HOCKEY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1288, 25 August 1914, Page 3

HOCKEY.

TO-MORROW’S FIXTURES, Mens. Foxton A, v. Shannon, at Shannon ; Foxton B. v. Levin 8., at Levin. Ladies. Tuiv. Wharangi, 2 p.tu. ; Awahou v. School, 3.15 p.m. Both the ladies matches are to be played on the racecourse. Awahou are two points behind School and if they win to-morrow the two teams will have to play off next Wednesday. The following team will represent Foxton A.—-O’Brien, Ingram, Burgess, Tullett, Cook, Read, MeMurray, Baughen, Bryant, Woodroofe, Matthew. Foxton B’s.—Reiv' - ', Watson, Furrie, Robinson Hamer, Bryant, Daniel, Bullard, Ashmore, Hazlet t. On Saturday last the local school girls, accompanied by Misses MeHardie and Price and Messrs Burgess aud Parlane, visited Palmerston to try conclusions with the Feilding District High School on the hockey field. It was their first match abroad and naturally they looked forward to the game with great interest. The fact that the full team and several emergencies made the trip shows the interest the parents, as well as the children, take in the game, and the action of their parents in making sacrifices so that their children may uphold the honour of the school is much appreciated by the teachers. As the train arrives in Palmerston at 10.30 a.m. and the match did not commence till 3.15 the local girls had a rather wearisome wait. The match was to be played on the high school ground so Mr Vernon kindly placed the girls lunch room at the disposal of the visitors, and a somewhat novel alfresco lunch was partaken of there. After lunch the girls indulged in a little practice and in various ways endeavoured to fill in the time till the arrival of the Feilding girls. Time passed very slowly however, and everyone was heartily pleased when at last a scout well down the road joyfully announced “Here they come !” The northern girls, who looked very neat in their red and white uniforms, had barely two hours between trains so an immediate start was made. Both teams were very evenly matched in size, but Feilding had the advantage in age. From the sound ot the whistle Foxton attacked and, their little bit of practice having enabled them to “get the hang of the ground,” pinned the Feilding girls in their own 25. A very sure set of backs however, prevented any scoring, several good shots being well stopped. Time aud again the blue forwards found themselves in the circle only to find when they got there that the ball had been driven up the field. The local halves were playing a rattling good game, all the Feilding attacks being stopped before they reached half way. At last Stella Barber managed to beat the goal keeper and Foxton were one to the good. Aroused by this the reds began to make things lively and the opposing backs had their work cut out to prevent them from scoring. Eva Thompson and Felcia Owen were quite equal to the occasion however, defending in fine style until their own forwards again obtained possession of the ball and re-attacked their opponents stronghold. Against the blues sudden onslaughter the defence broke down and alter a fine piece ot combined work Gladys McSaveny put Foxton two in the lead. Both sides were now playing with great dash, but there was no further score before half time. On resuming Feilding made the pace a cracker. They easily outclassed their opponents in individual play, their stick work and stopping being particularly fine, but they trusted too much to individual play. Still they kept Foxton pinned down in their halt and by a good piece of play at length opened their scoring account. Encouraged by this they put still more vim into their play, while the blues seemed too weary to offer any resistance. Finding the defence weak the reds again broke through and equalised the score. With the prospect of having victory snatched from them the blues woke up again and a great tussle ensued, both teams striving their utmost to score the winning goal, but until five minutes before time there was no further score, although both sides had some narrow escapes. The pace was too fast for the northern girls how* ever, and in the last few minutes Foxton scored two more goals, the scorers being, Eileen Cummerfield and Amy Powell. The game ended shortly afterwards with Foxton victorious by 4 —2. After the match the local girls had tea in town aud the long wait before the train left was filled in pleasantly in the beautiful square gardens, but all were glad when they at last found themselves homeward bound, wearied but victorious. From the teachers’ point of view the outing was decidedly a pleasurable one, due to the beautiful weather and a victorious game but mostly to the splendid conduct of the girls whose behaviour was a credit to any town. The girls themselves, despite the long waits, bad an enjoyable time and are looking forward to the next trip.