Hockey.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 290, 30 May 1929, Page 1

Hockey.

LADIES. Putaruru A 6, Matamata 0. Matamata entertained Putaruru on Saturday but could raise only eight players. The visitors were much the better side but were troubled by the long grass and the one-back game, which found them repeatedly offside. In the first half goals were scored for the visitors by Misses Benton and Craig. In the second half the Putaruru team settled down better and combated the one-aack game by relying . more on individual effort. Goals were scored in this half by Misses Daveran, Wheeler and Craig (2). That of Miss Wheeler was the result of a brilliant shot from a very narrow angle, while Miss Craig’s were both good efforts. Miss Hill, Miss Sutherland and Mrs. Hawes were outstanding for Matamata, the former being brilliant on defence, while Mrs. Hawes led the side well. For Putaruru, Miss Gallagher (back! and Misses Daveran, Craig and Wheeler in the forwards shone out. Score, Putaruru 6 goals, Matamata 0.

Comments. It was unfortunate that the Matamata ladies could not raise a lull team against. Putaruru on Saturday, ihe visitors are a clever combination but by no means unbeatable, and had the greens fielded a full side a close game might have resulted. The home team contains some clever young players, with the necessary livening of experience, and with coacning would mane a good showon Miss Sutherland they have a forward- who knows the quick route to the goal, while Miss Hill has a splendid eye on defence and is a powerful hitter. There are othei promising players but the members as a wnoie are much in need oi coaching. The side played the onb-back game well, and might have taken many more risks than it did, but here again lack of coaching failed ir. The visitors are a clever lot but on Saturday displayed a marked weakness in the hull-back line. Had the forwards been well supported by the halves several more goals must have accrued. Last season the halfback line was the strongest department of the team but on Saturday s form it was the weakest. Misses Benton and E. Rolfe were nothing like the dominating players they were last year.

In goal Mrs. Brown had nothing to do. Of the "backs Miss Gallagher stood out and hit with force, coolness and precision, while Mrs. A. Brown, her partner, played more of a halfback’s game. In the forwards the right wing was the stronger. Miss Daveran is a splendid dribbler but the long grass told against her style of play. .At inside right Miss Craig was an opportunist with a keen eye and was in the later stages perhaps the best of the line. Miss Wheelei as bully was far too clever for her opponents, while Miss Farrelly at outside left had to forage for herself owing to Miss Berg getting tangled up with the offside rule and the oneback game. With a few defects remedied the Putaruru team should be a certainty for the championship.