, and piny ended-with Wellington's (ally still at nil. Tho-result, cf tbe Wairarnpa-UntOThurr B gnmowas not a surpri;.". The "IV s'■ have had n bid run ot lurk, have u«.»tlall their emergencies, nnd, to-day, wer« playing their lest, forward (Miss' Reunin) in goal, with an ankle sprained. At Uwir best, they were not a fast (earn, though' they played genuine hockey of the,sort that deserves to be prai??d -whether it wins or loses. To-day they met.a team of light, speedy girls, who had good combination, and were cnpabln of running rings'round them from a speed point of view. Also they could lay on the wood, in a way disconcorting to a comparatively slow player, who kue-.v that a fast one was following up her shot,