Women’s Hockey Competitions Start In All Grades

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29799, 16 April 1962, Page 3

Women’s Hockey Competitions Start In All Grades

The Canterbury Women’s Hockey Association opened its 1962 season bn Saturday with competition matches in all grades. Overhead conditions were pleasant, but the grass needed cutting. Some of the grounds were scarred with drainage trenches, whose lack of turf, covering suggests that they will degenerate into mud traps. There was no vast changes in the senior teams, but it was disturbing to note that so many of the youthful replacements were greatly lacking in the basic skills of the game. In general the standard of play, even for the early part of the season, was disappointing. x Results were:— University 3, Aranui 0. Digbys 1, Rawhiti 0. Carlton 3, West Old Girls «. Harewood 5, Hinemoa 2. Cartion v. West Old Girls This match was neither eventful nor exciting. Carlton’s superiority was due to some thrust in its forward line and to complete lack of cohesion in the West vanguard. For Carlton J. Wilson Is developing into a good goal-keeper, and L. Drummond at left-back was .very reliable on defence. The new centre-half, J. Rogers from Wellington. needs to give greater attention to supporting her forwards on attack. At righthalf J. Witte provided sound defensive covering, and used her improving stickwork to advantage. J. Chivers was always prominent at inside-right, and combined intelligently with G. Phillips at centre-forward. The West defence was t.jld together by A. Malins at centrehalf, who trapped effectively and cleared strongly, although slow ih retreating. The backs, B. Kelly and J. Gunn, received little support from the wing halves, and were in difficulty whenever their opponents attacked through the centre. The only forward to show any ability was A. Phelong. Goals were scored for Carlton by G Phillips (2) and E. Hastie. Dlgbys v. Rawhiti Dlgbys possesses a difficult defence to penetrate because B. Makinson is probably the best goal-keeper in New Zealand today, ■ and all opponents will experience considerable difficulty in placing the ball in the Digby’s net. As a spectacle this match was spoiled because of the number of breaches which appeared to escape detection. For Digbys M. Wood and G. Blunden proved competent backs, N. Stupples at right-half harried her opponents repeatedly, and K. Coe made a reasonable debut at centre-half. The wings, C. Mullaly and M. Healey, made some good runs, but the inside forwards demonstrated that opportunism without skill was not enough. The Ra,whiti defence was dominated by N. Lennie, whose trapping, stickwork and positional play were far superior to the skills of ner colleagues. The forwards lacked combination. and their passes were more often of greater value to the opposition than to themselves. The Digbys goal was scored by S. Wood, who followed a previous shot with speed and determination. Harewood v. Hinemoa Harewood appeared to be below its best, but ’Hinemoa deserved credit for its tireless efforts. Harewood’s defence was often slow to recover, and the passing of the halves, L. Watson and J. Paget, was often nullified by tile reluctance df their inside forwards to seek unmarked positions On the right-wing D Eddy moved with i eterminatlon and speed, I reatenlng the Hinemoa goal

whenver she cut infield. H. Turner was closely marked, but the other inside forwards. G. Muirson and L. Motz, appeared to lack the skill to exploit this situation. A. Giles was outstanding on Hinemoa’s right-wing. her ability to control the ball at speed producing many dangerous attacks. At inside-right she would be of even greater value to her team. An acquisition to the forward line was J. Storer at inside-left because of her good dribbling and tenacious backtackling. Goals were scored for Harewood by H. Turner (4) and G. Muirson, and A. Giles scored twice for Hinemoa. University v. Aranui Although the defending champions, University, gained a win by a comfortable margin, the territorial exchanges were fairly even. University’s superiority was based on the greater technical skill of Its players individually, and it did not move with the fluent precision of its best performances. T. Minehan and F. Kelly were always prominent In the University attack, and the halves. J. Gainsford. A. Colville and S. Comer, proved a • formidable trio, the latter's cover defence being as outstanding as her stickwork and passing. J. Pawsey showed improvement in goal, playing more decisively. B. Strong made some good saves in the Aranui goal, and A. Fleete at right-half was the mainstay of the defence in addition to initiating many attacks with intelligent passing. The best of the forwards were the left flank pair, G. Meyer and M. O’Brien. The University goals were scored by F. Kelly (2) and T. Minehan.