WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20027, 8 September 1930, Page 7

WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT.

WELLINGTON AND EASTERN DRAW. Inui isaociATio* nusuu.) UfVBECAEGILL, September 6. An epio struggle which will go down in tbe annate of the women's hockey championships aa cne of the most atirring battles ever waged was witnessed at Rugby Park to-day by a crowd of over 2000 spectators, when Eastern' Southland A tnet Wellington in the final of tho championship for the K Cup, and fought a drawn game—2 all. Owing to heavy rain overnight the playing field was distinctly on the greasy side, the players finding difficulty at times in petaining their fec-t in tho mud. Tha weather was fine in the afternoon and, considering the adverse state of the ground, the standard of hockey w«e particularly high, tha game throughout being fast, clean, and exciting. It was a gruelling clash, in which on the whole there was little to chooae between both elevens. The first spell eaw a sparkling aucceMsiun of attacks and counter-attacks, both teams striving mightily for supremacy. Tho halftime score—one to nil—was in favour oi Eastern Southland A, but early in the i>ecorifl spell the Wellington vangaard desperately harassed the defence which; though stout, could not hold the dashiig northern quintet at bay, tha visitors netting on two occasions.

In the Ust quarter of so hour Eost«rn exerted their utmost energies, and time iipd again burst right through into Wellington'* danger zone, only to see th«r harowiMi advantages nullified by .stubborn defence. Excitement ran high as the Eaatetn forwards, right on their game, assailed the visitors' goalmouth to let K. Bond, following * trtp hit Wellington for "stocks," score the equalising goal with seven minutes to go. Electufying assaults by both elevens held the spectators interest and Eastern again determinedly besetged. their opponent®' goal. The northern forwards and backs presented a solid wall whenever the ball entered tbe circle, -and time wits called with Wellington defending strenuously. The K Cup, tbe coveted trophy for which the stiugijle was waged. Will be held by the Wellington team for six monthe and then wil! be the proitd possession of Eastern Southland A for the balanoe of the year They thoroughly deserve their good fortune. This is the first occasion since the incep tion of the tournament in 1909 that either Wellington or Eastern Southland A havr held the trophy. By reason of the draw the Floyd Shield (for the runners up) will also be held by each eleven for a period of si* months. Prior to the commencement of the Eastern Southland A-Wellingtop match Otago and Xortb Otago crossed sticks for the rtolden Cup—third place in tbe tournament championship. Considerable interest centred in tb* struggle, and although Otago ultimately emerged victorious by 5 goals to 2, the game was more evenly contested than the. -final score might seem to indicate. Otago, however, showed more combination In;their for ward line, and although thev encountered stern apposition from the Clar*. North Otago full-backs, they generally held the upper hand and gained the day.