WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 265, 5 August 1931, Page 5

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Players and Their Form SATURDAY’S GAMES (By “Critic.") Miss M. Dennison did not show up to advantage in the trial match. She seemed to be slightly off her game, but will be given a good opportunity to show her frowess in goal next Saturday, when her team (Huia) meets Swifts. Miss Sybil Swinburne gave a exhibition of wing play on the left for Old Girls in the senior match with Swifts. Uei speed and cleverness in stick control were superb. Undoubtedly she is now playing in her best form, and if one can take Saturday’s display as any criterion. Miss Swinburne must, on that showing alone, hold a first-class chance of representing Wellington at the big tournament at Auckland this “it'wlll be a pity if Miss May Wilkins is unable to take her place in the team for Auckland, as the 1930 Wellington captain is playing magnificent hockey. Her place will be hard to fill successfully, for she has shown high qualities as a leader at previous tournaments. To see her last week, when things were not going too smoothly for Swifts, with the set determination of pulling her side out- of the fire, and the manner in which she succeeded from a penalty corner could not but impress the most critical. Hopes are still being entertained that Miss Wilkins will eventually be available to take her place in the Wellington team. Miss Jean Thomson, captain and centreforward of the Old Girls’ junior A team, played a heady game against Centics, and with better support from her wings, would possibly have scored more than the one goal for her side. Miss J. Murray, a promoted B player, acquitted herself well at inside-right. She played a hard concentrated game, and her goal was the reward of persistent following in of a shot.

Miss McCullough, the Hospital centreforward, who played so well in the half line against Tea, will shortly be leaving New Zealand, but fortunately for the nurses will be available for the remainder of the present month. In Miss McCullough the Hospital team Is losing one of its best and cleverest forwards. Her place will be hard to fill with the same amount of success. The selector eould not help but be impressed with the sound defence of Miss Kathleen Miller, who gave a rock-like display at full-back for Old Girls in the match with Swifts. “Critic" feels certain that Miss Miller will again represent Wellington. She is still one of our best full-backs, and it would be very difficult to find a superior defender for the Wellington representatives. Miss M. Johnson played a sound defensive game for Hospital at right full-back. Her tackling was resolute and on many occasions she was seen to break promising movements by the Natives. The brilliant goalkeeping of Mrs. S. Parker for Toa was covered in the report of the match. On her performance in that game alone, Mrs. Parker must now be regarded as holding a very good chance of securing representative honours for Wellington. Miss Agnes Press was fully extended in goal for Swifts against Old Girls, and gave the spectators a grand exhibition of her true qualities as a goalkeeper. Although small in statue, she courageously stood up to her hard ordeal, and' came through with dying colours. Mrs. F. Prince played soundly at full-back.

Miss Stewart acquitted herself very well at centre-forward for Hospital, although it was evident at times she was inclined to go too far back. It seemed to the writer that Mr. Armes made a slight error of judgment when he allowed Miss McCullough, the regular centre-forward, to play in the half line. Still Miss Stewart must be given credit for doing her best in a strange position.

Miss Lucy Dick played her usual good game in goal in the trial match, but Miss Rita Thomas has been seen to better advantage. It is hoped Miss Thomas will give her true quality on Saturday. •Junior Team’s Improvement.

It is pleasing to report that the College Old Girls' junior A team has taken to heart the good advice that has been meted out to It from time to time tn this column. Bunching was almost conspicuous by its absence last week, and the players were noticed to be concentrating more on combined efforts, and, indeed, gave a very good I account of themselves, despite the fact tnat • Gentles proved too experienced for them. I Efforts should be made to keep in touch | with the players during the off season, as i with the same personnel next year the Old i Girls' Club would have a junior team that I would make a name for Itself. The mater- ' lai is there, and there should be very little i difficulty In developing it. It is hoped that | some arrangement will be made to keep this promising team intact for the next term. | ■