Women Students Established Fine Record On Hockey Tour

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30856, 15 September 1965, Page 15

Women Students Established Fine Record On Hockey Tour

'THE New Zealand Univer--1 sities’ women’s hockey team, which has just returned from a three-week tour of Australia, established a fine record. In the 15 games played it won 13, drew one, and lost one, scoring 97 goals and having only six goals registered against it.

When one takes into consideration the fact that it was a team of relatively experienced players, plus the fact that 15 games were played in three weeks and that a considerable amount of travelling had to be done, then the team’s record is a most commendable one.

Its strategy Tvas based upon sound trapping, use of the short-passing game, with the forwards retreating quickly to link with the defence. The defence was based upon quick covering.

When these principles were operating effectively, opposing Australian teams could find no counter to them. The style of the

N.Z.U. team provided an interesting contrast to the trend in Australian hockey

of hard-hitting players, relying on bustling tactics rather than on accurate passing and skill, and whose defensive tactics did not provide any covering in depth.

The outstanding player in the team was A. Colville, the captain and centre-half. Her skilful stickwork, sound trapping and accurate passing enabled her to direct play with comparative ease and to establish complete domination of the mid-field area.

K. Pyatt, at left-half, made a vital contribution to her team's success because

of her trapping and the high quality of her covering. At right-half, S. Haden was an outstanding attacking half.

In the backs, E. Johnson was the mainstay because of her quick footwork and positioning which enabled her to break up many attacks. while G. Falloon and L. Otten were both very sound. In goal, V. Holmes had comparatively little to do, but enough was seen of her to prove that she was an outstanding goalkeeper.

The best forward was the left wing, T. Cumberland, who was a fast, elusive

dribbler, and whose passing was always accurate. B. Valiant, at centre-forward, was a tireless worker and her tremendous acceleration and quick following-in made her a constant threat. S. Syme and L. Johnson back-tackled effectively and were dangerous in the circle, while J. Fisher at right-inner was a skilful dribbler who possessed a hard shot in the circle.

On the right wing, J. Paget was unfortunate in being injured, but she did reveal skilful stiekwork, while J- Hogg, who replaced her. revealed unexpected ability in this position, providing most useful thrust to the forward line. It was unfortunate that the team's only loss came in the game against Combined Australian Universities at the end of the tour, the score being 2-1. In retrospect it would appear that an uncharacteristic lack of combination among the forwards, plus the lack of sufficient hard games prior to the test contributed in no small measure to this loss. w