Grounds mar stick skills

Press, 14 April 1980, Page 23

Grounds mar stick skills

Heavy, grounds covered with lush grass made it difficult for players to use their skills to advantage in the first; round of the senior women’s hockey competition at Hagley Park on Saturday. Results were: Woolston-Rawhiti 1, Burnside 1; Carlton 2, University 0; Linwood United 2, Digbys 0; Harewood 1, Cranmer 0. WOOLSTON-RAWHITI V. BURNSIDE The match was fast and open and both teams had many opportunities to score. Woolston, in the first-half, made several attacks through the centre with the three inside forwards combining well. After early pressure Julie Reid scored from a penalty corner. Burnside fought back and looked certain to score when a melee developed in the Woolston goalmouth, but an infringement allowed Woolston to clear the circle. In the second-half Burnside found new energy. Jane Earnshaw and Judy Phillips led many attacks without success. Chris McAulay and Jill Barry cleared well and the ball moved rapidly from end to end.

Near full-time with Woolston defending successive corners, Burnside was rewarded with a penalty-stroke from which Judy Phillips scored. CARLTON V. UNIVERSITY

Carlton appeared, on paper, to have a much stronger team than University. However, University surprised with its fitness and sound defence and almost caused the upset of the day. Carlton was without its New Zealand centre-half, Pat Barwick, and its mid-field play lacked cohesion and purpose. Only the fitness of Isabel Knight and Shirley Haig in the latter stages carried Carlton through. In the first-half Carlton was on attack much of the time but solid play by the University defence kept Carlton out. The second-half produced a similar pattern with Susan Johnson and Jill Cooper defending desperately. Mrs Haig’s tireless work throughout was finally rewarded when in the sixty-third minute she pierced the defence. A few minutes later she again scored to make the game safe. LINWdOD UNITED V. DIGBYS

For the first 20 minutes Digbys looked like a winning team. Good defence, however, by Robyn Rosevear, kept Digbys from scoring. Fortunes changed and Linwood United gained the upper hand until full-time. Good runs by Vivienne Cowles

on the left wing kept the ball in the Digbys half. Joanne Smith I broke up many attacks and with well directed passes kept the Digbys circle free. After. a penalty-comer Lois Surgenar scored for Linw’ood United. Play remained in midfield with both teams trying to gain the ' advantage. Digbys pressed hard and was given many penalty-corners but could not score. Linwood United broke through and after, some good passing Sue Spivey scored Linwood’s second goal. HAREWOOD v. CRANMER It was not until after 60 minutes that Alison Sutherland scored the only goal. It was against the run of play as Cranmer had been on attack for most of the game. In the first-half wild passes and mistakes led to many constructive movements breaking down. Cranmer had numerous shots at goal, but good goalkeeping by Elaine 'Jensen denied Cranmer goals. The second-half was a repeat of the first. Both teams passed the ball about swiftly. Jan Duggan and Barbara Mitchell worked tirelessly for Cranmer. In the latter stages the heavy ground took Its toll and play became a little ragged. It was at this stage that Harewood scored. Interest remained until the final whistle as both teams fought frantically to score. LOWER GRADES Lower grade women’s hockey matches played on Saturday resulted:— Senior reserve.—Hinemoa 3, Burnside 2; Carlton 5, Harewood 0; Pegasus 7, Digbys 0; Woolston 2, University 0. First grade.—Woolston B 2, Hornby 0; Rangiora 2, Burnside 1; Woolston A 5. Cranmer 1.