HOCKEY.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 241, 14 June 1928, Page 8

HOCKEY.

Putaruru v. Marnaku. The recently-formed Putaruru Ladies’ Hockey Club entertained Mamaku ladies on Monday, when a most enjoyable game, played in perfect weather .conditions, ended in a win for the visitors by six goals to nil. The home side were weakened by the absence of six of their best players, who were engaged in the Hamilton tournament, and the teams lined up as follows: Putaruru. Goal, Miss Miller; backs, Miss Gallagher and Mrs. Brown; halves, Misses W. Wheeler, N. Sneddon, M. Iremonger; forwards, Misses F. Lopdell, O. Benton, E. Berg, E. Wheeler, M. Semple. Marnaku.—Goal, Miss Kilgour; hacks, Mesdames Robinson and Reid; halves, Misses Sutherland, Stehr and Scott; forwards, Misses Brennan, Pattle, Broad, Bishop and Beckett. Umpire: Mr. Reed. ,

The first half saw Marnaku playing up to great advantage. The home team, only one of whom had ever played in a match before, lacking confidence, and being non-plussed when penalised. Most of the .visiting attacks came through Miss Bishop at inside right, and Misses Pattle and Brennan on the left. So strong were -the efforts of these players that the home team were defendirig for most

of the spell. Spasmodic attacks for Putaruru by Misses Berg and Semple were easily repelled by Mesdames Reed and Robinson, largely because Hie two forwards named did not receive any support in their efforts. In the first twenty minutes Marnaku notched four goals, and added one more before half-time, the scorers being: Misses Bishop (2), Pattle (2) and Brennan.

In the second half the home team did much better and from the bullyoff Misses Lopdell and Berg attacked on the left, but there was no one up when the ball was centred, and Mrs. Reed cleared with ease. Miss Bisnop attacked several times, after doing her own foraging, but when dangerous found Mrs. Brown and Miss Gallagher defending stoutiy. By means of long hits by Miss Gallagher, and sound all round play by Miss Sneddon, Putaruru set up several attacks mainly through Misses Semple, Berg and Benton, but all fizzled out through lack of penetrative power when near the circle, none of the inside forwards going on to harass the backs.

Despite good work by Misses Bishop, Brennan and Stehr, the home team more than held their own in midfield play, but were almost Innocuous when the circle was reached.

From a quick raid started by Miss Brenrian on the left and carried on by Miss Bishop in centre field, a melee occurred in the circle from which Miss Stehr added the final and only goal in the second half. Score: Mamaku 6, Putaruru 0.

Hamilton Tournament. The Putaruru team which competed in the six-a-side tournament at Hamilton played five matches, and though they failed to score a win put up a splendid fight in several games, and were largely beaten through inexperience and lack of hitting power in the circle. Very few penalties were given against the team, and the umpire specially complimented the side: on their sporting play, and their exhibition in 'their first tournament. The team was as follows: Goal, Mrs. Anderson; back, Miss Sayers; half, Miss Dunstan; forwards, Misses E. Rolfe, R. Martin, M. Rolfe. The teams met, and scores, were as follows:—Ngaruawaliia, lost 2—o; Ngahinepouri, lost 2—o; Te Kuiti, lost, 2—o; Hamilton Old Girls, lost 4—o; Otorohanga, lost 2—o. Hamilton Old Girls won the competition v.-ith Otorohanga as runnersup.

Notes and Comments. ' For a new, team, composed mostly of inexperienced and young players, the results of play at Hamilton and Putaruru are quite satisfactory, even, though the defeats were so decisive. Without a doubt much has been learned from these games, and the next time .out much of the experience gained should be put into practice. The Marnaku side, though containing a large percentage of young players, has in Miss Bishop an exceptionally fine player, while Misses Brennan and. Pattle on the left wing also shone out, the former in particular proving a great dribbler. As the team have been practising steadily for the past two months their combination was better than that of the home team.

p’or Putaruru, the work of the two fullbacks was very good once they settled down. Both generally cleared to the wings, and supported one another well. Miss Gallagher proved a hard hitter, while in close play Mrs. Brown was the best back on the field. Her hitting, however, is as yet weak. The local halfback line proved somewhat weak, though all tried hard. Miss Sneddon proved a tireless worker, and with experience will make good as her work showed promise. Miss Iremonger started weakly, but finished in "great style, while Miss Wheeler spoiled her work by roaming over the field. The line as a whole failed to follow their forwards on attack, and render them support .when most needed. The forwards, of whom much was expected, were disappointing as a line. Individually all did well on occasion, the chief raiders being Misses Semple and Berg, who at times put in some . very fine stick work. Miss Benton gave promise of remedying a big weakness in the local team, as she Is a hard player who puts plenty of power behind her strokes. Once she conquers her failing in regard to “ sticks ” —l3 penalties were given against her—she should make good. Miss Lopdell got few chances owing to her partner lying so far back, but nevertheless made some good runs. The Misses Wheeler proved good taeklers, but being too far back with the result that the forward line became disjointed, and extra work was thrown on the others. Playing for the first time in goal—one of the hardest positions in the field to fill—Miss Miller stopped some good Shots, and in view of the fact that it was her

first time in the position did well. The team as a whole showed great promise, and for the next game there is going to be very keen competition for several places. Efforts are being made to form a local competition, and it is expected that an announcement to this end will be made this week.