WOMEN’S Hockey

Evening Star, Issue 23681, 14 September 1940, Page 7 (Supplement)

WOMEN’S Hockey

Right Half-

To-day’s Games. This afternoon the A grade representatives were to meet South Otago, the B grade a second South Otago eleven, and the C grade was to travel to Seaclilf, under the management of Miss J{. Warburton, for a match with the local eleven. Milton Seven-a-side. With Id entries in the senior and 15 in the junior seven-a-side tournament. Milton last week staged one of its most successful competitions for many years. The weather was fine, and the grounds, except lor a little roughness, were in perfect order. Quite a number of town teams made the trip, and all had a most enjoyable time. In the senior competition Kings, Otago, and College put up some fine displays, and had Mumoiia and Dunedin some scoring forwards their record would have read better. Of the south teams Kaitangata, Clutha, Bruce, and Milton did well; they are used to that type of ground, and, for them, the going was good. The section winners. Kings and Milton, had played some hard games to reach the final, and it was a good game which saw Kings lake the honours by d goals to nil. in the junior competition. two sections also. College gave a first-class display to reach the final

against a strong Taieri side. This, too, was a .hard-fought game, and College thoroughly deserved its 2-0 victory. Altogether it was a good afternoon’s sport, and the proceeds of the tournament are to be given to the Air Force Queen. K. Cup Tourney. Canterbury fought out a hard final with Wellington. The latter won its section outright, but Canterbury had to play Auckland again to find the section winner. In a final which was strongly contested the shield holders got home by .‘!-2 .to retain their hold. Wellington took the Floyd Shield, and Auckland A played its 15 team for possession of the Holden Cup, a drawn game resulting. Representative Eleven. For to-day’s match against South Otago the local side underwent some changes. Miss K. Paterson retains her place as custodian. She was hardly tested at Invercargill and her ability is not questioned. Miss Geddes is replaced bv Mis Quaid, and A. Phillips hv M. Nicholson, The newcomers to the side have shown good form throughout the year, and they should thoroughly justify their inclusion. The half lino has been retained. It is sound in all departments, both on attack and defence, and should give the front lino plenty of chances. I). Kennedy is again the reserve half, and. being a good allrounder. should ably fill any vacancy which may occur. The selectors decided on a change in the forward lino. Misses Ryan. Cameron, Sheddan. and Flelt have given place to F.. Stinson, 11. Harley, .). Wallis, and 11, Cumber- 1

beach. G. Stewart is the only one of five who holds her position. The change cannot be due to results of the match with Southland. Those who saw the game in the south are convinced that the original line was first class, and the good tally of nine goals was the result of intelligent play and fine combination; it must be a recognition of the work of the newcomers throughout the season. All play with determination, and, even if they do not show the lino understanding of the Cameron, Sheddan, Flett combination, their individual play is so good and their knowledge of the game of sufficiently high standard as to cause the south backs many anxious moments. There is no reason why they should not give just as good a display and reach the same standard as those who made the team three weeks ago. E. Stinson has given some fine displays and has pace; she thoroughly deserves a chance to make good. H. Harley made the side last year in company with her sister Agnes, and, this season, is again worthy to hold the inside-left berth The new centre-forward, J. Wallis, was the reserve forward at Invercargill, and is a player of quality. Her distribution of the ball, ability in the circle, and general field work stamp her as a fine player, and she does not weaken the team in any way. 11. Cumberbeach is a player who has often reached the trials and been passed over. Her dash and all-round ability have been of gi eat assistance to Kings, and her inclusion is overdue. G. Stewart retains her place, and. though her game against Southland was not oustandiug. it was of sufficient class to hold her right-wing position. In Dunedin hockey at the present time good right-wings are hard to find. By good is meant out-

standing in all departments. Miss Stew, art is one of the few who sends in 41 really good centre. It would not be surprising to see the forwards keep South Otago busy all the time. Altogether, the side is another strong one. There is quality and experience iit every position; it is well balanced: there is dash and shooting ability; and the will to win. Notes. College is unfortunate in so far as it can hold its players for no more than two years. Of the senior eleven, nine go out this year, and, though the juniors are good, they, tooj pass on 10 the schools and cannot assist in building the senior eleven next season. Th* students have this year imparted much interest to our competition, and it' i« unfortunate that so many leave. They, have played fine hockey and though beaten by both Otago and Kings, have shown they can “ take it.” One good feature of their departure is that most of them will be taking up duties in the primary schools, and, keen as they are, should*help to improve the game ia that direction. Next year’s College team will be practically a new one. Nell Oliver, ex-Otago {now Wellington) representative, is reported to have shown fine form at full-back in the K Cup tourney. Her tackling was excellent, and she fed her forwards with judgment Her displays were sufficiently good for her to be classed as oiw of the best backs at the tournament.