LADIES' HOCKEY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 224, 16 May 1932, Page 7

LADIES' HOCKEY

SATURDAY'S RESULTS SPIRITED GAME PLAYED BETWEEN SHAMROCKS AND MOUREA TANIWHA AND ARAWA WIN . Interesting ladies' hockey matches were witnessed at the Government grounds on Saturday and in at least one game, .Mourea versus Shamrocks, the excitement of the team's followers was intense as counter attacks were made by each team into their oppoxxenf's territory with remarkable rapidity. * Although losing by a large margin, the showing of the Hinemoa team against Taniwha in their first match was praiseworthy, and the Arawa versus Maxnaku game was hard fought throughout. The position in the Robertson Cup competition after the third series of matches is as follows: Shamrocks 6 points; Taniwha, Arawa and Mourea four points each and Whippets, Mamaku and Hinemoa nil. Results at a Glance Shamrocks 2 goals, Mourea 0. Taniwha 6 goals, . Hinemoa 0. Arawa 4 goals, Mamaku 0. ! Mourea Improve In a fast game which at times aroused the spectators to a high pitch of excitement, Shamrocks defeated the newly formed Mourea team by two goals to nil. The match, particularly in the first half, was very evenly contested and Mourea perforrned exceedingly well against their more experienced opponents. Play of an even nature marked the early stages, Mourea making many spirited excursions into the green and white territory, but they were generally stopped either by the opposing backs, or for penalties for frequent off-side play. The Shamrock foi'wards, led by Mattie Mitchell and R. Ratema, also made frequexxt attacks, but the Mourea left fullback was playing a sound game and repeatedly cleared the danger. Shamrocks went very near to scoring from a melee which developed in the Mourea circle, but although R. Ratema netted, a bully was ordered for obstruction by both teams, and Mourea cleared. Resulting play was fast, with the scene of activities changing rapidly with R. Ipu showing up well for Mourea and at half time neither team had succeeded in penetrating their opponents' defenees. Shamrock, whose play in the first spell had been a little uncertain, settled down to their usual game after the resumption and pressed strongly, only good work by the Mourea backs keeping thexn out. Two penalty corners were coneeded by Mourea in succession and from the second of these the ball was hit to T. Mitchell, who netted with a stinging shot which gave the goalie no chance. Mourea made a valiant attexnpt to make up the leeway from the bully off, but the ball was taken too far without centreing and a good chance was lost. Shamrocks were now gradually getting the better of the game and made more attacks into the opposing twenty-five, but offside tactics on most occasions stopped their advance. A good movement on the right wing, however, penetrated the Mourea defence and a penalty corner was conceded from which Shamrock secured their second goal, from a crisp shot by Mattie Mitchell. Up and down play followed, both sides having an equal share of bright play and giving their opposing defenders many anxious moxnents. Although Mourea strove hard to open their account their efforts were unavailing and a bright game ended in Shamrock's favour by two goals to nil. Mr. C. J. Casey refereed. Mamaku Beaten Very little of outstanding interest resulted from the match between Arawa and Mamaku, which the former team won by four goals to nil. Arawa attacked from the start and hemmed their opponents in their own territory for soxne time until a sudden breakaway down the right wing nearly resulted in a score for the " country team, the ball going behind. I Maxnaku came back again froxn the ! bully and following up fast, the Ma- I maku inside left netted from a re- !* bound off the stick of R. Martin, but | the goal was not allowed and a bully at the twenty-five ordered. Arawa now took a turn in attack

and although on most occasxons the forwards laclced combination, R. Kingi eventually secured in the circle and scored. A further score was registered by Arawa before half time and Mrs. Jones, the Mamaku goalie made some good saves from other determined Arawa attacks. Mamaku had many chances but through the failure of the forwards to keep up with the play these were lost and Arawa were two goals ahead when the whistle for the interval was blowix. Play of a similar nature marked the second spell, Arawa having most of the advantage in play and increasing their total by two more goals, Had the Arawa forwards and halves displayed a semblance of combination the score would have been considerably higher, despite good defensive play by the Mamaku backs. Mamaku were again at fault in the forward line, particularly the wing | players, who were standing too far back, or were found out of position . altogether. : The result of the match was Arawa j four goals, Mamaku nil. 'Mi\ Carr was the referee. Taniwha Score Well Making their debut in Rotorua hockey, the new Hinemoa team were defeated by Taniwha by six goals to nil in a game which was inclined to be patchy throughout. The better condition and cleaner stickwork of ! the Taniwha team told on Hinemoa, f who, however, made play very even in the first half and allowed their opponents to score only once up to . the end o"f that time. Taiti Wharekura was the scorer and playing at the top of her form, she had the opposing backs properly "boxed'^ pp oxi many occasions. Fine combination was shown between herself and Therisa, but many openings made by these two were spoilt by offside play by the left wing. Attack ppon attack was staged by Hinemoa after the opening of the second spell and until half way through the spell the play was defin- I

!___ itely in Hinemoa's favour, but lack of combination and experience when near the goal nullified their forwards' effoxffs. Mary Morrison, at fullback for Taniwha was showing great form in defence and presented solid opposition when meeting an attack. The pace now began to tell on the Hinemoa team and Taniwha gaining the ascendency, excellent play between T. Wharekura and Therisa resulted in the total mounting rapidly. The Taniwha forwards assailed the Hinemoa goal incessantly and the goalie made some good saves, but 'had no chance of stopping five further goals, three of which came off the stick of T. Wharekura, the balance being credited to Therisa. Although outclassed, the Hinemoa team made determined efforts to avoid further assault on their goal and held Taniwha at bay until the final whistle closed the game. Taniwha six, Hinemoa nil. Mr. A. C. Watts controlled the game.