GREYTOWN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 July 1938, Page 9

GREYTOWN

LADIES’ GOLF CUP.

(“Times-Age” Special.)

The tnird round of the ladies’ challenge cup was played in conjunction with an L.G.U. medal round on Saturday, the results with points gained being as follows: —Miss B. Gregor, 110, 32, 78, 3 points; Mrs Maddison, 96, 17, 79, 2 points; Miss E. Gregor, 102, 17, 85, 1 point; Mrs Thompson, 97, 10, 87; Mrs Jury, 108, 20, 88. Points gained for the Challenge cup over the three rounds are: Mrs Maddison, 61; Miss E. Gregor, 4; Miss Nix, 3|; Miss B. Gregor, 3; Mrs J. Jury, 1. HOCKEY NOTES. Two games were played locally on Saturday, the senior men meeting Kiwi and the ladies Excelsior. Both home teams registered a loss, the former by 6-1 and the latter 5-2; but in both cases, the play was much more even than these scores indicate. Both home teams reveal want of fitness because their second half is the worst, and until every player learns to realise than it is of little avail merely picking up a stick each Saturday without some practice in between, neither team will go far. Besides that, it is evident that not only in the local clubs, but also among all clubs generally, few players evince any intelligent desire to learn by defeat, or improve by trying out tactics. The lamentable failure to take full advantage of the five yards in penalty corners, and to apply the very fundamentals of the game can only be overcome by a little concentration both on and off the field. A very pleasing feature of both games was the manner in which they were played and the defeats were taken. It is obvious, however, that no team which does not practice can do anything else but play pleasantly and with a philosophic resignation to the fact that defeat is inevitable. How ever, one team must usually be loser, and our local players and supporters can pride themselves in the fact that they can take defeat with a goodwill.

It was expected that the ladies game would be a good one, but there could scarcely be any doubt that Excelsior would win. Because they do train, and go to practices, the latter deserve their win. The game was not as thrilling as it could have been by any means. This is usually so, because both teams know each other as not unworthy opponents, and the’ knowledge of fact held up any attempts at opening up the game. The junior boys had a bye.

Now that the first ladies’ Test has faded far enough into tire distance for ft to be viewed in perspective, the fact emerges that the overseas combination is certainly a strong one. It is equally true that the score of 4-1 by no means is a true indication of the game. Nor is the fact that 2 penalty bullies and subsequent goals were recorded against the New Zealand goalie a severe indictment. The ground itself was responsible as much for these as it was for the one hundred and one other breaches, particularly obstruction, evident during the game. In scarcely one case was the obstruction penalty against a New Zealand or English player the result of real obstruction. The failure of the ground to hold, of the ball to roll, or of an opponent to move as anticipated were the real causes. I have seen only one ground as bad as Lancaster Park was last Wednesday, and that was at Gisborne in 1935.

The English women are good in all departments. The forwards play with dash and cunning. The ■ halves back up and defend very well. The fullbacks are really sound. Miss Knott, the captain, is certainly a “knotty” problem. The left winger, Miss Dowling, who has made a great impression during this tour, was not the fireworks she might have been expected to be partly because of the ground, and partly because of the skilful play of M. Sanson, the New Zealand right half. The visitors seem to realise that their best attacking wing is the left and play accordingly, but they do not neglect the right or centre either. Miss Nicol, the New Zealand captain, at right wing is particularly skilful at working down the line with less than a yard to spare and beat her opponent frequently. One player who put in a huge amount of useful work both on attack and defence was S. Aldridge, New Zealand centre-half, but she was little ahead of her wing halves except that she got the worst of a very bad field and emerged not only with flying colours but with very muddy clothes and face as well.

From the point of view of dash, the New Zealand forwards were quite their opponents’ equal. Miss Sherriffs at centre played marvellously and with the others, especially during the second half, staged attacks that only stout defence and frightful circle conditions combined to forestall. In stamina, it appeared that the New Zealand ladies were the equal if not the better of their opponents. What the prospects are for next game is problematical. The second Test will be played at Wanganui next Saturday. New Zealand is fielding the same team and no doubt England will do likewise. On a dry ground each stands equal opportunities for carrying the day, and a very fast game should result. Ball control will prove a very dominating factor, but the tackling

will be solid on both sides, and an exciting game should result. The fact that Wellington drew nil all with England on Saturday cannot be judged significantly even by those who saw the game. Without desiring to detract from the merit of the Wellington success, the fact remains that the visitors have had a severe week playing Eastern, then the Test, and then the crossing. Add to that, the fact that England could not have possibly played its strongest team. A number of other factors could have combined to cause the result. However, congratulations to Wellington, and may Akitio repeat the experience on Tuesday. ORDERED TO LEAVE TOWN. William Rose, an old offender, was convicted and discharged for having been drunk and was ordered to leave the town. Mr J. Kiernan, J.P., was on the bench.