HOCKEY.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 143, 28 June 1901, Page 3

HOCKEY.

Tin; inclement state of the weather yes tenlay prevented our office boy from taking his usual trip into the country, so lie wended his way to Victoria Domain, whore an exciting game of hockey was in progress between the Gisborne Girls' Hockey Club and a quintette of young men. Viewing the odds, a casual observer would have considered that the eleven girls had a comparatively easy task before them to defeat their live male opponents, but the result of the game proved the contrary, the latter winning easily by four goals to one. The ladies’ club was represented by the following: Goal-keeper, M. I’aslcy ; three-quarter, K. Price; half, F. Caissons; wing-for-wards, F. Jiloonilield and F. MeCrcdic ; forwards, ,T. Heaney (Captain), D. Jones, F. Butt, li. Sampson, and W. Adair. The gentlemen’s team was composed of: Mowavth (Captain), L. Maude, E. Heaney, C. Buseke, and 11. Thompson. The play was not oi a high order, the inequality of the sides making it more a travesty on the game than a first-class display of hockey. Somo hard hitting was indulged in, although, fortunately, there wore no injuries of a serious nature on cithor side. From the outset it was plain to our representative that the young ladies were at a manifest disadvantage, for in their sprinting efforts they wore greatly hampered by their skirts, which, although admirably suited for the purpose of stopping the ball now and again, did not assist them when it came to running a hundred yards with an opponent. Appealing to our printer's devil, one charming young’player remarked: “Von *vtdentiy do not understand how difficult it is to play hockey in skirts. How woulu you liko to tqke tho field encumbered | with a heavy mackintosh ? If the j gentlemen played in skirts yep would see that five of our club would play any eleven men you could bring along." Our office boy had received an excellent home training, and having often heard his father say that it was unwise to argue with a woman, he deemed it wise to remain silent. The girls' team shaped exceedingly well, and showed considerable improvement over the play of a few weeks back. Misses Sampson and F. MeCrcdic were responsible for the ladies’ score, and both played well up to form. The team was captained by Miss Heaney, w ho \t as at her best, and hept the play.'i-. up to their work. Miss Brice, in the oaek division, succeeded in stopping several strong rushes, and generallv acquitted herself well. Miss V. Adair also played most consistently, and was responsible for some really first-class shots. Of the gentemcn, Howarth was the champion, and tnc two goals he obtained were the result of sterling play. li. Heaney also obtained two goals, and has a very pleasing style. . L* Maude proved very safe in the back division. and gave few opportunities to his opponents. The prevailing colors worn by the ladies were red and white, whilst the gentlemen were attired in orthodox hockev costume. It struck our youthful scribe* that the boys were perhaps a little too rough, and also played rather selfishly > but not bciug an expert at the game he did not venture an opinion on either head. On several occasions it nlso seemed that tho girls did not make any determined attempt to stop the hockey ball, but were content to ga/.c with admiring eyes at their opponent as he swept towards the goal. It seemed strange to our juniors that the girls could not find a game yyhiph they oquld keep cxclusively to themselves, for with the absence of the men there appeared to be a great deal in hockey to commend it as a winter pastime for voting ladies. Mr E. 0 Meara undertook the duties of referee, and gave the utmost salifaction to both sides. _ At the conclusion of the match the ladies gave three hearty cheers for tho men, the latter returning the compliment, and adding one more cheer for the captain of the ladies’ club. The annual contest between the ladies of the town and country will take place in about three weeks’ time.