WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 170, 14 April 1932, Page 14

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Review of Last Season

HIGH STANDARD OF PLAY (By -Critic.") The standard of play in the Wellington women’s hockey competitions during last season was ol a high order, and to the players, who showed keen enthusiasm throughout the term, belongs the credit of the excellent quality ol hockey exhibited. Last season's success has given the association pleasant anticipations ol a still brighter term during this year. The success of College Old Girls in winning the senior championship must, to a certain extent, go to the youthful Huia team, which was responsible fur Swifts losing a fifty-fifty share of the title. Huia forced Swifts to a draw at the critical stage of the competition, thus allowing Old Girls to take the honours for tile season by the barest of margins. It was a keenly contested championship, and the standard of hockey displayed for the better part of the season was attractive, and much superior to that of 1930. Swifts possessed the better balanced team, the understanding between defence and attack, perfect, combination aud excellent stickwork being a treat to watch. Undoubtedly the red and blacks were unlucky to lose the title by one point. College Old Girls, on,the other band, although a clever combination, did not quite come up to the quality of Swilts. Still, the ex-collegians improved wonderfully compared with the previous year, and the prospects are that tbe team will continue to lift its standard of play to a much higher plane during the coming season. Old Girls must be congratulated on winning the title, it being the first success of the club since competing in senior A hockey.

Hutt, the third team on the ladder, opened the. season well, but found in Old Girls and Swifts two superior opponents. The Valley eleven did not make the improvement expected as the conipelitiffii advanced, and on a couple occasions was fortunate to hold its own against the weaker teams of the grade. ( Huia showed the most improvement of the other teams competing. The side was making a re-entry into higher grade hockey, and the young players that comprised the team all showed the desired keenness to life their standard'of play to a liigher level. They are to be complimented on the splendid progress made in this grade, and judging on Inst season’s displays a bright future should bfi in store for the black and whites fhjs term, provided the same team is again available. Ramblers was the most unfortunate chib in the division, having much difficulty in mustering a full team throughout'the season. Despite this handicap the side played very well indeed. University showed early promise, but as the competition jirogressed did not live up to expectations. This was most surprising, as the team possessed exceptionally good players. XVenerei made a poor debut in the grade, winning only one match during the season. On occasions the team put, up stubborn fights, but on the whole should have given a much brighter performance. Training College gave, a very good account of itself, and it is difficult to understand why this team was not higher up on tbe championship ladder.

A Clever Combination. Karori, winners of the senior B championship, possessed a clever combination and went through the season without, a defeat, taking the title by seven points from its nearest opponent. The standard of hockey displayed by this team was a high tribute to the players.

Lower Grades. 11. was unfortunate Hint the junior A competition between Hospital and Ton could not be finalised, both clubs being obliged to hold the championship on equal terms for the season. The hockey displaced in this grade was of a good standard which speaks well of the training methods adopted by coaches. The cleverest and most polished team in the grade was Hospital. The hockey exhibited by tiie nurses was of- n very high order, thanks to Hie systematic training of Mr. G. F. Armes. The native team. Toa. although not quite on n par with Hospital, played forceful hockey, and was pleasing to watch. Mr. A. Bennie worker! a great improvement in this team. The most improved eleven was Upper Hutt, which finished only one point behind the championship holders. For n team making its debut in the game Upper Hutt made extraordinary progress, being beaten only twice by Hospital and Toa. A pleasing feature about the players in this team was the keenness displayed—all striving hard to improve their pin,’ and maintain their position on the ladder. Much credit for Upper Hutt's fine showing was due to the- coach, Mr. S. I'rugb. Other teams in the grade that made noticeable improvement were CenHcs. Teebnieal College Old Girls and East bourne. Technical College A put up a performance to be proud of in the B grade by withstanding nil Hie opposition, and ending up the season without a defeat, and with a fine goal average.

A Ixiss to the Ganic. It is with deep regret that 1 have IO report the loss Wellington women’s hockey has sustained iu the death of Mr. F. Walker. who couched the Old Girls' junior teams during the past few seasons. Mr. Walker was a keen devotee of hockey. ami was partly responsible for the imiugura tion of the annual Maori women's hockey matches between Wellington ami Wairarapa. lie was selector of th** Wellington loiiin that defeated Wairarapa last, season. The laic Mr. Walker is survived by Mrs. Walker and on*' . daughter, both of whom arc members of the College Old Girls' Club If is understood Hint Mrs. Walker Is presenting Ji cup to the association for competition in eiiminemoi'.ition of her late husband. Club Vacancies. Several clubs reporl vnvnncies in their teams, a.id :Uiy player desirous of joining u|> with rm' of these clubs slombl lose no time in communicating with "Critic," e/o "Tin* Doininiou.”