JOYCE ALWIN, HOCKEY PLAYER.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 261, 3 November 1928, Page 22 (Supplement)

JOYCE ALWIN, HOCKEY PLAYER.

(By Joan Barclay, 2, Williarfl Street, Dominion Road, age 15.) "X say, girls, heard the latest?" cried a merry-faced girl of about fourteen 1 summers. "No, what's in the wind now?" eagerly asked a group of girls. "Well, lend your ears, and listen," Madge Astor, the ringleader of the fourth form, paused, then continued. "Belfe has sprained her ankle, and she can't play in the big match." A chorus of groans came from the girls as they heard this, for Belle was their "crack" player in the match against St. Albians. St. Albiana was St. Monica's rival in hockey. "Who's to play instead of Belle, Madge?" queried Betty Baxter. "Joyce Alwin!" groaned Madge. "Joyce Alwin!" echoed £he girls. "Why, Joyce can't play hockey to save liersflf. Those feet of hers," cried Betty, and she turned a disdainful nose in the air. It was plainly seen she did not think much of Joyce as a hockey player. But—they did not know Joyce. "Yes," replied Madge. "Pan* said Joyce was to take Belle's place." Pam Vernon was the games captain, and her word was law. Joyce Alwin was a timid girl, with lank yellow hair, brushed tightly back over her ears, and feet that were always in the way. No , wonder the girls sniffed at the idea of Joyce playing for them. "But, Pam," quavered Joyce, when she was told, "I don't think I could play." 'SXes, you can, Joyce, and you will," returned Pam. "Remember at Hollydeane." "Yes, I know, but—" Joyce began haltingly, but Pam interrupted her with "That's enough, Joyce dear, I know you can do it," and off she went to attend to something else. At last the fateful day dawned clear. All St. Albian's and Monica's had turned out to see the great match. St. Albians was sure, and St. Monica's doubtful. Joyce soon proved her mettle. A few minutes after the game had started, a brilliant pass by Joyce scored a goal for St. Monica's. A great cheer arose from St. Monica's, and tho fourth gasped, they had not thought Joyce capable of it. The ball seemed glued to Joyce's hockey stick, as her feet twinkled down the field, sweeping all before her. Another goal, and yet another! St. Albian's had not scored once! Victory stared St. Monica's in the face! St. Monica's yelled themselves hoarse. At last, just as the referee's whistle blew, Joyce seored another goal. She had won the match! Surging forward, the fourth picked Joyce up, and carried her shoulder high round the hockey field. "Joyce and I used to go to Hoilydeane school together," interrupted Pam, "and Joyce was their 'crack' player, but through an accident, she was forbidden to play again, but she consented to do so to-day, and you see the result." Pam gazed fondly at Joyce, who was blushing vividly.