LADIES’ HOCKEY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 June 1940, Page 8

LADIES’ HOCKEY

FAST PLAY LAST SATURDAY TE ORE ORE SURPRISES. EXCELSIOR HAS HARD GAME. (By ••Bully.") The Wairarapa Ladies’ Hockey Association was once again favoured with fine weather for the continuation of their fixtures last Saturday and as a result some very fast play was witnessed. A Surprise Win. The surprise of the day was the manner in which Te Ore Orc accounted for Kia Ora. Following their good showing against Excelsior, Kia Ora were thought to be an improving team and I think nobody anticipated that Te Ore Ore would overwhelm them to the extent of 8 goals to 0. The Browns, however, must be given full credit for their win. They started off at a pace that had their opponents bustled from the start and thanks to consistent training were able to maintain it to the end. There is no doubt that Te Ore Ore have the right material to develop into a first-rate team and are making the best use of it. They have worked up a vigorous attack and a strong defence and are gaming combination all the while. In their first match of the season they were beaten by Excelsior by a dozen goals to nil, but by the time the teams meet again "Bully” will not be surprised if Te Ore Ore go nearer to lowering the champions’ colours than any other team in the competition.

Splendid Backing Up. In their game last Saturday, Te Ore Ore's backing up was really splendid, and any mistakes on the part of individual players were quickly retrieved. In every instance the attack was driven home by the wings, Misses T. Haeata (left) and D. Matthews (right) scoring six and two goals respectively. Both played really good games. Miss Haeata especially excelled in the vigour and accuracy of her shooting, one clean hit generally being all that was required. Halves Do Well.

The halves also went well, keeping well up to their forwards in attack, and getting back smartly when required in defence. At centre Miss B. Marks gave her best exhibition to date, and the wing halves did all that was asked of them in good style. The two full-backs, Misses M. Dalziell and R. Attree, were also well on their game and smart goal-keeping rounded off a defence against which Kia Ora battled in vain. A Tactical Mistake.

Though their opportunities were limited, the Kia Ora forwards were not by any means overwhelmed. Miss T. Fawcett had no superior on the field, and Miss M. Pownall distinguished herself by the plucky way in which she kept getting into the thick of things. Miss B. Vincent emerged from retirement to take part in this game, but little of the play came her way, and Kia Ora made a tactical mistake in continually playing to the other wing. Apart from a really good exhibition of full-back play from Miss D. Brett, the Kia Ora backs were not impressive.

A Hard Game. The best match of the series was that decided at Carterton between Excelsior and Carterton. Played on a rather bumpy ground, it was Excelsior's hardest game to date. Carterton were outpaced in the forwards, but their backs played a particularly sound game and goals were very hard to get.

Excelsior’s snappy forward passing was well countered by the sure stopping and hard and accurate hitting of the Carterton backs, who collectively gave a very fine exhibition of defensive play. Excelsior’s first stumbling block was Miss V. Ward at centrehalf, who was right on her game, while behind her Mrs Parker and Mrs Ticehurst cleared vigorously time and again. Supporting these players was Miss B. Dueler in goal, who several times robbed Excelsior of the fruits of well-executed attacking movements. An Outstanding Display.

At right full-back, Mrs Parker gave a really outstanding display. It was marked by a complete absence of unnecessary speculating, and no matter from which side the attack came she was either there to meet it, or in position to support the other full-back should the latter miss the ball. Carterton's forwards, however, did not show up nearly so well. Except for Mrs Compton at bully, the forward line lacked thrust and though they had several good opportunities to score they failed to take advantage of them. Fast Forwards. Apart from occasional lapses in regard to shots at goal, the Excelsior forwards put up quite a good display on a bumpy ground, and were much too fast for their opponents. Their passing and backing up were good, and it was just their bad luck that they happened to strike a set of backs who were all on their game. Misses R. Harding and E. Barnes were the most useful of the Excelsior backs. The others did good work at times but speculating is still a very evident weakness of the play of some of the others,, and some day this risky practice will let the team down with a bump. Not in Best Interests of Game.

‘■Bully" has no to appear too critical of officials who are doing all they can to help the game along, but nevertheless would like to point out to certain referees that the lenient eye they turn on such offences as obstruction, hooking sticks, and indiscriminate hitting, among others, is not in the best interests of the game. Over-vigorous slashing at the ball in a melee is far too common, and already has resulted in several cases of bruised shins and ankles. The practice should be checked firmly and effectively.

Revival in Martinborough. The game of hockey has been revived in Martinborough, and a team of ladies from that district has applied for permission to take part in the junior competition at the commencement of the second round. The Association is entirely sympathetic to the request, and provided certain difficulties in regard to transport can be overcome, the new team will shortly be seen in action.

Transport Expenses. Thanks to the many generous donors. the handsome total of £6l was raised to defray the Association's transport expenses, which is amply sufficient for this season’s needs.