Women’s hockey

Press, 17 April 1978, Page 18

Women’s hockey

Most teams had difficulty in trapping the ball when the senior women’s hockey competition opened on very bumpy grounds on Saturday.

Last year’s winner, Carlton, the runner-up, Rawhiti, and played out a keenly fought highscoring draw while Harewood and Burnside recorded wins in the other two matches played.

The fourth match was deferred because a promotionrelegation match had to be played between Linwood United and Aranui. Linwood United clearly won this game, 4-0. Carlton 4, Rawhiti 4

Carlton attacked from the opening bully and was the stronger team in the first quarter. Jane Wilson (left half), playing in a new position opened the scoring for Carlton.

Shortly after L. Langham passed the ball through for Jean Catherwood to pick up and run strongly to put a short pass in to 1. Knight who scored to put Carlton 2-0 ahead.

At this stage of the game Rawhiti improved and after a penalty stroke against Carlton was won by Debbie Hockley play became very even.

Rawhiti’s second goal resulted in Chris Taylor scoring from a pass well placed behind the

backs by Hockley. Half-time score: 2-2. Play in the second half was fast and the teams were well matched. Lois McCartney scored for Rawhiti off a rebound. As the play see-sawed up and down the field so too did the score as Catherwood scored for Carlton.

McCartney added a further goal for Rawhiti. This was followed by a good goal' from the edge of the circle by H. Colenso (Carlton) to equalise. Harewood 2, Dlgbys 1

These teams were evenly matched in a lack-lustre first half. The bumpy ground did. nothing to help players control the ball. Good play was spoilt by hard hitting on attack thereby losing the ball to the opposition or over the back-line. Both teams were too slow to the ball. Henrietta Carroll scored for Harewood to make the score 1-0 at half-time. Tlte standard improved in the second half with better passing and control. Carroll gave Harewood another P'Ant when with a well controlled shot she took the ball up and beat the back.

Digby’s was on attack much more at this stage of the match and nearly scored twice but

over-keenness and lack of con-; trol prevented the score. Helen Phillips scored well from a corner to make the final score, 2-1, in Harewood’s favour. Burnside 3, University 1 Both teams were inclined to be far too individual in the first half, resulting in missed opportunities. With neither team holding an advantage play ranged up and down the field and it was close to half-time before Burnside opened the scoring. Judith Phillips dribbled the ball into the circle and passed to Helen Denny who scored.

Burnside played with, more ■purpose in the second half and gradually gained control. Barbara McCalliam (right wing) scored after some much improved team work. The University halves were backing up well with E. Brooker spreading the play and T. Williams intercepting well. With improved passing University attacked through the centre and Doreen Ambrose scored to give Burnside the lead. Burnside’s inside trio were combining well when Helen Denny with a lovely jab shot pushed the ball through the defence and scored when the University goalie mis-kicked.