LADIES' HOCKEY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 531, 15 May 1933, Page 6

LADIES' HOCKEY

interesting games SHAMROCKS LEADING IN ROBERTSON CUP SERIES SATURDAY'S RESULTS • The first round of the Rotorua Ladies' Hockey Association's Robertson Cup eompetition was completed at the Government Grounds on Saturday iafternoon when two matches were played in ideal weather and on fast grounds. The result of Saturday's games which were won by Shamrock and Arawa gives the Shamrock Club a lead of two points at the completion of the first round with Arawa in second position. The points scored at the end of the round are as follows: — Shamrocks, 6 points, Arawa, 4; Taniwha, 2; Mourea, 0. Results At a Glance Shamrocks 2 goals beat Mourea 1. Arawa 3 goals beat Taniwha 0. Arawa Improve Arawa created somewhat of a surprise by defeating tbe Taniwha team by three igoals to nil following the fine game which the losers had played against the experienced Shamrock side the previous week, but unfortunately Taniwha fielded only ten players on. Saturday iand this no doubt did rnuch to up'set the combination of the team. The game generally was more even than the score indicates and lack of finish in circle play several times robbed Taniwha of possible scores, while Arawa were play ing with ia will. and displaying cleaner stickwork than has been the case since the seascn opened. At the end of the first spell in which both sets of backs had been continually called upon to defend their goal, Arawa had a lead of one goal as a result of a| fine forward movement. The second spell was very similar to the first 'ancj some fast play was witnessed between the two twentyfives, Ana Hato and J. Chiayter defending well for their respective teams. Again Taniwha were unlucky in several movements and on their play deserved to score but improved play in the Arawa forwards gradually gained the ia.scendency and the first spell lead of . one goal was increased to three at the call of> time. Mr. Nimmo refereed. Arawa 3, Taniwha nil. Shamrock' s Close Call Also fielding a short team the champ'ionship leaders had a narrow victory against the Mourea side, the closing stages of the igame, when Shamrocks secured their winning goal being marked by fast play of an exciting nature. Had Mourea been able to avoid the off-side rule ■ against the only two Shamrock backs they must have gone close to scoring on several occasions early in the game but promising movements were continually stopped for this breach and the opposing backs were enabled to keep play out of their circle. From these clear.ances Shamrocks several times raided the Mourea circle but good work was being done by R. Thomas and T. Wdlliams at fullba.ck and the attaeks were turned back. For a spaee Mourea were again on the offensive but the offside rule again proved their undoing and a fine movement up the Shamrock right wing'ended in a pass back to M. Mitchell who was in a good scoring position and she made no mistake with the shot. At the end of the spell neither side had altered the pusition. The second half proved more exeiting than the first and play had not proceeded for long when B. Patekura made a breakaway at the halfway line and dodged the opposing backs to work down the left wing. Neatly avoiding T. Mitchell she completed a fine solo effort to score into an open igoal and equalise the position between the teams. Spurred on by this reverse Shamrocks asserted themselves and several exciting scrambles were witnessed in the Mourea goalmouth but these were cleared in fine style by the blue and white backs. The Shamrocks however, were not to he denied and working into the Mourea circle M. Mitchell again scored. "With but ia few minutes to go Mourea made a desperate effort to again share the honours and worked down to the Shamrock circle where they found strong opposition in T. Mitchell and E. Mitchell and the opportunity was lost, time being called shortly afterwards with play centred in the Shamrock half of the ground. Mr. C, Oasey was referee. Shamrock 2, Mourea 1.