K. CUP HOCKEY Hawke’s Bay Is Favourite

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32391, 2 September 1970, Page 14

K. CUP HOCKEY Hawke’s Bay Is Favourite

(From Our Own Reporter) ASHBURTON. Hawke’s Bay seems assured of a place in the final of the K Cup after its defeat of Waikato on the third day of the national women’s hockey tournament yesterday, and is now the only unbeaten team in Section A of the major division.

In Section B, Auckland and Otago again had wins and are also unbeaten. They meet in the last match of section play tomorrow afternoon.

However, all three had to call on their considerable experience, skill and fitness to ensure victory.

Waikato played above itself against Hawke’s Bay and was down by only one goal at h. ’ftime. With a little luck, it could have been on level terms. One shot early in the match hit a post and two others were desperately blocked by the Bay goalkeeper. Defence Troubled

M. Hiha scored Bay's first! goal just on half-time when she pushed the ball oyer the line from a penalty bully. Then, the Bay caught Waikato off balance at the start of the second half, made several sharp thrusts, and after five minutes Mrs Hiha | ran from the 25 into the circle and scored with an angled shot.

Wellington showed better form against Auckland and held the strong northern side to 1-0 at half-time. In the second half, Auckland’s superior fitness and experience forced Wellington into errors and it added three more goals. M. Donnelly (2), L. Car-

ruthers and C. Coyle scored for Auckland.

Whangarei, a young side yet to win a game, defended well to allow Otago only th) e goals. It fought back from 0-2 to 1-2 early in the second half but Otago gradually took control of the game. P. Forrester and A. Lush netted for Otago and M. Mulholland for Whangarei. Without A Win Canterbury has still to win a game after managing only a draw against South Auckland yesterday. The team is still having difficulty with trapping and tackling and these are letting it down at vital stages. Also, the positional play of the forwards spoilt many attacks when they found ■themselves crowding each (other out.

During the first half, Canterbury made several excellent passing movements from the halfway to the circle but they always broke down at this point through mishitting or mis-trapping. K. McDonald scored for Canterbury and M. Hicks for South Auckland. In the minor (Mills Cup) | division, Taranaki, Central Otago and Poverty Bay are the only teams with three wins. Taranaki yesterday dashed the hopes of the home team, Ashburton, with a 3-2 win. Taranaki had a threegoal lead with 20 minutes remaining but Ashburton scored twice in as many minutes. It continued to force the pace but Taranaki defence held sound. Major Division Section A. —Hawke’s Bay 2, Waikato 0; Canterbury 1, South Auckland 1; Eastern Southland 2, Wairarapa 1. Section B.—Otago 3, Whangarei 1; Auckland 4, Wellington 0; Maniototo 4, Manawatu 2. Minor Division Section A.—South Canterbury 6, Nelson 0; Taranaki 3, Ashburton 2; Bay of Plenty 2, Rangitikei 2. Section B.—North Otago 2, Wanganui 0; South Otago 2, Buller 1; Malvern 3, Bush 2. Section C. —Horowhenua 3, Tauranga 2; Central Otago 2, Marlborough 0; Poverty Bay 2, Southland 1.