GIRLS’ HOCKEY

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 75, 20 June 1927, Page 11

GIRLS’ HOCKEY

SATURDAY’S GAMES COLLEGE’S IMPROVEMENTS Undoubtedly the feature of the girls’ contests on Saturday was the greatly improved standard of hockey exhibited by the Training College girls. Saturday, in fact, gave a striking indication of the value of practice during the week, and both St. Cuthbert’s and the Training-College girls, who apparently have the time to give to a study of the game, displayed at times 1 heady hockey and a creditable knowledge of the finer points of the game. An unfortunate incident arose out of the Training College v Mount Eden contest. Owing to difficulty in obtaining a referee, the match was from ten minutes to a quarter of an hour late in starting, but unislied at the same time as the other contests. The referee disappeared. On the grounds that the match had been played short time, a protest against the result being registered in the competition was immediately lodged by Eden. The Training College girls offered to play a further 10 minutes on the ground, but nothing eventuated. The incident certainly demands investigation, and reflects little credit on the Referees’ Association. Surely the principal girls’ match of the season merited more courteous treatment? The referee did not even wait to offer an explanation, and failed to hand in his score card. There is too great a tendency to treat the girls’ games Tightly. Hesitant and. faulty stick work was displayed in the Training College front line, and lost it many an opening. Play generally, however, was of a greatly improved standard, and the stickwork of Miss Bilhani'was an object-lesson for tlie ; field. There was little selfish play, and the policy throughout was to keep the ball in motion and win rather by tactics than force. Miss Davoren, on the wing, played a good game, and Miss Jurd' was also seen to advantage in the front line. In the Training College backs. Miss Muller player a reliable game, her hard hitting diverting many a dangerous attack. For the greater part the game centred in Eden territory.

Eden di.d not appear to play up to its usual standard and combination was exceptionally weak. In movements which had every prospect of terminating successfully, the Eden forward line would fail as a result of selfish play, and ill-considered hitting. Instead of playing the ball along the line it would be played right into the sticks of their opponent. Miss C. Fotheringham was one of the most prominent Eden players. i Misses Bilham and McMiken scored for College. ST. CUTHBF.RT'S BEAT SOMERVILLE When Somerville lost to St. Cuthbert’s by 5 to 1 it was the result of better-finished hockey and superior combination triumphing over a team displaying flashes of very pretty individual stickwork but which was weak in combination. St. Cuthbert’s for the greater part of the game confined play to its opponent’s territory, the front line displaying creditable team work. Miss Blakey was prominent in the College girls’ backs, while Miss Dilworth also handled a worth-while stick in the halves. The Somerville girls played a willing game, but faulty and erratic stickwork lost them points. Although better combination could have been expected, the whole front line, Misses Walsh, Stevens, Goldsbrq, Coppersmith and Bell, displayed, at times, creditable stickwork. Miss M. Bell was outstanding in defence. St. Cuthbert’s scorers were Misses Dodds (4) and Jenkins (1). Miss Coppersmith found the net for Somerville. VARSITY FALL TO Y.W.C.A. Little outstanding play was exhibited in the Y.W.C.A.-Varsity contest, and the final score, 8-1, in favour of the former was a fair indication of the play. Varsiey for the most part took tilings easy, many players once making a good shot apparently thinking they had done enough and waiting for someone else to carry on. In goal for Varsity Miss Cranwell handled a fair stick, while Misses Mclntosh and McMiken were the only other worthwhile players. In the face of such half-hearted opposition even the Y.W. girls did not appear to play up to their usual standard and combination was weak. Misses McLaughlan and Dickey were prominent, the former being responsible for 7 goals. Miss Hubber netted the other score. For Varsity Misses McNicol and Mclntosh each found the net. COLLEGE LOSES TO ARAWA From the bully-off College had it very much its own way. The best part of the play was confined to Arawa’s territory. The result of a brilliant piece of combination saw Miss Clark put one in for College, giving it an early lead. Miss Henry followed shortly after with another. Half-hearted attacks were launched by Arawa, in an endeavour to enter the College net, but nothing eventuated. Before the whistle went for half-time Arawa launched an attack upon College’s goal, and Miss Simpson, with a pretty piece of stickwork, netted. In the second half Arawa livened up, with the result that Miss Bestic put another one in. The play continued to be fast and open. College still having the slight advantage. From an opening made by Miss Simpson, Miss Thomas found the net for Arawa. The game ended Arawa 3, College 2.