LADIES' HOCKEY HAPPENINGS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 59, 31 October 1931, Page 4

LADIES' HOCKEY HAPPENINGS

"Sticks") .

(By

The local selector when asked to give his opinion on the standard of the game in Rotorua during the season just finished, and also a eriticism on the individual players selected to represent the town, gave "Sticks" the following by way of reply: "The standard of play in the local competition games has been well up to that of previous years and somewhat of an improvement on that of last season- The withdrawal of the Shamrock team took ■ quite a lot of interest out of the competition games as many of that club's players linked up with the already strong Taniwha club, and in consequence, this club fielded an exceptionally strong team right through the season, easily annexing the main trophy, the Wairua-a-Rangi Cup. The Arawa team (in spite of losing several of its best players put up some very fine performances. This was largely due to the very consistent form maintained by the team's star player, Miss G. Rogers. The Mamaku, Whippets and Ngongotaha teams played vastly improved hockey as compared with the previous season, and it will not be surprising to see any of these teams up amongst the leaders of next season. So far as the representative team is concerned, the sides selected have put up some meritorious performances, winning seven games, drawing three and losing only one. The only game in which Rotorua was beaten, was that played against Wellington at the New Zealand championship tourney at Auckland and then by only one goal to nil. Up to Provincial Standar-d From the results above it will be seen that the Rotorua team has played well up to provincial standard and this is particularly gratifying when it is realised that we have only seven club teams from which to select our representative side. With the possibility of the Whakatane and Rangitaiki sub-association's lirking up with the Rotorua Association there is every prospect that next season will be even more successful than that just closed as there are some particularly fine players among the teams playing under the associaticns mentioned. With regard to individual players who have this year represented Rotorua, the selector comments as follows : — Miss E. Mitchell: Rotorua's captain, an outstanding player of exceptional ability and skill, and a born leader. Plays very aggressive and determined hockey. Looked upon by capable critics as one of the most outstanding full-backs in New Zealand hockey to-day. Miss G. Rogers: An exceptionally fine scoring forward. Keeps her position well and always plays a heady game. Determined- A good scorer from penalty corners. Mrs. T. Wharekura: Undoubtedly the finest forward we have. An excellent scorer who makes the most of every opportunity- A player who keeps particularly fit, is fast, unselfish, and probably one of the best centre-forwards in the Dominion todfy. Miss L. Gray: An other forward of exceptional ability, clever with her sticlc, very fast, and a good opportunist in front of goal. This player is well versed in the short passing style of game and endeavours to open up play in this manner at every opportunity. Had Mrs. Wharekura and Miss Gray been able to take their places in the Rotorua team at Auckland, there is little doubt that Rotorua would at least have reached the finals. Hard-hitting and Clever Miss L. Tanner: A solid type of hard-hitting fullback; is clever with her sticlc; recovers very smartly and in every way a particularly reliable player. Can also play in the forward line when required. Miss T. Mitchell: A fine type of bi''stUng half-back; heady and relirble. If Miss Mitchell would endeavour to vary her passes to both right and left instead almost invariably to the left and also endeavour to get out of the habit of hitting past her forwards when approaching the circle, she would make an outstanding centre half. Her backing up of the forwards is excellent but she is inclined to forget to hurry back to assist the full-backs when they are hard pressed. M. Black and M. Ratema: Two really good foi'wards of the "solo" type- Both need to remember that combined effort will always outshine individualism, and also that keeping their respective positions will result in many more goals to their team. flies Pattle and R. Ratema: Two players more or less in the veterans' ranks who, nevertheless, are consistently rehable. Miss Jean Tanner (goal) : This player has the makings of an outstanding "goalie." She is fearless, alert, has a good eye and a keen sense of anticipation. Is inclined to be over-eager, and, occasionally careless as a goalkeeper- Miss Tanner has possibilities of a brilliant hoclcoy career ahead of her, being still in her teens. Promising Half-t»ack Miss J. Chaytor : This young player is no doubt the most promising halfbaclc that Rotorua has had for, several years. She plays a very aggressive game; is keen and has excellent stick and wrist control. Miss Chaytor also has a brilliant hocjcey career ahead of her. Other players that have been given a trial in the representative team, R. Steele, O. Benton, S. Naera, and M. Mitchell have shown definite improvement in their play. The last named is inclined to be nervous and will not show further improvement until such time as she "gets into it" from start to finish of each game in which she plays. Rotorua representative teams, taken generally, are inclined to rest on their laurels when in a leading position, and usually this has a detrimental effect on the results of many of their games. One game in particular this season was lost in this manner. Another fault is that the younger players place too much reliance in the more experienced players and consequently lack confidence in their own ability. However, this season's tournament team proved that the standard of play locally is well up to the standard in many of the large towns and ahead of that in many others.