HOCKEY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1272, 16 July 1914, Page 2

HOCKEY.

The competition for the Gillespie Cup was continued yesterday. Awahou met Motuiti on the Schoolground and easily asserted their superiority. The game, although not a very exciting one, was watched with great interest by a large crowd of spectators. From the bully-off the reds took charge and Motuiti were seldom dangerous. Still they have improved wonderfully since last Wednesday, their defence in particular being very sound. After play had been in progress about ten minutes, Miss Daniel scored a neat, though somewhat lucky goal for Awahou. This was the only goal in the half as the Motuiti girls, exhorted by a large number of leather-lunged barrackers, battled with desperation and goodwill, but with very little science. Their goalkeeper played remarkably well. In the second half the Awahous set out to put the issue beyond doubt. For a long time, however, they were unable to break through the defence, one of the Moutiti back’s facility in “finding the line” on every occasion, spoiling many a good forward rush. At last Miss H. Cook netted the ball. Miss McSaveney following suit a few minutes later. Just on time Miss H. Cook scored again with the best shot of the match. Awahou, 4 ; Motuiti, nil. Mr Burgess refereed.

After a very closej and even game School managed to snatch victory from the Tuis on the racecourse. This ground is in a very bad condition, the amount of grass on it making the play very dead and slow. Tuis made things very willing from the start and through the agency of Miss Bryant drew first blood. Gladys McSaveuey equalised for School, the spell ending without further score. In the second spell Miss E. King again put Tuis in the lead with a shot from a scramble. The heavy ground now began to tell on the older girls, and School scored twice, Hine Spring and Eileen Cummer field being successful in finding the net. The game ended soon afterwards with the score —School, 3 ; Tuis, 2. Mr Cook refereed.

Awahou and School are now leading in the competition with four points each. These two teams meet next Wednesday and a very keen struggle is expected. The match was originally drawn to take place on the schoolground but the Awahous have objected as the ground is 90yds. and not the regulation 100yds. in length. Apart from this defect the ground is easily the truest within 50 miles. Still the ladies will not play on it. Evidently a well trained team has too much scope for scientific combination on a level ground.

On Perreau’s paddock the B.’s found the A.’s a little tougher proposition than they expected. Individually there is little difference between the teams, but the A.’s have far more combination. The weakness of the A.’s still lies in the backs, and had the B.’s any knowledge of combined play they would have scored on several occasions. Goals were scored for the A.’s by Bryant (2) and Negus (1). Messrs Gabites and Woods controlled the game to the satisfaction of both sides.

A match, Foxton v. Motuiti, has been arranged to take place on Mr Perreau’s ground, on Saturday at 3 p.m. Foxton. —Bryant (2), Cook, Robinson (2), O’Brien, Bullard, McEwen, Tullett, Woodroofe and Daniel. *

Motuiti. Napp, Matthew, Watson, Reuben, Friar, Haeana, Hatercne (2), Kauri, Moses and Paroa.