WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 288, 1 September 1931, Page 2

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Wellington Team Unlucky HOROWHENUA’S 2-GOAL ■ WIN. (By "Critic.’’) The Welllngton-Horowhenua women’s hockey match, played at Otakl on Saturday, did not reach the standard anticipated. The Wellington team was two players short upon arrival at Otakl, but thanks to the response for assistance from Miss M. Fraser, of the Hutt club, who arrived by the afternoon train just in time for the match, and the plfllying of the manager, Miss M. Slater, the city team managed to field a full complement. Mies M. Kilby, half-back, played in- the forward line. Although beaten, Wellington put up a great battle, and was unfortunate to lose. With tho.original 'team there is no saying how the game would have went, but if a Uno can be taken through the performance of Saturday's team, it would bo safe to assume that the honours of the day would have gone Wellington's way. Glaring cases of “sticks” In the Horowhenua circle—the home team was the chief offender in this respect-—were allowed to go unchecked, and the referees could have becu a little stricter. , Horowhenua scored early in tlio match, Miss R. Palpa beating-Miss L. -Dick with a fine shot. Wellington strongly attacked but the van failed to carry on in the circle. A neat breakaway by Mrs. McKee gave Miss M. Winiata a rare, chance, but she robbed herself of the opportunity through turning on the ball. Miss Kilby, when clean through the opposition, was called back for “kicking nt the ball,” a decision that seemed to carry a great amount of doubt with it. ■ It was unfortunate for Miss Kilby, as It was obvious a score would have goue to her credit. Wellington kept up the pressure, Miss T. Wind showing up prominently on the right-wing, but her In-pass was allowed ,to go wanting. Horowhenua conceded three penalty corners iu quick succession, all of which bore no fruit. Miss Fraser drove in a beautiful shot, which was brilliantly cleared by Miss I. Winiata. A great run by. Miss T.. Bevan on the Horowhenua rightwing saw tlie ball quickly swung into the centre, where Miss I’aipa connected with a powerful shot that was a beater all the way. It was a fine piece of work. Wellington had the best of tlio game to halftime, but could not penetrate the home defence, Mrs. Tucker being the big stumbling block. 1 In the second session Miss Fraser replaced Miss McClelland at centre-forward, the last-named going out to left wing. Miss Winiata led a strong attack, but Miss l-’ltt, who had played a solid game 8.11 through at full-back, stopped into t-lie breach and turned defence Into attack, Miss Fraser, driving in from the edge of the circle, the ball striking the upright and rebounding behind. Play was transferred to the Wellington twenty-five, where Miss Henderson,broke through the defence and netted with a fast ground shot. With three goals down, and three-quarters of the game gone, Wellington's chances of making up the leeway looked very remote. Mrs. Chaplin,, who was working well at righthalf, beat'Miss K. Hakaraia to the ball, and sent in a timely centre to Miss Fraser. The centre-forward made no mistake with the shot, beating the goalie all the way. Wellington kept up the .pressure, and was unfortunate not -to score from a melee in front of goal. Miss McClelland was showing plenty of pace on the left wing, but did not seem able to shake oft the persistent tackling of Aliss R. Royal,' who stuck to her task like a leech. The Honowheuua backs were holding their own, and kept the visiting van at 'bay to the final whistle, Horowhenua winning by 3 goals to 1. Messrs. L. Kllmister and Ralph were the referees.