WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 287, 31 August 1935, Page 14

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Tournament Opens at Gisborne N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIPS First Day’s Results By Telegraph Pres? Association Gisbcrne, August 30. The New Zealand women's hockey championships opened to-day under somewhat overcast weather conditions with a cold wind blowing across the ground. Eastern Southland defeated Poverty Bay A through better combination, skill and experience, while they were also in better physical condition. Clean hitting and clever passing were outstanding features of the winner’s play. They won by five goals, scored by Misses Bond (2), White and Mrs. Reid (2). to nil. Canterbury found Bush a very solid proposition, and the issue was always in doubt until the final whistle. Bush opened nervously and Canterbury quickly rattled on two goals, the scorers being Miss M. McKenzie and Mrs. Iggo. Before half-time Bush began to settle down, and Miss Bailey scored, this being the interval tally. Bush were always in the picture during the second spell, their bustling tactics smashing most of the Canterbury attacks, but Miss M. McKenzie’s individual brilliance maintained the balance between the teams. Miss McKenzie increased Canterbury’s lead, but bright passing saw Miss E. Cavanagh goal. Just before the close Miss McKenzie again scored after a fine solo dash from near half-way.

Auckland showed greatly-improved form to defeat Marlborough, 5-3. The winners performed well early, completely dominating play to establish a two goals lead, both scored by Miss G. Lowe. Marlborough, who had hitherto been playing sluggishly with mishits spoiling their combination, then showed improvement, and snappy parsing ended in Miss M. Wareham goaling. Over practically .ue remainder of the first spell An-’-land dominated play. Miss Lowe add ng a third goal and Mrs. Gawler scoring the fourth. • st before half-time Miss Mills scored, the interval arriving with the scores, Auckland 4, Marlborough 2. The second spell was very even, each team adding one goal, Miss Lowe scoring for Auckland, and then Miss Mil) for Marlborough. In the B section Rnahine proved too clever and too experienced for Wairarapa, being especially superior in the forward line, while the winners’ speed and combination added to their advantage. Wairarapa were dogged and determined and showed better combination in the closing stages. The result was never in doubt. Ruahine winning by six goals, scored hy Misses Dahlberg, Smith, Mrs. Nicolas. Mrs. Loader (2) and Miss Miller, to nil. The game between Wellington and Ashburton was played a great pace throughout. Ashburton proving to have the better combination and the cleaner hitting to run out winners by five goals to two The game was very even in the first half, the score at half-time being 2-2. In the second half Ashburton made full advantage of their speedy winger. Miss Gudsell and made repeated onslaughts on the Wellington goal. The Wellington goalie played a fine game, and hut for her the score might easily have been greater. For Ashburton the scorers, were Misses Donaldson (3). Watson and Dawson, and for Wellington Misses Wilkins and Dunce. South Otago defeated Poverty Bay B by seven goals to one in a game which was played at a fast pace throughout. South Otago had too much combination for Poverty Bay and led by four goals to nil at half-time. In the second half South Otago, definitely on top. kept Poverty Bay on the defence for the greater part. Scorers for South Otago were Misses K. Scott (3). M. Scott (2). Vidal and Kreft, while Mrs. Sangwell scored for Poverty Bay-To-morrow’s draw is as follows:— A section: Bush v. Eastern Southland; Poverty Bay A v. Cantorbury; Southland v Auckland: Marlborough, a bye. B section: Akitio v. Ruahine; Wairarapa v. Wellington; Ashburton v. Poverty Bay B; South Otago a bye.