Upsets Feature Of N.Z. Women’s Hockey

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31463, 1 September 1967, Page 15

Upsets Feature Of N.Z. Women’s Hockey

"The Press" (Special Service

WANGANUI.

Upsets continue to dominate the national women’s hockey tournament, especially in the minor tournament.

Major section finalists have now emerged with the K Cup likely to remain in the South Island as Eastern Southland and Otago will play the deciding game tomorrow morning.

In the minor section B Poverty Bay lost to Bay of Plenty. This has allowed Malvern to draw in points with Poverty Bay and these two teams must play off today to find the section winner. New Zealand beat The Rest, 5-1, in a game played on the eve of its departure for the international tournament. The win was deserved because of the superiority of the New Zealand forwards, both as individuals and as a unit but the game revealed serious weaknesses in defence. Had The Rest team had a stronger forward line it would have been able to test the New Zealand defence more severely and it would also have helped to relieve the pressure on its own defence. For New Zealand, B. Makinson was not under pressure at any stage in goal, but she blocked and cleared with assurance and good judgement. M. Bruhns, the best of the backs, trapped consistently, tackled judiciously and passed accurately. C. Parkhill and E. Cowdell were not impressive as their trapping was erratic and they showed an unfortunate tendency to commit themselves too soon in their tackles.

The half-line was disappointing. J. Longland at left-half was the most effective because she was more bard-working than her colleagues. A. McKenna, at right-half in the second half, trapped well but she and H. Baird, who was in that position in the first half, played defensively and allowed their wing too much latitude. S. Haden at centre half was

not a success, mistrapping regularly and being often caught out of position. New Zealand’s strength lay in its forward line and S. Eddy, at right-inner, was outstanding. Her ability to hold the ball and her use of the through pass provided the main openings. Fine Game A. Judson revealed speed and opportunism on the right-wing, and M. Hlha and P. Forrester worked when the spirit moved them. M. Donnelly played a fine game on the left-wing, dribHhg with speed and skill. The Rest’s main handicap was a weak forward line. A. Dobson in goal had a busy day and made some spectacular saves of air shots. The backs, M. Chappell and A. McDonald, were a more effective unit than the New Zealand pair, covering quickly and showing better judgment. The half-line, J. Prigger, J. Rutherford and P. Nicholls, although forced Into a defensive role, was not overshadowed.

The New Zealand team should mould into a formidable unit with good coaching, but one is

left with the feeling that certain players were extremely unlucky to miss selection. There is a definite weakness in the New Zealand backs and M. Chappell’s inclusion would have been an advantage. S. Comer’s exclusion at centre-half becomes inexplicable when her form during this tournament if compared with that shown by the centre halves in the New Zealand and Rest teams.