Women’s Hockey CHRISTCHURCH WEST WINS COMPETITION

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28661, 11 August 1958, Page 6

Women’s Hockey CHRISTCHURCH WEST WINS COMPETITION

At the end of the last round of the Canterbury Women’s Hockey Association’s senior competition Christchurch West emerged as the winner for the 1958 season of the club championship. As the points table shows, the competition has been keen and interesting throughout the season, and any one of three teams could have triumphed as a result of the last day’s matches.

Christchurch West has played very consistently, and by not faltering in the crucial concluding stages has fully deserved the verdict in what was almost a photo finish. The games were conducted in warm, sunny conditions, but the grounds were bumpy and the ball was rather tricky to control. Results were:— x Christchurch West 7, Rawhiti 3. Harewood 6, Carlton 4. University 3, Digbys 3. Aranui 6, Teachers’ College 1. Final points: Christchurch West 21, Harewood 20, Digbys 19, Aranui 18, Carlton 16, University 11, Rawhiti 7, Teachers’ College 0. CHRISTCHURCH WEST v. RAWHITI Only a major upset by the improved Rawhiti team could have deprived Christchurch West of the championship, and this did not eventuate. Rawhiti, however, played well enough to hold West for twothirds of the game, but the latter finished strongly and placed the issue beyond doubt. The West forwards were in good form, being well led by M. Thomson and A. Donaldson, and the high standard of their circle play and shooting was decisive against a plucky and determined defence. They received good support from I. Cadigan and N. Powell, two halfbacks whose form has been sound and consistent throughout the season.

Rawhjti concentrated wisely upon a right flank attack and troubled the West defence greatly in the first half, but the team tired later in the game and the attacks fell away, partly because the insideforwards did not maintain their back-tackling. Prominent on attack were M. Rouse, A. Schimanskl and L. Todd. J. Rouse and L. Bayliss provided stubborn tenacity to the defence. Rawhiti has improved considerably during the season, and both the players and the team’s coach deserve credit for their efforts. They should be able to approach their next season with greater confidence. The Christchurch West goals were scored by A. Donaldson (3), M. Thomson (2), J. Fifield and J. Wise, while M. Rouse (2) and G. Harkess scored for Rawhiti. UNIVERSITY v. DIGBYS Had Christchurch West been beaten Digbys could have won the championship by beating University, but the latter team held its own, although Digbys had slightly the better of the play territorially. Seldom has an individual player dominated a match to the extent attained by the University centrehalf. S. Comer. On deep defence. In midfield play, and on attack she was outstanding, and her ability to elude opponents in the most restricted spaces and to feed her forwards with the most accurate of passes was brilliant. A touch of absurdity was introduced on one occasion when she was penalised for sticks while using the push shot. T. Minehan led the University for-

wards well, but they lacked combination. S. Spooner made some good runs on the tight wing, but F. Kelly, at inside-left, was below her best in controlling the ball, although she showed her customary skill in close play in the circle. The University defence was not as solid as usual, but S. Comer’s ability to cover her backs and extricate her team from the most difficult of situations stamps her as the finest centre-half in New Zealand today.

For Digbys, M. Mann caused University much trouble from the leftwing, and D. Mouat required careful watching also. At left-half, D. Quinn played a fine game, based on good positioning and precise passing, and S. Wood was an effective centre-half. B. Makinson made some good saves in the Digbys goal, playing a decisive part in frustrating the University forwards. Goals for University were scored by F. Kelly (2) and T. Minehan. while S. Boag, D. Copley and M. Mann scored for Digbys. HAREWOOD V. CARLTON This was a remarkable game in which Carlton, playing with three backs instead of a goalkeeper, established a lead of four goals to one by half-time, only to be overwhelmed by a splendid Harewood recovery in the second spell. In the early stages. A. Tourell and D. Bartlett, on the Carlton right flank, combined well and staged many fine raids, being ably supported by J. Brown at centre-half. H. Rich was also prominent at centre-forward, but the Harewood defence appeared to be rather careless in the first half. Harewood’s subsequent recovery was led by three lively inside forwards of whom B. Turner in the centre was outstanding. H. Turner and V. Watson took toll of a defence which became demoralised, and G. Merrin and E. Tullett gave good displays on the wings. At centrehalf, N. Turner played a big part in pulling her team together, and Y. Turner, at left-back, gave a competent display. \ The dribbling and passing of the Harewood forwards in the second half tore great gaps in the Carlton defence, and the lack of a goalkeeper was a serious handicap. Harewood deserves great credit for achieving such a convincing victory after such a disastrous first half. The Harewood goals were scored by B. Turner (3), H. Turner (2) and G. Merrin, while D. Bartlett (3) and H. Rich scored for Carlton. ARANUI v. TEACHERS’ COLLEGE Aranui has finished the season in fine form, and is a much better team than at the start. It carried too many guns for the weak Teachers’ College team, and experienced no difficulty in gaining a convincing victory. Strong and determined dribbling, together with reasonably accurate passing by S. McCaw. G. Mayer and M. Cawood, were too much for the opposing defence. M. Cawood has shown great improvement in recent games, and is developing -some useful stickwork. A. de Ville gave her forwards good support at centre-half, while Z. Walker was a sound and steady right-back. For Teachers’ College, J. Auty gave a magnificent display of goalkeeping. although she tends to use her stick too much instead of kicking. At right-back, B. Larkin made some neat interceptions, and J. Thomson dribbled well on the rightwing and made some fine centres which were wasted by the inside forwards. N. Stupples, at inside-right, played tirelessly, and might have made some use of J. Thomson’s centres had she been at centre-forward or inside-left. Teachers’ College has been handicapped throughout the season by lack of sufficient players of the requisite standard, but the team hag struggled courageously at all times under difficult conditions. The Aranui goals were scored by M. Cawood (3), S. McCaw (2), and A de Ville. A. Robinson scored for Teachers’ College.

LOWER GRADES Senior A Reserve.—Cranmer 2, Selwyn 0. Second Grade.—Varsity 3, Hinemoa 1. Teachers’ College 2, Nurses 2. Third Grade.—Aranui 4, Digby’s 2; Rangiora High 3, Belfast 1; Technical 2, Hare wood 2; Carlton 3, Avonside 0. Fourth Grade.—Shirley 8, Rawhiti 1; Hornby 8, Hare wood 0; Carlton 6, Avonside 4; Christchurch West beat Dental Nurses by default. Fifth Grade.—Digbys 11, Technical 1; Hornby 1, Hinemoa 0. Sixth Grade.—Carlton 15, Belfast 0; Aranui 3. Hinemoa 1. Fifth Son To Crosby (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) HOLLYWOOD, August 8. Bing Crosby became the father of his fifth son today. Mrs Crosby, the actress Kathy Grant aged 23, gave birth to a 71b 9oz boy at Queen of Angels Hospital eight hours after she was admitted. Both mother and child were reported well. No name had been selected for the baby. WHO LIKES TREACLE TART? Generally father’s favourite. Try this simple recipe: 6oz Fether-Flake, 2oz breadcrumbs, rind of 1 lemon, golden syrup. Line a tin plate with FetherFlake rolled to the thickness of a penny. Put in half breadcrumbs and the lemon rind. Cover well with golden syrup, finish with breadcrumbs and bake till FetherFlake is cooked—about 20 minutes at 450 deg. Important: After rolling Fether-Flake out always leave 15 minutes before baking. This ensures lightness. Think of the Pies, Tarts and Savouries you can make with Fether-Flake Pastry. Obtainable only at Ernest Adams. Ltd., cake shops and agencies. —Advt.