HOCKEY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 273, 31 August 1935, Page 2

HOCKEY.

DOMINION WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT.

ASHBURTON BEATS WELLINGTON

(Per Press Association). GISBORNE, August 30. The New Zealand women’s _ hockey championships opened to-day in overcast weather, with a cold wind blowing across the ground. Results: A Sectilon. Eastern ‘Southland beat Poverty Bay, 5-0. Canterbury beat Bush, 4-2. Auckland beat Marlborough, 5-3. B Section. Ruahine beat Wairarapa, 6-0. Ashburton beat Wellington, 5-2. South Otago beat Poverty Bay, 7-1.

The match between Wellington and Ashburton was fast and open, the southern side showing superior combination, winning by 5 goals to 2. _ The Ashburton team was—o. Smith, A. Loach, M. Watson, D. Fowke, E. Jary, It. Donaldson, F. Gudsell, I • Donaldson, J. Lowe, J. Davison, J. Watson. „ , Wellington had the better of the opening stages, but Ashburton defended solidly. Loach put Ashburton on attack, a left wing rush ending in Lowe scoring the first goal. After a period of even' play, M. Wilkins evened the scores with a hard shot. Gudsell was* playing well at centre, giving Davison a chance, which was accepted. Just before half-time E. Dunce, the Wellington centre-forward, again made the scoxes even. Just after the start of the second spell Fowke put Ashburton on attack, and F. Donaldson again gave the team the lead. The South Island side was playing good hockey, keeping Wellington defending. Davison and F. Donaldson added further goals, making the final score 5-2 in Ashburton’s favour.

The Ashburton forward line went exceptionally well, combining well with passing rushes that often gained over half the length of the field. They were well fed fcv the halves, Jary at centre playing brilliantly. The Ashburton backs were very safe on defence, and the goalkeeper made many good saves, and cleared well. The Wellington backs and halves were not as safe as those of Ashburton, and the forwards were weak in the circle.