K CUP WOMEN’S HOCKEY Top Teams Win Comfortably

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32392, 3 September 1970, Page 9

K CUP WOMEN’S HOCKEY Top Teams Win Comfortably

(From Our Own Reporter)

ASHBURTON.

Hawke’s Bay, Auckland and Otago continued their unbeaten ways in the major division of the national women’s hockey tournament yesterday.

Hawke’s Bay had another comfortable win, 3-0, on the fourth day’s play, although Wairarapa caused some concern when it prevented the Bay from scoring until 10 minutes before half-time.

Auckland, a prolific scorer at the tournament, with 24 goals in four matches and none against, yesterday beat Whangarei, 64). Otago also won easily, 7-2, against Manawatu.

Hawke’s Bay has only to draw today to be the finalist from its section, while Auckland and Otago, with four wins each in Section B, will meet to decide the other finalist If they draw, they will play-off tomorrow. Favoured Team Held

The only upset of the day was in the minor division, where Central Otago, one of the favourites, was held to a 2-2 draw by Southland Central and Poverty Bay, the present holders of the Mills Cup, meet today. It was all Wairarapa for the first 20 minutes against Hawke’s Bay yesterday. It forced the champion side into many errors ’ y its quick switches of play. However, Wairarapa could not score, began to tire, and Bay slowly took control of the game. M. Weston and M. Hiha (2) scored for Hawke’s Bay. The Wairarapa defence stood firm under constant pressure during the second half, and outstanding were the full-backs, N. Lee and L.

Duley, who spoilt many Bay attacks with quick tackling. Although Auckland won by a convincing margin against the young Whangarei team, it was by no means an easy match. The fast-breaking Northland forwards presented several problems for the experienced Auckland defence. Auckland’s scorers were M. Donnelly (2), C. Oyler (2), L. Carruthers and C. Dowrick. After taking a 7-0 lead midway through the second half, Otago relaxed and Manawatu fought back to score twice, by S. Kearney and M. Silcock, in the last 10 minutes. P. Forrester (5), M. Jenkins and D. Fraser netted for Otago. Canterbury was a much improved side in holding Eastern Southland to a 1-0 win. On general play Canterbury was probably equal to Eastern Southland but the team’s inability to finish several short passing movements again proved its downfall. The positional play of the forwards was better than in the first three matches. S. Sanson scored for Eastern. Ashburton fought out a 2-2 draw with South Canterbury. J. McKay and L. Gordon scored for Ashburton and S. Woodhouse and J. Gibson for South Canterbury.

Major Division Section A.—Hawke's Bay 3. Wairarapa 0; Eastern Southland 1, Canterbury 1; Waikato 5, South Auckland 0. Section B.—Otago 7, Manawatu 2; Maniototo 1, Wellington 0: Auckland 8. Whangarei 0. Minor Division Section A.—Rangitikei 4. Nelson 3; Taranaki 5, Bay of Plenty 0: South Canterbury 2. Ashburton 2. Section B.—North Otago 4, Bush 0; Malvern I, South Otago 0: Wanganui 4, Buller 0. Section C.—Poverty Bay 2, Horowhenua 1; Southland 2, Central Otago 2; Tauranga 3, Marlborough 3.