BRILLIANT HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1230, 12 September 1911, Page 6

BRILLIANT HOCKEY.

LADIES' CARNIVAL. HOW NELSON WON THE CUP. A FITTING FINISH. Splendid, brilliant play marked tho last game of the New Zealand ladies' hockey championship yesterday. The redoubtable Hawke's Bay team ruet a courageous Nelson combination, and, after a really thrilling game, lost tho laurels which they have worn so long. All present agreed that it was a magnificent exhibition, and tho ovation which tho Nelson ladies received as they left tho field and boarded the ferry 6teamer testified that the win was as popular as it was well deserved. But tho Nelson girls were hard put to win—and, at one time, it appeared as if they were going to the wall, but they never abandoned hope, and "dogged did it." The goal that gave them the match was shot just a minute before time was oalled. There were hardly any disinterested spectators witnessing the game. Each ojio or group shouted for "Hawke's Bay" or "Nelson," and, as the game drew to its somewhat electrical conclusion and both .teams were still on level terms, a ring of cxeited people thronged the line.

THE MATCH. \ NELSON, 2; HAWKE'S BAY, 1. "I never thought it was possible for girls to play liko that!" "A glorious game!" And such expressions were heard at the conclusion of the game as the crowd trickled off towards the Day's Bay Wharf. It was indeed a fine game, and Nelson, after an hour and fifty minutes of strenuous work, just won, but it was really a caso in which tho vanquished deserve as much honour as the victors. Each team as they took the field was received with cheers, and thfc'n the spectators settled down with pleasurable anticipations to watch. The coin spun in favour of Hawke's Bay and their captain decided to defend the southern goal. Soon after tho "bully" they' gained a temporary advantage, but Nelson drove them back, and their forwards presently made a swoop on the Hawke's Bay goal. Tho Hawke's Bay ladies, however, met them resolutely and sent them to tho right-about. Even play supervened and then tho Black and Whites shifted the Ecene, but only for a few minutes, as the Nelson .full-back banged tho ball up the' field, and thereafter it was carried right' to the circle by her forwards. Again Hawke's Bay "saved," and again they endeavoured to get within striking distance of tho Nelson citadel. By a magnificent bit of play on the part of Miss Whit-,veil, Nelson's left full-back, tho charge was broken up, however, and in swift retaliation tho Nelson forwards, who were now passing very accurately and combining well, whipped up the ball in front of the Hawko's Bay goal. The crowd now called vociferously, for Nelson, and it seemed that a score was certain, but here, for the first time, Nelson showed one of their great ' faults—weak circle play—and Hawke's Bay managed to put a changed face on a rather unpromising situation. Then they counter-attacked, but Miss Whitwell again came to Nelson's rescue and, for. a few minutes, play was very fast. Hawke's Bay now made another heavy bid to score. Their right-wing took the ball down tho line, beat the opposing backs, but somehow or other had the misfortune to lose possession. For another short sptll Hawko's Bay hammered at the Nelon goal, but invariably encountered a trong and disconcerting defence.

Nelson Scores First. To use an Americanism it 6eomed to surprise tho northern ladies "some." They dashed down on the goal again, but a little . Nelson girl met them, and turned thein. They tried again and with tho same result. Indeed they tried timo after time, but always some resolute Nelfonian blocked tho path to victory. It was then, perhaps, that tho truth to dawn on them— it . had dawned on their supporters after the first ten minutes—that they wero faced with a task too big for. thom, and were in fact being beaten at their own game. I'or tho first tiino in the present tournament they mot a team whoso forwards were just as fast as themselves, and perhaps a more efficient, attacking combination, while the defence, though not superior, could hardly bo called inferior. Hawko s Bay wero gradually forced back, and wero'called on to put up a defence which _ was a revelation even to themselves. Nelson's right wing had a splendid opportunity, but she was rather nervous, and what should havo been a certain goal was smothered. The Black and Whites, no doubt thankful for such a let-off, again invaded Nelson territory, but they had not been long- thero when they were again scrit scurrying back to defend their goal. Even nlay followed—overy yard that was gained or lost being sternly contested. Nelson had two or thrco good opportunities of scoring, but, as before, their c.irclo work lacked finish. At. last, however, their efforts wore crowned with success. Their forwards took the ball to tho Hawko's Bay circle, and a scramble ensued at tho very goal mouth. Spectators shouted for Nelson and others for Hawko's Boy, and some shouted I hey must score!' and thoy did, for suddenly a girl with a brown cap (Nelson s distinctive head-wear) was seen to raiso her stick with intent on that difficult goal. Immediately after sho leapt iu the air, and a mighty cheer announced that Iv olson had put on tho first score. Half-time was • called a few moments later.

Hawke's Bay Draws Level, In the first spoil Nelson had easily tho best of mattors. For the first ten minutes they attacked hard, and then Hawke's Bay began to bo aggressive. Nelson were leading by one goal to nil, and, if they wished to retain the championship, it was necessary for them to bo up aud doing. The paco became faster and tho Nelson van, for tho first time, began to show signs of weariness. Hawko's Bay made repeated attempts to score, but all their energies broke upon a solid defence. Nelson would raiso tho siege temporarily, but they would be swept buck again, and' to their supporters it then seemed duly a matter of moments when Hawke's Bay would equalise. It was tho general opinion that,- once they scored, Nelson's morale would be gone, and there would bo no holding tho champions. After about twenty minutes of indecisive play, Hawko's Bay obtained a foothold inside tho Nelson circle, and Miss Crowley shot n go*l that was almost impossible to savo> Ono goal each. The excitement now became intense, but no one gavo plucky littlo Nelson a chance, for their opponents wero playing with tho skill and confidence that conies with tho experience of many successful battles. Except for a few spasmodic rushes Nelson were now kept confined to their own sida of tho half-way line, and, when time was called, Hawke's JJay wero in dangerous proximity to their goal. "Dogged Docs It." And now camo the tug-of-war. As the scoro was level, it was decided to play an extra fifteen minutes, and Nelson's sympathisers hoped that their team would show to better advantage. Immediately after tho "bully-oft," Hawke's Bay became aggressive, and their supporters wero already congratulating themselves on tho fact of their team winning such a hardfought game. .But the girls from across tho strait never struck their colours, and gradually began to rally. Fifteen minutes went by, and no score resulted. After a spell of five minutes it was decided to play another quarter of an hour. Then Nelson came to their own. They roused the admiration of all by tho wav in which they carcered down the field, and threatened their opponents' goal. They wero repulsed, but they came on again, and their supporters cheered and cheered again. But, try as they would, they could not find a loophole in tho defence, but tho prcssuro on Hawko's Bay was now heavy, nnd, if tliero was a weak spot anywhere it was almost bound to show. It did show. Just about ono minute before tho fifteen minutes wero up tho Nelson invaders were right in front of the Hawke's Bay goal. A Nelson girl was seen to stop the ball and shoot. For a second perhaps there was "no sound from friend or foe," and then some ultra-violent Nelson supporters, who had congregated round tho goal, threw up their hats and cheered, and almost tho whole of tho spectators cheered with them. Nelson had scored. They were overwhelmed with congratulations on the field, and 60

wore Hawke's Bay, who lost, but lost gamely and grimly. Mr. Walton was referee. Presenting the Cup. The cup was presented to tho winners on board the ferry steamer by the Hon. J. A. Millar. In asking Mr. Millar to make the presentation, Dr. .Arnold Izard remarked that, he had never witnessed a faster or a Ixitter came during tho present tournament. He also stated that Lady Ward was to have made the presentation, but, unfortunately, the motor-car which sho was travelling by had broken down. In presenting the cup to Miss Whitweil (captain of the Nelson team), the Hon. J. A. Millar remarked that he had been told by those competent to judge that it was a splendid game. Ho did not know very much about hockcy, but he congratulated the winners on their splendid performance, "being a South Island man himself." He jocularly remarked, "I am glad to see that something has come to the South Island at last." Mr. Dillon, M.P., also congratulated the Nelson team on their performance. Cheers were then given for both teams and their captains.