THE LADIES' HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1546, 16 September 1912, Page 2

THE LADIES' HOCKEY.

$ AT CHRISTCHURCH. PLAY NEARING CONCLUSION. NORTH ISLANDERS LEAD. Nelson 2 Canterbury B .. 0 Wairarapa 1 Poverty Bay .... 0 Manawatu 2 Otago 0 Canterbury A ... 3 Auckland 2 Buller 2 West Coast 0 Hawke's Bay .... <1 Wanganui 0 Byes; Taranaki A and Wellington A. (By Telegrapu.—Press Atsociatfon.) Christchurch, September 14. The New Zealand ladies' hockey tournament, which opened on Saturday last, is now. approaching the end. The seventh day's play took place at Sydenham I'urk this alterrioon in fine weather.and before a large, attendance. Tho match Nelson v. Canterbury B was finally won by the former by 2 goals to nil. It was by no means an easy victory. Tho Canterbury B team had been further changed about, but they put up a really good fight against last year's champions. Their forward lino teemed much stronger than it had been during the last few matches, and the backs, although some of them were more or less disabled,' ■defended well. The- Canterbury A 7 Auckland match provided a very interesting contest. The Canterbury forwards—notably Sliss M. Pcarce anil Miss Kruse—worked .splendidly, and good defensive support was accorded them by two of their backsMisses D. Pearce and M. Wells. Auckland played -a. good passing gamo, and Miss Kenny was prominent in the right-wing rushes. They found it difficult, howover, when in the circle, to penetrate the Canterbury defence, although. they tried repeatedly. The match between Wairarapa and' Poverty Bay was an especially keen one, and was useful as showing how much good hockey will prevail' against superior size, weight, and strength. Matters were very even all the way, and the contest was, from start to finish, one of method and skill against greater power and rather less speed. It was "touch and go" all the while whether tho Red players would not score, and make a draw of it (which would not have effected the tournament result), or would be able to win. They tried very hard, and often looked as though they would be able to do it. However, scoring is not their strong point, though, they may be congratulated on their success in avoiding further punishment. Wangn'nui put up a fine show against the Htiwke's Bay team, and, until halftime, rather more than held its own. It got tho better of many of tho exchanges, but the Hawko's Bay back line, however, proved a solid obstacle to overcome, and there it was that' most of the attacks ended. Hawko's Bay has certainly not improved, and to T d<iy their forward play was distinctly ragged. Manawatu beat Otago by tv;o goals to nil. The game was not a strikingly lively one, neither team seeming to take prompt advantage of itsyopporhmilies. The Green team was at times backward at defending, but Hiss F. Fairbrother filled the' position of full-back capably, and put in some excellent work. The forwards of the winning team instituted some good rushes. Miss I. Sl'JCenzie and SI is* Handcoek (tho scorers) being prominent all along. The game Bnller v. West Coast resulted in a .win for the former, the score being two goals to nil. No score was made till very near the end of the first half, though Buller had stayed mostly in "Coast" territory. Miss A. Hale, as on previous occasions, distinguished herself by good driving, and leading fast rushes. West Coast defended well, their backs in particular being fjood. Miss Yitaglich scored both goals i'or Buller. During tho second half of the game, interest tended to flag now and then, but on the whole play was lively, Buller's rushes especially being characterised by plenty of vim.. The championship points w.on by tho respective teams now read as. follow:— A Section.—Wairarapa, .12 points; Poverty Bay, 8 points; Nelson, 7 points; Canterbury B, -5 points; Manawatu, 5 points; Otago, .4.. points; Taranaki, 1 point. .. ;',, B .Section , . , —Hawko's Bay, 12 points; Canterbury 'A, 9 points; Wanganni, 7 points; Auckland, 7 points; Wellington, 5 points; Buller, 2 points; West Coast, nil. Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa will play off for the championship on Monday afternoon.