WOMEN'S HOCKEY

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 223, 16 June 1932, Page 3

WOMEN'S HOCKEY

Standard of Refereeing NOTES ON PLAY & PLAYERS i By •’Cfitie. J Although Tou must be complimented on their line performance in being the first team to lower the colours of Cpper Hutt, there is no doubting the tact that had the Hutt halves lived up to their repiitatioii and tackled more vigorously they would have been of immense assistance to their forwards. They seemed afraid to lifer the Maori attacks halfway. Again, in the first speii the backs failed badly, and it was due to their being out of position and weak tackling that Toa was able to score two goals. When tiie forwards did get going thi y made little progress, as the Toa halves and backs stepped in quickly to break, the combination. No doubt Hutt were feeling their way in the first half, but surely it should not take a team the full session to know where they stood with their opponents. Hutt improved in the last spell and placed more vigour behind their work. Indeed they had Toa rattled at one stage, hut could not sustain their efforts. Great work by Miss Brown at full-back undoubtedly saved Hutt from many very awkward situations in the second half. Toa should be one of the hardest teams to head off in the bid for the senior B championship.

Refereeing Not Up to Standard. The game between Training College and Swifts senior A teams was marked by numerous infringements that should have been penalised. Wild swinging of sticks and frequent obstructions by both teams were allowed to go unchecked iu a great many instances, as did some offside play. In a letter to “Critic’’ a senior coach states that in his considered opinion, with the exception of one or two cases, the quality of refereeing in the senior A women's hockey games is definitely not up to the standard that should be maintained iu such matches. Efficient refereeing is essential in the best interests of hockey. .Players find little satisfaction in a badly controlled game.

Talking on the Field. So long as players persist in talking on the field of play they will never do themselves nor the game full justice. Persistent talking detracted from the senior A match between Ramblers and Wenerei, and the sooner referees take a firmer hand in this matter the better will it be for hoekey. Flayers and Their Play. The centre-half work of Miss K. Parata for Toa won her much praise from the line last week. She is indeed the pivot of the Maoris’ attack. Miss Isohel Shield was noticed on several occasions to be giving her iuners opportunities, all of which went begging. As a centre-forward she is a great asset to Upper Hutt, but on Saturday Toa gave her no peace, with the result that she could not get her shots inHer goal was one of the tit-bits of the match. Misses P. and 31. Foley ano Miss Johns are the outstanding players for Eastbourne." Miss F. Foley is unquestionably the brains of her team. Practice, and plenty of if, is what Eastbourne need at the present time. It was obvious last week that the material for a really good combination, is in the team. Miss Cullinan has greatly improved as centre-half for Huia junior A, and being keen should develop rapidly in that position. . . Miss Agnes Press was seen, m her best goalkeeping form for Swifts on. Saturday. The manner in which she successfully withstood the barrage of shots from the Training College forwards stamped her as a custodian of great value to her team. In fact her performances all through the season have been impressive. . . Miss Ngaire Williams is distinguishing herself in Ramblers’ attack, and her two goals last week were the outcome of clever stickwork. Miss M. McColl. Training College, is showing form which suggests that she may again be seen representing Wellington at the K Cup tourney —that is it this city is to be represented this year. Miss May Wilkins forsook refereeing on Saturday to turn out for her old team, Swifts, filling a temporary vacancy. She gave a sound display at fullback in the first spell, and going into the forward line in the second half repeatedly led the attack on Training College’s citadel. She scored a beautiful goal off a brilliant short reverse stroke from a fine angle. It is understood Miss Wilkins will remain in the team until Miss M. Hawkins recovers from an injury to a knee. . The outstanding player m the Ccntica v. Wesley match was 3liss E. Scantlebury, Centics’ left full-back. This player is probably the best defender in the junior grades and should catch the eye of selector Svd. Brngb. Her clearing shots and general covering-up tactics are a treat to watch, and many a senior player could with advantage take a lent out of her book. She has a powerful drive, is an adept at hitting the ball on the run, and also possesses the unusual trait in a full-baek of being extremely fast. Miss M. Smith. Wesley, was well marked bv Centics last week, and this prevented her from showing her best. She is a useful soloist, and with the necessary support from her team-mates would score more goals. Misses A. Sadler, left-wing, and N. Albrecht, inside-right, for Centics. could improve their circle work. Hesitation in * shooting and a tendency to short passing in the circle lost them excellent scoring opportunities. Miss I. Prince, the centre-forward, worked hard, and her following-in tactics should he more fruitful if persevered in. Miss T. McDonald. risrht-back. is inclined to clear across goal instead of straight upfield. Miss R. Kelly, centre-half, worked with commendable effort. , her , bustling methods and hard hitting doing muco to keep her side on the attack. Miss Maidment deserved more success for her good work for Wesley, but a tendency to obstruct and give “sticks” should he overcome ns soon as possible.