Burnside given close run

Press, 11 May 1981, Page 24

Burnside given close run

Nothing conies easily for Burnside these days. Every team in the senior women’s hockey competition is looking to end Burnside’s winning streak, which now stands at five. None came closer than Carlton on Saturday. Burnside struggled, but stopped Carlton by a 1-0 margin. The crowd of about 75 at Hospital Corner saw an even, fast game — probably the best this season. In other matches on the fast, bumpy fields, Harewood overpowered Sydenham-Cashmere, 4-1; Woolston stunned Linwood United, 9-0; and Selwyn-Hillmorton beat University, 2-0. Results and scorers were: Burnside T (L. Doig), Carlton 0. Harewood 4 (A. Sutherland. M. Flannery. D. Saunders, J. Collerton), Sydenham-Cashmere 1 (P. Gibson). Selwyn-Hillmorton 2 (B. Marshall, N. Sheriff), University 0. Woolston 9 (J. Reid 7, L/.Wilson, S. Duggan), Linwood 0.

Burnside v. Carlton A stunning, hard hit from Burnside's Leanne Doig in the first-half was the decisive stroke in this even match, Doig's shot came after a corner and she slammed the ball from the edge of the circle into the Carlton goal, Burnside began the game quickly, and for a few minutes, looked as though it might outplay Carlton. Carlton, however, did not allow Burnside to set the pace, and soon both teams were fighting for possession. The game developed into a defensive battle. For Carlton, it was certainly the finest defensive performance of the season. In particular, the backs Allison Stewart and Kathy Patterson were instrumental in plugging up Burnside’s offence. The New Zealand representatives Lesley Murdoch and Robyn Blackman shined for Carlton on defence. Burnside's defenders also had a fine day, but its offence made the team tick. After an extremely even first half, Burnside had a slightly stronger assault and applied more pressure. Carlton had two good scoring opportunities after the intermission but both were cancelled by penalties.

the game was filled with out-

standing moves. Trapping, passing and marking were consistently good. Harewood v. Sydenham- T Cashmere Harewood had no trouble dominating the Sydenham squad from the first whistle and 10 minutes into the game Harewood had its first goal. It came on a penalty stroke by Alison Sutherland. Janet Collerton scored another goal before the interval when she profited on a fine cross shot. Sydenham spent most of the first-half desperately trying to defend. But signs of improvement are evident for the team at the bottom of the competition. Harewood remained in control during the second-half. Except for a burst of enthusiasm following Priscella Gibson’s penalty stroke, Sydenham spent far more time on defence than on offence. Debbie Saunders and Marie Flannery gave Harewood two more goals during the second-half. Woolston v. Linwood It was just one of those days. Nothing could have gone more against Linwood United. It produced some of its problems by committing too many fundamental errors and by seemingly keeping its distance from the ball. The other constant headache for Linwood was Woolston’s centre forward, Julie Reid. She scored seven goals — five in the first half. Woolston’s forward line was superb. The unbeaten team was quick on the attack and worked well together. Woolston slowed the game down at the start of the second-half, but its dominance was never in doubt. ■About five minutes before the final whistle, Linwood had first penalty corner. Sue Duggan and Leah Wilson each contributed a goal for Woolston in the half. Selwyn v. University This contest began eyenly, but Selwyn gradually took control. Its forwards combined • and marked well. They.kept University on the defensive much of the time. The University goalie, Liz Cabout, was one reason that Selwyn was unable to score before the intermission. She had a fine game. During the first portion of the second-half, University looked better. Instead of defending, the team was attacking and applying pressure. Selwyn’s first goal came on a penalty stroke by Nicky Sheriff. Soon after Barbara Mitchell pushed in the second and final goal of the match.

The points table is — P W D L I >’ A Pts Burnside . 5 IS 0 . 0 .14 3 10 Woolston 5 4 1 0 23 4 9 Selwyn S 3 1 1 14 6 7 Carlton n 3 0 2 10 6 6 Harewood 5 2 0 3 8 10 4 University 5 0 2 3 6 12 2 Linwood 5 0 1 4 2 20 1 Sydenham 5 0 1 4 5 21 1