WOMENS HOCKET Carlton’s Loss Has Left Title Open

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31090, 20 June 1966, Page 15

WOMENS HOCKET Carlton’s Loss Has Left Title Open

The women's hockey competition leader, Carlton, suffered its first defeat of the season in a hard-fought game won by last year’s champion side. Harewood. Although Carlton still retains its lead, three other teams are within striking distance and the competition at this stage is very open. Results: Hartwood 2, Carlton 1. Aranul S, Hamby 3. Olgbya 1, Unlvarslty 0. Rawhltl g. Wait g. Points: Carlton 81, Aranul 8, Digbys 6, Harewood 51, Rawhiti 41, University 11, Hornby 1, West 1. Harewood's win was well deserved because it played with great determination and had superior combination and teamwork. This was particularly noticeable in the second half when Harewood was able to maintain constant pressure on Carlton’s defence, but it was aided in this by the reluctance of the Carlton forwards to retreat to link with their defenders. Thus Harewood’s halves were able to intercept many clearances and return play to their lively forward line. J Murray, at right-back, played an outstanding game because of her skilful stickwork, quick, accurate passing, and sound positional play. She received useful support from G. Saunders. who tackled well, while S. Lynch, at right-half, showed improved form, giving her forwards close support on attack and providing vital covering on deep defence. L. Rutledge, at right-inner, was the best forward on the field, and her determined backtackling, skilful and elusive dribbling, and accurate passing made a vital contribution to her team's success. She received good support from L. Baylis and N. Motz, both of whom hunted the ball tirelessly on defence and attack.

For Carlton, L. Drummond tackled well and made some good Interceptions, while S. Comer, S. Thompson, and E. White defended resolutely and made every attempt to set their team on attack. That they were unable to do this is a reflection on the Carlton forwards who, although rearranged because of the loss of A. Giles through injury, failed to retreat to within short-passing distance of their defence. Nor did they backtackle sufficiently, and this placed an added burden on the defence.

D. Eddy, at right-wing, and A. Howman tolled hard but lacked support from their other forwards, whose Interest In the game at times appeared only academic. J. Wilson and S. Turner scored for Harewood, and G. Phillips for Carlton. ARAHUI V. HORNBY In a high-scoring game, Aranui’s greater experience eventually enabled them comfortably to defeat Hornby after holding only a narrow 4-3 lead at halftime. For Aranul, F. Musson and J. Morris covered well and broke up many Hornby attacks. A. Ruston (right-half) trapped well and provided good support

on attack because of her accurate passing. lit the second half the Aranul forwards began to combine better as a unit, and their speed and control enabled them to dominate the game. Both wings. F. Thomson and J. Oliver, made strong runs and fed the ball to the inside-forward trio of S. Cowles, J. Davies and W. McNabb, who back-tackled well and were always lively In the circle.

Hornby's effort was a commendable one because the forwards were handicapped by receiving a poor and spasmodic supply of the ball from the defence, yet they were still able to score goals with their limited opportunities. B. Tale dribbled well on the right wing, and J. Flnnle passed well, both players providing scoring opportunities which the inside forwards. M Bennett and W. Everest, were quick to seize. Aranui's goals were scored by J. Davies. S. Cowles (3). J. Olliver F. Thomson, and W. McNabb. W. Everest and M. Bennett (2) scored for Hornby. DIGBYS V. UNIVERSITY This was a most disappointing match, neither team being able to reproduce its form of the Crevious week. It was marred y many breaches and extremely liberal use of the whistle in the early stages, and as a result players found it difficult to settle down and the game sputtered along spasmodically. B. Makinson blocked and kicked strongly in goal and D. McKinnell made some good interceptions. S. Riches trapped well and her sound positional play enabled her to break up many University attacks. B. Turbott made some good breaks at Inside-right and M. Morris back-tackled well. For University, L. McAllister tackled resolutely at left-back and K. Pyatt's passing at lefthalf was always accurate. J. Fisher worked hard at centreforward and J. Paget made some skilful runs on the right-wing. B. Turbott scored the only goal for Digbys. RAWHITI V. WEST Rawhiti completely overwhelmed West in a match which exposed West's lack of strategy on both defence and attack, failures upon which Rawhli was quick to capitalise. Rawhiti’s deep defence was barely tested and A. Rouse, the centre-half, was able to deal with the occasional West sortie with comparative ease. The forwards were lively, backtackling well, and their passing showed considerable improvement. J. Hayes made some good runs and provided her in-side-forwards with a liberal sppuly of the ball. J. Welles hunted the ball with enthusiasm and H. Walker was a constant threkt in the circle. West’s reliance on its leftflank as its main avenue of attack was ill-advised and unsuccessful, while its deep defence was extremely unsound because of a lack of close marking and covering, and some very inaccurate passing which Rawhiti accepted gratefully. Under the circumstances, J. Lister, In goal, did well to keep the score as low as she did.

Rawihti’s goals were scored by H. Walker (3). J. Hayes (2). and J. Welles (2).