Women’s Hockey University And Carlton Win; Two Games Drawn

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30129, 13 May 1963, Page 8

Women’s Hockey University And Carlton Win; Two Games Drawn

The four senior women’s: hockey matches on Saturday produced two convincing win»—to University and Carlton—end fine efforts by West Old Girls and Aranui in holding their higher-placed opponents to one-all draws. As a result ot those games, only one point separates the top five teams, the points held being Carlton 2j, Rawhiti 2j, University 2, Harewood 2. Aranui lj, Digby’s 1, West Old Girls J, Hinemoa 0. Results of the games were: University 7, Harewood 0. Aranui 1, Rawhiti 1. West Old Girls 1, Digby's 1. UNIVERSITY V. HAREWOOD An exhilarating display of constructive hockey by the University forwards—in particular—gave last year’s competition winners a surprisingly comfortable, but wen-merited 1-0 win over an outclassed Harewood team. In its two earlier games this season, the obviously talented University forwards had shown a tendency to over-dribble and not combine as well as they could—or should—have done. However. on Saturday all that was gone and when one of the vanguard realised that she could go no further, the ball was passed accurately and swiftly to a supporting team-mate. With the centre-forward, F. Whitehead, netting almost from the whistle, and the captain, T. Minehan (inside-right), following suit shortly afterwards. University was given all the confidence it needed to settle the issue. For once it was not the half and back-lines that took the eye, competently as they played. Because of the lack of thrustful inside-forwards in the Harewood team, University’s centre-half, S. M. Comer, was not required to be as prominent as usual. The presiding genii were Whitehead and Minehan. Minehan played a better, constructive forward game than any seen this year. She indulged in the occasional soio dribble—with considerable success—but as a rule was content with attacking per medium of well-oontrolled passes to her wing (P. Anderson) and centreforward. where Whitehead was at her irresistible best. Whitehead’s effervescent —and most unselfish —display suggested even more strongly that she would be Canterburys' best choice as the representative centre-forward. But these two were not the only forwards: K. McKerrow turned in a neat, thoughtful game at inside-left and struck up an excellent combination with Whitehead; P. Anderson (right-wing) appreciated Minehan’s unselfish service and made a number of dangerous runs: and L. Kearns (left-wing) assisted her inside and centreforwards to make Harewood's defence work overtime. The margin of University’s win could in no way be attributed to any deficiencies in the play of the Harewood trio on the right half of the field. D. Eddy (wing) was not fed as much perhaps as she should have been, and this encouraged ner to do a little individual foraging. What runs she did make were thrustful and hinted at danger for University, but these only served to accentuate Harewood's loss at not having inside-forwards with better supporting powers. J. Murray (right-back), although not covering herself in as much glory as perspiration, toiled diligently in trying to plug the gaps that appeared in her team’s defence from time to time but found the job of marking Whitehead, McKerrow and Kearns a little difficult to say the least. J. Paget (righthalf) covered assiduously and gave an improved performance from the previous week. Whitehead (4), Minehan, McKerrow and Anderson scored for University. ARANUI V. RAWHITI Only a tentative approach to the business of scoring goals prevented Aranui—second to the bottom last year—from achieving an upset by defeating the present co-leaders of the competition, Rawhiti. As it was, the team’s performance of leading until five minutes before time and then sharing a very creditable draw was worthy of high praise. Time and again the Aranui forwards, so ably spearheaded by the centre-forward S. Cowles, would beat the backs but seem reluctant to take an unfair advantage of the goalkeeper (J. Bowyer) in her isolation. Perhaps it stemmed from a lack of confidence, surprise at getting as far as the inside of the circle, or just plain nervousness; whatever it was, its overcoming would have benefitted Aranui considerably. One of the most encouraging aspects of the game—from Aranui's potat-of-view—must have been the display given by the youthful left-half, E. McCaw. Although not showing the polish of the more experienced A. Ruston (right-half). McCaw played a very neat game, impressing with her sound and thoughtful distribution and showing promise of better things. Ruston, although subject to attempts at cramping her style, shook herself free sufficiently to get through a considerable amount of covering work and wasted no opportunity to help her right-wing, M. O’Brien, who was waging a great war with the experienced Rawhiti left-back, N. Lennie. The custodian. B. Strong, played an exceptional game and Rawhiti's only goal resulted when she appeared to be unsighted. One hard drive from the stick of Rawhiti's H. Walker (inside-left) was palmed out in a manner that was little short of miraculous. Carlton 5. Hinemoa 0. Walker was not as prominent for Rawhiti as usual and this could be because of the speed with which the Aranui coverdefence came back whenever Walker's runs look threatening. The best of the Rawhiti forwards was probably J. Hayes, who made some speedy, but well controlled runs down the right-wing. A feature of the game was the duel waged between Hayes and J. McNaughton (the Aranui left-back): neither > player lost anything in reputation but probably gained in experience. The goals—both within ten minutes before full-time—were scored by F. Thompson (Aranui left-wing) and the Rawhiti inside-right, M. Cunningham. WEST OLD GIRLS v. DIGBY’S It was to West Old Girls’ disadvantage that their best day in the field coincided with a day when the ball refused to go in the net; a pity for this improving team as they had. if anything. the bulk oil the play, and deserved—ever no slightly— to win. The probable reason for West ■ Old Girls’ improved showing ■ was that they placed more of an emphasis on through—as opposed to square passes. This enabled them to make more positive progress and gave the forwards more scope for their ’ attacking talents. J. Cockle (inside-right) gave some signs ; especially , the first half when the right- ■ sXi^^“T£ v %; * xorwaras lunctionea much mere as a unit and engaged in the oc-

casional passing sorties between themselves at times. The new goalie. Z. Berg, shaped in a promising fashion. Upon meeting the determined West defence, the Digby's forward line revealed its deficiencies and, probably because of the new combination on both wings, did not have the ideal understanding. Another disappointing feature was the offday experienced by that very talented centre-half, S. Riches. It is an experience that comes to most, and K. Coe (right-half) took the opportunity to make her own presence felt with some fine covering. M. Morris (inside-right) was one forward to control the ball well and she also stood out for some effective back-tackling. D. McKjnnell (centre-forward) scored for Digby’s and E. Frizzell. the West centre-forward, for her team. CARLTON v. HINEMOA The difference between these two teams—Carlton, the coleaders, and the Hinemoa, the lowest placed team—lay in the forward lines. The more experienced Carlton vanguard hunted the loose ball better and, with more opportunities than the Hinemoa forwards, kept rather more occupied. J. Rogers, the Carlton centrehalf) supported her forwards in fine fashion, varying her play well and passing especially accurately. J. Chilvers made a promising change to the forwards and her play at insideright contributed in no small degree to the number of scoring chances that the centreforward. G. Phillips, was provided with. Hinemoa felt the loss of three forwards and its limited opportunities foundered on the solid Carlton defence. An exception to that rule would probably be E. Melrose (centre-forward), who attacked in a lively fashion that deserved material reward. To try and overcome the missing links m the forward line, J. Capstick (centre-half) shared her duties between covering the centre-half’s traditional area—most of the field —and filling the role of extra inside-forward. This she made an accomplished job of. The Hinemoa captain and goalkeeper, R. Black, set her customary high standard and prevented the total from mounting to indecent proportions Phillips scored all of Carlton's five goals—for the second successive week.

Lower Grade Results Senior Reserve.—Digbv’s 3. Harewood 2; Shirley 2. Digby’s 1; Hornby 6. Harewood 2. Third Grade—West High 1. Harewood 0. Fourth Grade.—Shirley 5 Rawhiti 0; Harewood 2. Shirley 2: Digby’s 2. Harewood 0. Fifth Grade.—B.R.A. 7, Digby’s 1. . Sixth Grade.-—Belfast 5 Harewood 0; Western 5, Shirley 0. Seventh Grade.—Rawhiti 1, Rangiora 0.

Malvern Results

Results of matches played in the Malvern women's hockey competition on Saturday were: Senior.—Sheffield 2 Kirwee 1; Greendale 1, Coalgate 1; Darfield 6. Halkett 2. Junior.—Darfield 3, Halkett 0: Kirwee 2. Sheffield 0; Coalgate 8, Greendale 0.