LESSON IN TACTICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 137, 13 June 1938, Page 16

LESSON IN TACTICS.

ENGLISH WOMEN'S TEANI. DEFEAT OF AUCKLAND. Although the English ladies'- team had not played together until arriving in the Dominion a week ago and the ground conditions ou Saturday were soft and slippery, their general teamwork was most impressive. They defeated Auckland by 5 goals to 1. The positional play of the visitors was an outstanding feature, contributing to an understanding that allowed the ball to be hit about with rare abandon and enabled attacks to' be made with plenty of thrust. The great drawing power of. the attacks had the Auckland defence in a somewhat hopeless position in the first half, but in the second spell the Auckland defence countered the movements more successfully. Auckland were given lessons in all departments of play. The goalkeeper, Miss Higgins, displayed plenty of anticipation and by coming out | nullified Auckland's .attacks and enabled j the full-back to cover and clear. In Misses M. M. Knott (captain) and M. E. J Collins, are a strong pair of full-backs. Their tackling was determined and clearling hits were not only well directed, but j well placed. I An outstanding display was that of Miss iK. Thompson, centre half, and her efforts should prove most valuable to local j players. No position in Auckland hockey jis so deplorably weak and Miss Thompson's lesson has came at a most opportune I time. ' ; The forwards were a very even set, but j Misses J. O'Donogliue (inner left), J. S.. j Wright (centre) and J. Bowling (left wing) claim special mention. The wings were both speedy and drew the defence well before centring. The weakness of both teams was the inability to turn penalty corners to greater advantage. The only penalty corner that proved profitable gave Auek- ; land's score. .