ENGLISH WOMEN BEAT ASHBURTON

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22435, 23 June 1938, Page 20

ENGLISH WOMEN BEAT ASHBURTON

MATCH MARRED BY RAIN In a game remarkable for the outstanding combination and clever stick work of the visitors, the touring English women’s hockey team beat the Ashburton women’s representative team by 9 goals to 1 on the Ashburton Domain oval yesterday. Heavy rain set in during the first spell, and this, apart from causing discomfort to the players, affected the game by making the ground slippery and heavy. The English team gave a wonderful display of positional play, and showed an excellent understanding of each other’s movements. Ashburton put up a courageous defence against a superior side, and suffered greatly from stage fright in the first half, but played with more confidence in the second spell, when better combination was shown. The English forwards produced a fine display and altogether their good tactics, anticipation, and deft handling of the ball upset their opponents. There was a large attendance. The teams were;— England—Goal, Miss G. Huggins; backs. Misses M. M. Knott and M. E. Collins; halves. Misses O. Barnes, M. J. Lodge, and I. Naylor; forwards. Misses E. Shelmerdine, B. West, J. Wright, K. Thompson, and N. Judd. Ashburton—Goal, Miss L. Watson; backs. Misses P. Hawke and M. Watson; halves. Misses W. Lowe, E. Jary, N. Loach; forwards. Misses F. Gudsell, P. Brand, O. Davidson, J. Davidson, and J. Lowe. Miss Huggins, at goal, was only hard pressed on one or two occasions, but her defence was sound and she made skilful saves when called upon. Miss Naylor, at left half, was splendid at intercepting the ball during movements of her opponents, and Miss Knott, at right back, was outstanding. The combination of the English team as a whole was a feature of the match, the work of Misses Shelmerdine, West, and Wright being particularly good In this respect. Miss L. Watson, Ashburton’s goalkeeper, put up a fine showing against such strong opposition, and made some very creditable saves. The combination of Misses M. Watson and P. Hawke was very good, particularly In the second half. The latter displayed good anticipation and intercepted at every opportunity. Miss W. Lowe, at right half, saved many dangerous rushes, and her stick work was little short of that of many of her opponents. Several determined runs were made by Miss Gudsell (right wing), but unfortunately the movements were not completed. The Play At the outset, England took the ball to Ashburton’s circle, where Miss L. Watson saved impressively. Miss Shelmerdlne was the first visiting player to have a direct shot at goal, but she missed the net. Ashburton took charge of the ball momentarily, but England again got possession and attacked for Miss Wright to open the score after a fine passing rush. England 1, Ashburton 0. Misses Gudsell and Brand combined in an effort to turn the tables, and the ball went out. Miss West failed In an attempt at Ashburton’s goal. This was followed by a penalty bully given against Ashburton, and Miss Wright goaled. England 2, Ashburton 0. Ashburton was strongly on the defensive, and Invasions of England’s territory were spasmodical. Miss Wright repeated her performance after a quick movement in which the' ball passed deftly from Misses Shelmerdlne and West. England 3, Ashburton 0. Ashburton rallied and Invaded the territory of the opposition. Miss Jary failed from a free hit at goal. Miss Gudsell made a quick run down the right wing, but Miss Collins saved, converting the defence into an attacking movement which resulted in Miss West netting the ball. England 4. Ashburton 0. The first dangerous movement by Ashburton was initiated by Miss Lowe, who took the ball down the left wing and centred to Miss J. Davidson, who missed narrowly with a shot at goal. Ashburton’s defensive play Improved at this stage, and it broke through many of the attacks. Misses Lowe and Davidson again combined in a rush which looked like success but the visitors saved the position. A fine concerted attack was set up by England, and the ball travelled from Miss Judd to Miss Shelmerdlne, on the opposite wing, who goaled. England 5, Ashburton 0. Ashburton missed an excellent opportunity to goal when the ball was taken along the right wing by Misses Davidson and Gudsell. and was passed swiftly to the left wing, but Miss Lowe failed to stop the ball, which went out of bounds. Her opportunity came later when Miss Gudsell had a shot at opening Ashburton’s scoring account, but missed. Miss Lowe was handy and goaled in fine style. England 5, Ashburton 1. When play resumed after half-time, Ashburton attacked and a shot at goal by Miss Brand missed by a narrow margin. England got possession and a rush by Misses Thompson. Judd, and West ended in a goal by Miss West. England 6, Ashburton 1. Miss Brand took the ball down the field at the point of her stick and sent out a strong pass to Miss Gudsell. but the ball shot over the sideline. England came back to the attack, and a shot at goal by Miss Judd was intercepted by Miss W. Lowe. England held the advantage and another shot at goal by Miss West went wide. At this stage the game had slowed up considerably. From a penalty corner by England, Miss West missed in another shot at the net, the ball going over the top of the bar. Miss Judd made a direct hit at goal from a good position, but Miss L. Watson ran out and stopped the ball splendidly. England did not relax the pressure, and the forwards again carried the ball into a handy position for Miss West to goal. England 7, Ashburton 1. Miss Gudsell broke through England’s attack and dribbled the ball up the line, and then Infield, where she shot at goal, but Miss Huggins saved. Miss Brand was handy and had another attempt, but the ball just missed the net. Ashburton held Its own and Instituted further rushes. Miss Gudsell missed In another strong effort to goal. Misses West, Wright, Thompson, and Judd set up a rush which broke through Ashburton’s attack and resulted in Miss Judd goaling in fine style. England 8, Ashburton 1. A determined effort to Increase their score was made by Ashburton, but the defensive play of Miss Huggins, who could not be drawn from the goal, was too sound. The final goal came just before time was called. A penalty bully was awarded to England, and the ball went out to Miss West, who netted In a convincing manner. England 9, Ashburton 1.

Miss E. J. Warwick (manager of the English team) and Mr C. Bishop (Ashburton) were the referees. The visitors were entertained at a ball last evening, and will leave for Dunedin this morning.