Ladies’ Hockey

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 184, 2 May 1929, Page 8

Ladies’ Hockey

By

"CRITIC”

LOCAL ENTRIES: PROSPECTIVE TEAM STRENGTH,

Entries for the local competitions, which closed last Wednesday, number tW The J senior A grade will comprise six teams, Swifts (last year’s champion eleven), Hutt (runners-up). Ramblers, Old Girls, Training College and University. Hutt is reported to be placing an exceptionally strong eleven in the field. Although minus one or two of the best, Swifts can boast a team that will do justice to the club. College Old Girls executed a wise move last season in placing a number of B players in the A team. The club should reap some benefit this term. Training College disappointed Inst year, but with the new blood available should give a repetition of a few seasons ago. The students have the material among the juniors. It only requires the “heads” sorting them out. Ramblers possess a young team that will go a long way in the competition. The same might apply to University. Senior B Grade. The senior B grade has drawn seven entries, which will give each team a bye in both rounds. The competition was competed for by five clubs last year, the newcomers this season being Eastbourne, Training College and St. Peter’s. Ramblers, one of last season’s competitors, have withdrawn. This year’s teams are Hutt (winners, 1928), Huia (runnersup), Old Girls, Swifts, Training College, Eastbourne, and St. Peter’s. Hutt will again prove strong contenders for the title. With the excellent material available the valley elub representatives will certainly play an important part in the decision of the contest. Huia had excellent opportunities of winning last year, but towards the latter part of the competition weakened and fell to onslaughts of weak sides, thus giving Hutt the . valuable points that meant so much. However, with the team considerably strengthened, it is sincerely hoped a “rot” does not set in when the side holds a rosy chance of winning the championship. But if the players do not co-operate in team work, etc., the ambitions of the club will not be realised. Swifts did not perform too well last year, but considering the team underwent several changes during the competition, as well as playing short, this could not be helped. With the new season comes Swifts with an eleven of respectable merit. College Old Girls are placing a side in the field 'that will do credit to the club. What the team may lack in experience it will make up in enthusiasm. Most of the players are young, but very keen, and this is what is required of all teams. I have not to hand the prospective strength of Eastbourne, but j’udglng on the form shown by the Bay last season, it is quite on the cards that the team will give a good account of itself. St. Peter’s, winners of the junior A championship last year, are to make their debut in senlof hockey. St. Peter's have always been renowned for the quality of teams placed in the field, so the senior B eleven should be a side of exceptional merit. St. Peter's will undoubtedly prove a strong contender for the championship. Training College are not to be denied. The pick of the junior players will most likely comprise the team, and judging on the performance of some of the players last season a well-balanced side should be the result. The students will be an eleven to reckon with. Junior Grades. The junior A grade will comprise seven teams, viz., Huia, Ramblers, Karori, Hutt, University, Wesley, and Johnsonville. Karori were last season's winners of the junior B championship. It is understood that the majority of the club's 1928 players are available, and under the circumstances Karori should make a strong bid for the championship. Wesley possess good material, and should again be to the fore. Johnsonville will have a few new faces, but nevertheless will make up championship points. Huia should greatly benefit from last year's experience, and if the players stick to their tasks again this term they may come out on top. Ramblers are sure to bo represented by a strong side. University will surprise a few opponents before the season closes. Six entrants have been received for the junior B—viz., Centics, Hutt, Karori, Swifts. St. Peters, and Technical College. The Technical College is making a reentry to the game after an absence of many years. This is most gratifying and it is sincerely hoped that Technical College has led the way for the other colleges to follow. Hockey is a game that pupils of all the colleges should participate in. Centics, runners up to Karori last year, will be the hardest proposition to contend with in tills division. Much of the progress of this team, which is only making its second appearance in the hockey game, can be traced to the advice given, the players in this column last season. Centics is a team that deserves success for every member

has the game at heart and puts her whole effort into her duties on the field. Tech, has culled a smart team and the players are very enthusiastic. Hutt novices performed very well under a good coach last season, and the writer would not in the least be surprised to see this team gathering in valuable points during the progress of the championship. It is Said That— Miss Alma Leak will again be with Huia. The Manawatu season opens to-day. Miss Sybil Swinburne is to again assist Old Girls. Shortage of playing fields is again worrying the association. Swifts will have another season of the services of Miss Jessie Harper. Mr. W. A. Scott will again be to the fore in ladies’ hockey. His knowledge of the game is too valuable to be lightly overlooked. Miss Elphert has earned her place m the Karori A team. She played well for the same club last term. Ladies’ hockey is on the boom in the Porirua district, but disappointment is felt at the decision of the association in declining the entry of Porirua in the junior B competition. Early train travelling by city teams was the hurdle. Other Notes. It was mentioned in this column two weeks ago that there was every likelihood of that popular gentleman at tournaments Mr. Peter Gllfedder, resigning from the office of president of the Southland Association. I have just received word that Mr. Gilfedder has resigned despite the efforts by many to induce him to reconsider his decision. It is understood his reason for resigning is to enable him to devote more time to the organisation of the proposed South African tour. The form shown in practice matches last Saturday was unusually high for so early in the season. Judging on this I fully expect the standard of play (his season to be of the best. I might again remind senior players that a South African tour is contemplated for 1930. Only players who can and do show an exceptionally high standard throughout this season will receive any consideration. Every player should thus give of her best. “Critic” understands that the New Zealand team for South Africa will, In all probability, comprise 20 players. Wellington should thus be able to secure at least a few in the team. Miss Mary Mclntyre jumped into the public eye after her first match for Collegiate last week. In the match against Technical B she scoretl five goals. Of Miss Mclntyre a Southern writer says:— Her stay in the north has Improved her standard of play appreciably. Her chances with regard to the South African tour are warmly favoured. She is a tireless battler with a good hockey disposition as she combines well with the remainder of the forwards. Her play last Wednesday was of a very high standard, nnd she proved extremely troublesome to the opposition. Her stay tn Wellington has improved her speed, and her stick work has in no way deteriorated. She will find no difficulty in securing a position in the Southland team. Good Suggestions. "If the suggestions of sending an All Black team to the Empire Tournament is adopted," says Mr. P. Gilfedder, late president of the Southland Ladies' Hockey Association, in a lengthy letter of suggestions for the tour, read at last Monday's annual meeting of the New Zealand Ladies’ Hockey Association, held in Wellington, “then I would suggest that the New Zealand ladles hockej’ ehampionship tournament for the ‘K’ Cup might not be held this year. The cost of sending a team on tour to the latter might militate against raising funds for the former. For instance, it would cost our association (Southland) about £350 to send a team to Auckland. Such a sum of money might be better used in connection with the tour to South Africa. The tournament would not be of great value In selecting the New Zealand team as many good players may not be present through no fault of their own, e.g., their association might not enter a team. “As the tour will extend over a perioiL of about five months, many prominent plavers mav not be available for selection. I would suggest that your executive should circularise all associations for a list of good players who will be avllable for selection. The selector or selectors should be appointed at an enrly date and a list ot those players who are available for selection should be forwarded to them., The selectors could then by means of newspaper reports, private reports, observation, etc., get a good preliminary idea of the final team without incurring much expense to your association.” To Team Captains. Team captains are asked to forward results of matches each week to “Critic” for publication in “The Dominion.” The writer would like to receive them as early as possible, preferably on Sundays. The names of scorers and the positions they hold in teams would also be greatly appreciated. All matter for publication in this column must be addressed “Ladies’ Hockey Critic," c/o “Dominion” Office, Wellington.