LADIES' CHAMPIONSHIP.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20021, 1 September 1930, Page 3

LADIES' CHAMPIONSHIP.

(rRESS ASSOC! VHOS TILEGHAM.) | INVEECARGIIiL. August 30. The New Zealand ladies' hockey championship toumey was commenced at Queen's P*rk this afternoon Owing to unfavourable weather conditions earlier in the day the grounds were converted into ft regular quag- | mire in parts, and after the earlier games Sawdust had to be used for the circle*. In the afternoon the weather cleared and the matches wore got through promptly. The Mayoi <Mr J. D. Campbell) welcomed the visitors and officially opened the tournament.' Considering the heavy nature ot the mounds sparkling exhibitions of hockey were witnessed, being been, last, and exciting. In several matches the issue was in doubt almost until the final whistle. Notwithstanding the heavy state of the playing fields, which were really in favour of the local teams, the niprtherners were responsible for some bright displays. Results. A Section. Wellington (3) beat Southland B (1). Eastern Southland B (5) heat Rotorua W). Korth Otago (1) drew with West Coast (!)■ B Section. Southland A (8) beat Otago (DManawatu (2) beat South Canterbury WEastern Southland A (4) beat Wairarapa (2). DETAILS OF THE PLAY. 1 The star attraction of the afternoon was undoubtedly the match between Southland A (holders of the K Cup) and Otago, who were reputed to he formidable challengers. Great interest centred around this tussle, and the large crowd of spectators were treated to a keen and exciting struggle, in v/hioh each eleven strove mightily 101 supremacy. Both teams showfd good stick work, tackling was sound, and play generally was fast and nippy. Good combination was ire* quontly in evidence, and although the spark_ linff exhibition kept spectators on the qui vive throughout tho Otago players frequently assailed the Maroons' danger zone in the first spell, and it was only the sound defeuHve work of the Southland halves and full-backs that kept the visitors' vanguird at bay. Otago certainly lived up to <,he reputation that heralded their visit, aud on the day's play were unlucky in. not making » draw of the game. Certainly there was little to chocsb between' tho two elevens, and the issue was in doubt right to the final vhistlo. In tha second spell the Maroons rose to ths occasion splendidly and livened up their i pit.*, T?hile strong attack* irem lftuodhed (

into the visitors' territory. The Southland vanguard combined in some desperate worts ivjiicli bwept right through to harass the defence. Excitement ran high when M. Clark put her side ahead, and although Otago embarked upon many dangerous movements the defence stood stout, to give the Maroons a well-deserved victory. The Wellington team thoroughly deserved its win over Southland B. Although the local girlo had a lair share of the attack the Wellington forwards proved much more effective on attack thau Southland ana showed more combination; moreover, their shooting was far crisper The Southland backs had a strenuous time, but came through the ordeal well. The visiting backs ha/f a comparatively easy time. At the interval Wellington led by 2 to nil; goals having ■ been secured by Misses Wilkins and' Hunt Bach side goaled after the interval, Miss Baird scoring for Southland and Mub Maule for Wellington. Prominent players for Wellington were Mrs fcmith (backs) and Misses Wilkms, Hunt, Foreman, and Gleeson (forwards). For Southland Mifw Burrell did ro«ch good work at full-back. Miss Conley showed dash on the wing. , One of the brightest games of the day wan provided by Eastorn Southland and Rotorua. The Eotorua girls, most of whom were Maoris, were fast and powerful, and on a dry ground would probably have done much better. They took a while to settle down to the muddy conditions, and Eastern notched two goals in the first twenty niiu* uteb. Thereafter it was a ding-dong struggle, Eastern being a trifle lucky to emerge winners by 5 goals to 4. It wm the sterling defence of the Eastern goalie (Mias Wright) which won the match for her side. She was the outstanding player in the match. Miss Patterson also snowed good form for Rotorua. Misses E. Mitchell. Hato, Davidson, Rctrers, and Gray played very well. North Otngo and West _ Coast were very evenly matched, and considering that they aro new to tournament play, they played good hookey. At half-time West Coast led by 1 to nil, Misa M. Sumner having goaled. North Ota<»o had the better of the second spell, but had to be content with a go.il bv Miss A. Wills. The tussle between Manawatu and South Canterbury proved a very evenly-copfested match in which both teams gave a good account of themselves*' There was little if anvthine to choose between the relative merits of the two elevens. With the score of one all play in the last 10 jnini'tes became very exciting, and' it was" practically just on Mov that' 8. Hakaraia shot the winning goal for Manawatu. , The defence of the teams was of a high standard., and tlio goal-keepers on occasions saved cleverly. The game between Eastern Southland A I a»<i Wairarapa also provided. a pood exhil bition of hockey fought at ft gruelling pace ,

throughout. In the first spell Eastern A ■ maintained the territorial advantage, and it wtw only the sound defonoe of the Wairara-pa rear division which kept the half-time score down to 8 10 nil in favour of Eartprn. In the second ei>ell, stung by their reverse, Wairarap*. livened up considerably and- engineered strong and desperate onslaughts, which on two occasions bore, fruit* 1 Play became more even in thia half, and Eastern A were put on their metal to frustrate their aggressive opponents. With the wore at 3-2 the clash became very editing and crammed with incident, but . the final- issue was - put beyond all doubt whezs V. STicol scored again for Eastern A. " WIN FOR* OTAGO. | (PRESS ASSOCIATXOW ' TWMRAX.) TXMARTT, August 80. Otago and South Canterbury A and B hockey representatives played tho'r annual matches this afternoon. Otago A were too fast and clever for the home nide. securing .a win by 6 goals to 1, South Canterbury B defeated Otago B by 1 goal to nil, after a poor display. ELLESMERE V. MALVERN. Representative matches between the Elles-. mere and Malvern Sub-Associations' teams were played at Dunsandel on Saturday. In the first grade match. Elloamere won by 4 points to 3, and in tne second grade, MaP vern beat EUesmere by 2 points to l. - IN other centres. " WELLINGTON, August 81, Hockey results-Senior B, junior, and third grade Town t, Country matches were played yesterday. Town won two games. Wanganui ' senior representatives drew with 'Varsity, 4 all.