Hockey

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 76, 31 July 1950, Page 5

Hockey

BAY TEAMS LOST TWICE TO WAIPA Two defeats were suffered by Central Bay of Plenty hockey teams against Waipa at Te Awamutu on Saturday. In a women’s match Central Bay lost narrowly by 2 goals to 1 while the men's team went down 2-0.

WAIPA’S COMBINATION The men’s game commenced with Waipa forwards showing good understa'ndng and soon had the Bay on defence. From a penalty Waipa goaled and kept to the attack. Only some -brilliant saves by the Bay goalies kept the score down to 2-1 at half time. Into the second' spell the Bay had settled down and their forwards were getting plenty of the ball but although they were given several opportunities they were not accepted. Towards the end Waipa goaled again and until the final they kept the visitors on defence.

TEAMS’ STRONG DEFENCE In the women’s match Waipa scored in the first few minutes. The Bay evened soon after and then both teams settled down. Each team displayed a strong defence and although the Bay forwards saw plenty of the ball lack of combination and thrust prevented scoring. Well into the second spell Waipa scored their final goal and the last one of the match.

COMMENTS ON BAY TEAMS * In the women’s games the Bay players were often playing out of their usual position. This was very noticeable and did not tend to help 4:he combination required. In the Bay women’s team the positional play was good. The half line was inclined to hold the ball too long, losing the ball on several occasions through this and not getting the forwards on the- attack quick enough. The’ forwards lacked combination and thrust. The main fault with both teams, which when controlled, should allow the Central Bay to hold their own with major associations are: Ball control. That is stopping the ball dead on the stick, hitting quickly and accurately to any unmarked player, The answer to this is practice and more practice. All players gained considerable experience in these games on Saturday.