WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 265, 5 August 1937, Page 7

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

England Accepts Dominion Invitation TO TOUR NEXT SEASON Notes on Play and Players (By Critic.) Definite acceptance of the invitation extended an AU-England international team to tour New Zealand next season was received by the New’ Zealand Women’s Hockey Association last week from the All-England Women’s Hockey Association. The touring team will comprise players of international calibre, and followers of the game in this country should see h'oekey of international standard, as the English players this year are acknowledged champions of the world. The New Zealanders, judging by their performance against the Australians, who performed so well at the international tournament held last October at Philadelphia, should at all events be capable of extending the Englishwomen. There is no doubting the fact that the All-England team’s visit will benefit hockey in the Dominion considerably, and the lessons to bo gained by players, umpires and controlling bodies should be many. This tour is sure to arouse extraordinary public interest in all the centres at which the tourists appear, for to women hockey players the All-England women's team is what the All-India team is to the men players. The team visits Sydney in April for the 159th anniversary celebrations, and is expected to arrive in the Dominion in May or June. The tour of New Zealand will occupy six weeks.

Advice to Forwards. A curious factor noticed by the writer in the senior A match between Training College xnd Varsity las' week no doubt a psychological matter, seemed always to intervene when a Training College forward was about to shoot at goal. She appeared invariably to aim for the goalkeeper’s pads. Why? No goalkeeper has yet been found who can successfully fill the whole of the space provided between the posts. More goals would undoubtedly result if forwards would force themselves

to look for the largest open space and shoot straight for it. It has been said that no goalkeeper can fill the goals completely, but “Critic” can point to some who manage very well to occupy a great deal of the space by moving about. This technique is adopter! by at least one local player with more than ordinary success. Senior Play and Players. Miss M. Simpson, centre-half, cleared Technical Old Girls out of some awkward situations against College Old Girls, particularly in the later spell. Her play was a credit to her, and her inclusion in the team for Invercargill has been well earned. Miss 1. Morris, right half, played a keen bustlinsr game for College Old Girls, her tackling being smart aud passes, on the whole, very good. Hutt Valley’s right half. Miss E. Gwilliani, gave a splendid account of her capabilities against Toa. She was always to the fore, and saved her team from several tight situations. -Miss M. Paterson, Toa left full-back, 1 displayed a sound defensive game, clearing well. She proved the main stumbling block to the Hutt forwards. Varsity’3 left wing. Miss N. Goldsbury, i impressed as a player who would go a long way in the game if coached on the right lines. As a recruit to the left wing position, she shaped very well in the circumstances against Training College. Miss M. Corby. Training College centre forward, brought her knowledge much into play against Varsity, giving a fine exhibition of tricky stickwork. Miss S. Dive, inside left, and Miss M. Porter, left wing, combined nicely with their captain. This trio comprised Training College’s main attacking force. Miss E. Brockett, centre half, played noticeably well, as also did Miss M. Hudson, left full-back. Miss 8. Lander. Varsity right wing, shaped promisingly, for a new player, last week. Coaching would certainly be a great help to this young winger, who seems, to imssess the desired keenness to make headway. Miss Chris. Robertson, right full-back, was a tower of strength to Varsity, playing a fine spoiling game. The right half, Mis" M. Johnstone, is inclined to infringe the roll-in rule. She should remember that the ball .must be rolled over the line and the whole body and stick behind the side-line. A Poneke forward who played consistently well but not outstandingly against Hutt United was Miss B. Murphy. Poneke’s left wing, Miss June Riley, has been seen to much better advantage than was the case last week. Undoubtedly she is a good left wing at her best, and it is to be hoped she will reveal her true value against Horowhenua, An outstanding game is credited Miss J. Bleakley, St. Joseph’s right half, in the match against Hutt. Miss Bleakley

has been playing so well this season that her inclusion in the senior B representative team to meet Wairarapa" here on August 28 came as no surprise. Miss Mary Baillie excelled herself at centrehalf, amending for her weak display in the trial match of the previous week. Junior Team’s High Class Flay. | Surprisingly fast and exhilarating | hockey was produced by the two, unbeat- | cn junior teams, Petone Technical Old , Giris and Karori, at Woburn last week. [ The display was of such a standard that ; it compared more than favourably with that seen in the senior B grade, and both teams are to be complimented on the per- ■ romance. There was nothing between the teams, but in positional play Petone Technical Old Girls showed to better ad- \ vantage, each player showing splendid anticipation. The deciding goal of the match went to the credit of Miss R. Findlay, Petone Technical Old Girls’ centre-forward, who showed herself to be very fast and clever with the stick. Her performances this season have been of a high standard. Miss D. Clements, centre-half, upset most of the Karori offensives, playing a cool, heady game. Miss N. Pointon, left wing, proved fast and clever, but did not see sufficient of the ball, as the main attack came from the right. Although not having a great deal to do. the Petone backs executed what came their way., in splendid fashion with well-directed hits, proof of this being the fact that thfey did not concede a corner throughout the game. This success places Petone level with Karori for the championship, with a game .-'till in hand. To Tour Dominion. Advice has been received from Southland that Eastern Southland, premier women’s hockey province of New Zealand, and holders of the famous K Cup on no fewer than six occasions, are to embark on a tour of New Zealand at the conclusion of the Dominion tournament. A sub-comm’ttee of the Wellington Women’s Hockey Association has been appointed to consider the advisability of playing a match against Eastern in Wellington during September. Amended Third Grade Fixtures. Two amended third-grade fixtures for Saturday are as follows: —Technical Old Girls v. Technical B„ Nairn Street, 3 p.m.; Huia v. Upper Hutt, Maidstone Park. Upper Hutt, 2.30 p.m.