Frantic search for fields

Press, 1 August 1977, Page 22

Frantic search for fields

After a frantic search for suitable playing fields senior women’s liuckev teams managed to get through another round of their competition on Saturday, some players had to wait to! Friday to learn whether or not! they would be able to play. Carlton once again showed its potential by beating University 6-0. and some good attacking moves by Digbys contributed to Its win against the more highly rated Cranmer team. Sound forward play by Woolston-Rawhiti allowed it to beat Harewood in spite of this team’s sound defence and Burnhide defeated Linwood United in a game marred by scrappy hockey. *

Carlton 6, University 0 Although University played well, it stood no real chance, with Carlton showing its old torm b> notching up a tally it has rafely achieved In recent games.

Carlton* was making manyrushes downfield, although not breaking through University’s defence as often as could have been expected. It was getting the breaks, however, and University was leaving gaps in centre-field that opposing players easily took advantage of. At half-time the score was 3-0, with Shirley Haig having made one of the goals from a penalty corner. The other two were field goals, as were the three scored after half-time.

Haig and Isabel Knight were Ss-oring well. Knight making one of hers from a spectacularly accurate pass by Jane Wilson. The game was not quite as uneven a* the score would indicate. and University had several chances at goal. Doreen Ambrose looked likely to narrow Carlton's lead at cne stage with a wellaimed shot, but the ball hit the goalpost Oigbys 1, Cranmer 0 Although Cranmer is rated fourth In the tournament and

Digby seventh, this did not prevent Cranmer from being beaten in a manner similar to Its 2-0 loss st their last meeting. Digbys's style of play once again seemed to daunt Cranmer. although both were showing sign- of lethargv resulting from the broken season. Cranmer played competently but was lacking something, and missed several wide-open shots at goal through slow reactions There were some very good attacking moves bv Digbvs. especially on the right wing. But the ball control was not all it might have been and players were often letting it run on ahead of them to he intercepted

i by the opposing team. IDigbys's Alison Chivers scored the game’s only goal at the end of the first quarter, from a penalty corner. ! Diana McKinnel made a brilliant save shortly afterwards during a dangerous melee around the goalmouth. Her goalie. June Edwards,' had come well out to fend off Cranmer’s attack, and this moment of vulnerability would have been taken advantage of but for McKinnel. Near the end of the first half Chivers was struck with a stick above her left eye as a Cranmer Player recoiled from the ball. Chivers was able to keep playing for a while until the resultant swelling forced her off the field in the third quarter. After half-time Digbys was granted In quick succession, two long corners, a penalty corner, and another long corner; but was unable to do anything with its opportunities.

Woolston-Rawhiti 2, Harewood 0

Woolston-Rawhiti defeated Harewood for the second time this season after making greater use of its chances in spite of a fairtv even match. Chris Taylor scored both goals lor Woolston-Rawhiti. one tn each half. An unobtrusive player, she always positions herself well and Is there when she is needed. ’ The whole forward line looked dangerous at times but it was the centre half. Donna Paviell, who put a stop to many Harewood attacks The score could well have been higher in Woolston-Rawhiti’s favour except for the reliable footwork of the Harewood goalie Jenny Hamilton. She was often under pressure and made at least three fine saves. Harewood’s defence was on the whole very sound and Lynette Sutherland did a particularly good iob clearing the ball. However. the forwards lacked cohesion and could not match Woolston-Rawhiti attacks In spite of hard work by Lyn Schulz on the inside left. Burnside 4, Linwood United 1

Burnside beat Linwood by a convincing margin after most of the play had been centred in the Linwood half. The Burnside forwards passed well and bv half time the team was two goals up. Jan Collerton scored first after a neat nass from Julia Allen set up by Kathleen Blyth, and later Chris de Spa found the goal after a fine back oass from Helen Denney. In the second half Helen had her turn to score after a pass from the right wing then de Spa completed Burnside’s tally The game proved to be very I roueh in spite of the relatively good ground conditions. Linwood, United plavers made some crude 1 tackles and spent too much of' the game on the defensive preventing open constructive hockey Kat’ileen Blyth played well for) Burnside and ablv set up nlay’ for the right nine and right: inner

Points:— P W LDF A Pts Carlton 12 12 0 0 51 5 24 W-Rswhltl 12 7 3 2 25 17 16 Burnside 12 « 3 3 31 22 15 (ranmer 12 4 S 3 19 13 11 Hire wood 12 3 5 4 13 17 10 University 12 4 6 2 19 17 10 Digbys 12 4 7 1 14 M 9 Linwood-U 12 0 It 1 8 44 1