WOMEN'S HOCKEY Carlton’s Defeat Was Surprise

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30794, 5 July 1965, Page 15

WOMEN'S HOCKEY Carlton’s Defeat Was Surprise

The tenth round of senior women's hockey was played in fine overhead conditions, but on very heavy grounds. The main surprise was Digby’s defeat of the second team, Carlton, while University and West reversed first round results by inflicting heavy defeats on Rawhiti and Hinemoa respectively. Results: Digbys 2, Carltan 1. Harewood 4, Aranui 0. University 6, Rawhiti 1. West 4, Hinemoa 0. Points: Harewood 9, Carlton 7J, Rawhiti 6, University 6, Digbys 4i, Aranui 4, Hinemoa 11, West 11. UNIVERSITY V. RAWHITI University gave its best performance this season when it overwhelmed Rawhiti in a display of fast, controlled hockey. The positional play of the defence was sound and this, allied to good trapping and sound tackling, enabled it to provide the forwards with a liberal supply of the ball. They, In turn, varied the attack with short-passing movements, skilful use of the through pass into unmarked defensive areas and quick breaks into a relatively empty circle. Both backs, G. Falloon and L. Otter, covered each other well and tackled resolutely. A. Colville again dominated the midfield, her quick, accurate trapping and passing being a feature of her game. J. Paget played very well on the right wing, her speed, anticipation and skilful dribbling creating many openings for her other forwards. F. Whitehead was also a constant threat and her elusive dribbling into the circle created several goals.

Rawhiti had no real answer to University and this game revealed serious weaknesses in its defence, one of the main ones being lack of adequate covering. K. Grainger, left-back, showed improved form, but lacked support. The forwards, although lively in the circle, failed to link with their hard-pressed defence and much of their passing in mid-field was badly directed, providing University with a generous supply of the ball. University’s goals were scored by F. Whitehead (3) and K. MeKerrow (3). M. Cunningham scored for Rawhiti. Umpires l : Mrs Fifield and Mrs Powell. WEST v. HINEMOA

West won this game because it adapted itself more successfully to the heavy ground than did Hinemoa. Its players hit the ball hard and relied more on passing, whereas Hinemoa underhit its passes and over-dribbled the ball.

In the West team, V. Piper, right-wing, showed Improved form and made a number of breaks, while R. Eastwick, leftinner, back-tackled relentlessly. D. Donaldson supported her forwards well on attack and K. Wilkinson was very steady at left-back. Hinemoa tried hard, but the inexperience of its young players was revealed in this game. There was far too much dribbling by defenders, as well as forwards, and when passes were made they were underhit. Both these faults enabled West to make some vital interceptions which led to goals, and they also gave the West defence time to deploy in the face of Hinemoa attacks. West’s goals were scored by A. Pheloung (2), R. Eastwick and a Hinemoa defender. Umpires: Mrs Alston and Miss T. Minehan. HAREWOOD V. ARANUI Although the winning margin was not as flattering as the first round, Harewood was clearly the better team. It had the extra skill in the forwards to make the final opportunity for a goal. In the Aranui team, apart from A. Ruston, the halves did not back up closely enough and allowed Harewood to win possession in this area. The foundation for Harewood’s success was laid by the inside forwards who were a very

'effective combination. Even it the passes were not always given, there was always support from another player.

Both L. Rutledge and L. Harrow back tackled tigerishly. Rutledge, in particular, was always seeking to make play even if her team is on defence. N. Motz moved through gaps with speed and certainty. The best of the Aranui players was A. Ruston who is playing soundly this season. Her support on attack often brought her near scoring. Although under heavy pressure, the goalkeeper made many fine saves and but for her the score would have been much higher. At no stage did the Aranui forwards give up and they made some promising movements. M. O’Brien played well on the wing but was not fed accurately enough. The goal scorers were: N. Motz (2), L. Rutledge and L. Harrow. The umpires were Mrs Alston and Miss Makinson. CARLTOM v. DIGBYS There was little between these two teams, with each side having a period of ascendancy. The Carlton forwards -were not able to adapt their short-passing methods to the sticky conditions and the slow passes were intercepted by the quick Digbys players .

The Digbys defence was hard to penetrate because of the speed with which all members covered. N. Stuppies and P. Fleweiiyn were both safe against the incoming forwards and D. Quinn supported the forwards well on attack. S. Riches’s positional play was so good that there were few openings for the forwards through the centre’. 11. Healey made many runs down the left wing and hunted for play when the ball was loose. For Carlton, S. Comer did a tremendous amount of work both in the circle on defence and in creating openings for the forwards. I. Witte trapped soundly and contained the rightwing threat more than adequately. Much of the harrasslng was done by A. Howman who back tackled incessantly and tried desperately hard to break into the circle. G. Phillips made some fine runs and her extra speed took her right past her marker several times. She was very unlucky not to score an equalising goal in the last few minutes. N. Morris scored both Digby’s goals while. G. Phillips scored for Carlton. Umpires: Mrs Gray and Mrs Bowyer.

Lower Grades

Senior Reserve.—Digbys 6, Aranui 1; Hornby 12, Shirley 1; Harewood 2, University 1. Second Grade.—Burnside S, Rawhiti 0; Shirley 2, West 1; Teachers’ College 4, Technical 0.

Third Grade.—Harewood 2, West High School 2; Hornby 4, Teachers' College 3; Aranui 3, Digbys 2. Fourth Grade.—Digbys 3, Belfast 0; West Old Girls 10, Harewood 1; Carlton 7, Burnside 3. Fifth Grade.—Shirley 4, Hinemoa 0.

Sixth Grade.—Rawhiti 7, West Old Girls 0.

Seventh Grade.—Digbys 10, Shirley 0; Rawhiti 5, Belfast 2.