HOCKEY TOURNEY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 302, 10 September 1918, Page 3

HOCKEY TOURNEY

» CANTERBURY DEFEAT MANAL , WATU. I —: \ The semi-final in the New Zealand r ladies' hockey tourney was played at , Karori Park yesterday. Threo teams 1 lvere even (Manawatu, Poverty Bay, > and Canterbury), and Manawatu and J Canterbury were drawn to play tho semi-final. There were not many people present to witness the niatchf but in hockey circles it created much interi est. i The result was ( in one sense, a keen ■ disappointment, tor Manawatu had the ■ best of the game, and yet in the last few i minutes lost it. In the first spell there was no score, but play went in. 1 favour of Manawatu. The Canterbury goal was frequently attacked, but \ the shooting failed to find the net. Toward the end of tho spell Canterbury drove the Greens back, and they were attacking strongly when the whistle ble\v.. The second spell was exciting and fast throughout. The Manawatu team played beautiful hockey. Better combination or cleverer stick work could not ba expected in girls hockey. Their only weakness was in the circle. From beginning to end of the spell, excepting for about thrije very brief periods, they attacked, and attacked vigorously and cleverly. The Manawatu forwards, whose stick work was wonderfully good, took play to the Canterbury quarters time after time, but the Canterbury defcnce was very sound. Canterbury made numerous efforts to turn 'defence into attack, but on almost all occasions they were driven back. The Manawatu full-backs were excellent, the remarkable stick play of tho one and the clean, hard hitting of the other evoking expressions of admiration. Toward the end of the game the Manawatu attack was so persistent that it appeared certain that the Greens would .win if their shooting were quick and accurate. But it was neither. All shots went wide, and many chances were not taken, the players being overanxious, and therefore uncertain. • Oil one occasion Miss Green had a practically certain goal at her command, but her shot was a poor one. Later, the same player missed another opforhmThree minutes itrom the call of time Canterbury rushed play into the Manawatu circle, and Miss Pearce shot a good goal. There was no further score, and Canterbury are now to meet Poverty Bay for the championship. The 'final will be played this afternoon, when Canterbury will meet Poverty Bay. The referees will be Messrs. Pragnell and Edwards.