LADIES' HOCKEY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 180, 4 September 1914, Page 3

LADIES' HOCKEY.

The '' rep.'' team of Canterbury managed to distinguish itself at last on Saturday, when it defeated the Walrarapa representatives, the present holders of the championship cup, by five goals to four. The game was interesting from start to finish, and in the second half was very exciting. A strong gale blew during the match, which rather hampered the players; the Canterbury girls had it against them in the x first spell and took a long time to get going. Wairarapa kept up a continuous attack after the initial bully and frequently a goal seemed extremely, imminent. When the home team did manage to get the ball away they lost it through poor circle play. S. Kruse badly missed some good chances to score. Wairarapa scored two goals in quick succession, and just on time M. Pearce shot a good one' for Canterbury. .With the sun and wind in. their favour, Canterbury made the pace from the beginning of the second half and soon equalised the score. Waferapa found themselves defending for a change, and this they had to do most of the spell, as the local team attacked vigorously and kept them busy. Wairarapa's play was rather patchy; a few players stood out from their fellows, and whenever they got the ball the game looked nasty at once for Canterbury. The Canterbury girls showed superior combination, and their passing in the second spell was often good and decidedly puzzling to their opponents. The defenders of the team were not altogether sure and safe. The goalkeeper was inclined to stick too much to the posto, when sometimes she might have done better if she had come out to meet the ball. The game will probably not help Canterbury at all as far as the English match is concerned, as, from all accounts, the English girls play an absolutely different game to that which was played on Saturday. There was no short, tricky passing on the part of the visit- | ors, but just long hard drives all through (the game. The only passing that, was indulged in was between the two wing forwards, who were so swift that it seemed impossible for the inside f6rwards to keep up'with them. The home team has made rapid .strides ' towards improvement since it played South Canterbury, and the improvement displayed on Saturday must have beeu very gratifying to their coach (Mr, Chatfield) and the supporters of the team. The players of both teams were driven in taxis to "Broadway 's, where they wer-3 entertained at tea and afterwards were taken to the theatre. The English team will arrive next week, and the committee of the Ladies' Hockey Association is busy making preparations for entertaining and billeting their visitors. They will arrive from Greymouth On Tuesday evening and will travel ,to Timaru by the second express on the following day. Before leaving, a civic reception will be accorded them by the Mayor of Christchurch at the City Council Chambers, to which all hockey enthusiasts, past and present, are in vited. Tiie team will play South Canterbury on Thursday at Tiinaru, and will return to Christchurch by the first express on Friday. On Saturday tha great match, England v. Canterbury, will be played at Lancaster Park, and in"the evening the Canterbury team will entertain their visitors at dinner at the Art Gallery and afterwards a reception will be held. On Monday the team will leave for Invercargill by the first express, and Christchurch won't see them again until they pass through on Saturday, September 26, to play the first test match at Wellington. The local girls are still training hard for their match with the English team — at least some of them are. Rumour hath it that the 6.30 a.m. practices have not been attended by a full team this week. Why is this? Is it becauee the girls think that now they have beaten the New Zealand champions they are fit to beat the English team ? Methinks they will get a sad awakening on the 12th if they do. Tickets for the England v. Canterbury match can be obtained at Messrs Mason and Struthers, or Craig and Co. V, for 1/-.