HOCKEY TOURISTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20023, 23 August 1939, Page 9

HOCKEY TOURISTS

TEAM FOR TOURNAMENT DEPARTURE TO-MORROW STRENGTHENED DEFENCE WELL-BALANCED SIDE By “Sticks" The Poverty Bay women's hockey team will leave Gisborne to-morrow morning for Blenheim, the conveyance departing from Roebuck road and taking on country members of the side at Makaraka, Muriwai and Wairoa.

Although the team is not the strongest that the association can produce, it is a well-balanced side, with the back line strengthened from the original selection. However, they are drawn in a strong section, in which there are no weak teams, unless the Marlborough A combination is that district’s second choice.

Apart from the Marlborough possibility, Feilding, who will be met on Saturday, seem to be the weakest side, although on Gisborne form last year they should be of fair strength, unless bad luck dogs them again. If going well, however, Poverty Bay should be equal to the task of winning the first game. These two teams drew last year. The Strongest Team Canterbury appear to be the strongest team in the section, and unless Poverty Bay show . a big improvement on last Saturday’s exhibition they cannot hope to beat the southerners, who had a convincing win of eight goals to nil when these two teams met last year. Although Ashburton won the Floyd Shield, the trophy for the runners-up, •at last year’s tournament, they were not then a strong side, and unless they have substantially improved since then Poverty Bay should be able to beat them. Their success last year was due to good fortune in being drawn in a weak seotioa and in their luck with the draw for the semi-final. Auckland, who will play Poverty Bay on the final day of section play, was among the three strongest teams in last year's tournament, and if they are up to the same strength this year they will probably be too hot for the Poverty Bay girls. However, if Poverty Bay develops form they should not find the opposition too formidable. Players should go prepared for a wet ground, and see that their sprigs are large enough to hold on yielding turf.

Carroll Shield Form

It appears as if Poverty Bay has good chances of winning three games, and victories in the other two should not be beyond them if they strike combination. In last Saturday's Lady Carroll Shield game they were somewhat of a disappointment, but there was ample evidence that the side contained talent enough to extend the strongest of the teams if they work well together, avoid unnecessary speculation, and make their movements in a quick and decisive manner. One of the highlights of the Lady Carroll Shield game was the display of Mrs. G. Single, the Wo iron goalkeeper, who saved her side several times. She showed particularly sound judgment in coming out of her goal when the occasion demanded, and four times in the second half she spoiled the shots of the Poverty Bay forwards, who were prevented from scoring during that spell. It is a pity that she was not available for the tour, for she would have been valuable in Blenheim. She may not have been better than the original selection, Mrs. Tupara, but at least she would have been an excellent substitute.

Miss B. Adsett. full-back, approved a likely sort, and particular l " in the second half was one of t v most severe stumbling blocks tho mme fo rivalling wo Poverty Bay girls. The two Wairoa players who were selec’ed to travel with the tournament team shaped well, though they were not outstanding. Miss L. Single, right half, frequently held up the attack along the Poverty Bay right flank, and sent the ball away well to her forwards, while Mrs. L. Edwards, inside left, kept position and combined effectively with the rest of the line.