HOCKEY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2272, 5 October 1914, Page 9

HOCKEY

N.Z. LADIES DEFEAT ENGLAND

9 GOALS TO 1. (By Telegraph-Prees Aissooiation.) Christchuroh, October 4. The weather was a triflo warm and tlio ground hard for the second test match between the English and New Zealand ladies' hockey teams', played on Lancaster Park on Saturday afternoon. Keen interest was taken in the match, the attendance being between five and six thousand. The match, though not so exciting as the first test, was nevertheless a brilliant exhibition of hockey. On the day's play New Zealand outclassed the visitors, but not to such an extent as the scores, three goals to one, indicates. The New Zealand girls all played magnificent hockey, their stick work comparing favourably with the neat and clever way the visitors played the ball. The New Zealand backs were especially good. > Misses Tinney (Wellington).- Eabbidgo (iftuthland), Swain (Hawke's Bay), and Arthur (Taranaki) were most prominent. The forward lino combined well, and there were several sensational rushes, which only the sterling defence of Misses Gatey, Luke, Smith, and Wetherall turned to nought. • The visitors' forwards many times broke away in fast rushes, but the home team's defence was too goo'd on many occasions, and when opportunity, presented for snooting at goal, New Zealand's custodian was ever on the alert, and turned the ball outsido the posts.

The opening play was characterised by fast, forward rushes by both.sides, but no advantage was gained. The fact of the player marking an opponent all the time was inclined te make the play somewhat dull for the spectators, but the hockey was so scientific that the onlookers wero gripped in watching for one side to gain an advantage, and when that camo tho excitement was intense. It was not until' half-way through tho first spell that the initial score was made. New' Zealand had been making desperate attempts, all of which were repulsed by England. It was from a corner that New Zealand drew first blood, Miss Kruse. with a well-timed shot shooting hard for the net. The English 'keeper stopped the ball with hor left hand, but it dropped into the net. A moment later the English forwards got into New Zealand's circle, as a result of a combined rush, and Miss Gaskell hit in hard, but Miss Arthur saved. Before she could clear, Miss Morgan rushed in, and scored. Honours wero even at half-time, which sounded with New Zealand on the attack.

On resuming, New Zealand showed a wonderful improvement, and play for a time was fast up and down the field. Miss Gaskell worked hard for a . score, but Miss Tinney cleverly upset tlie calculations, and gave her forwards a chanco to attack. They were repulsed, but they returned in tho best combined rush of the afternoon. Miss Tuke attempted to stem the rush, but Miss R. Malcolm eluded her, and shot a beautiful goal. England lost a golden opportunity to equalise the scores, the ball going across tho mouth of the goal and out, and another shot by Miss Gatey was well stopped by tho goalkeeper. Play now became faster and exciting. Both defences wero hard pressed m turn, but New Zealand were in tho ascendancy. Miss Pearco mado a great run down the field, penetrated tho defence, and shot. Miss Wothorall cleared, but the ball went to Miss Kruse, whoso return hit it was impossible to stop. New Zealand, 3;. England, 1. New Zealand continued to attack strongly, but Miss Wetherall _ was_ playing splendidly, and was anticipating shots so well that nothing could pass her. In the closing stages England made a more determined effort than the others had been, and Miss Morgan centred to Miss Leacroft, but the latter's shot was smothered, and tho New Zealanders were making for the attack when timo sounded. . Messrs. Walton and Manning controlled the game. Both teams left by tho night's ferry steamer on the way to Auckland for the third and final test ' next Saturday. England in the interval visit the Waitomo Caves and Rntorna, while the NewZealand girls will be practising hard, in an endeavour to win two out of the three tests.