WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 204, 26 May 1938, Page 6

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Poor Hitting Noticeable CORRECTIVE METHODS Notes On Last Week’s Plajjf

(By

Critic.)

Women's hockey games at Woburn ou Saturday were notable for the fact that few of the players, especially in the lower grade match, could hit the ball well and accurately. There were some in the senior game who could hit it half the length of the field, but often this type of shooting went in the wrong direction. The cause of such poor hitting was the outcome of bad stance when taking tne hit, standing almost rigidly, driving, and at the same time throwing head and shouldei-e back, causing the stroke to have an upward lift, invariably followed by a breach of “sticks” and the ball being driven in the wrong direction. It would be an advantage to glance up, when in the act of passing or shooting, smartly determine the destination of the ball, grip the stick firmly, and as the hit is taken step into it. By this I mean bring the weight off the foot behind, the ball on to the one stepping into the stroke. The result is a hit into the ball and not at it. Lean forward as you hit, not. crouch, and keep the head down until the ball has left the stick; and to complete the stroke follow through; that is, t keep going after the ball has gone. A poor hitter could do worse than practice, striking at a post from 30 to 50 yards away, endeavouring to hit it good and hard. Reviving GaJne in Horowhenua.

News of the prospects of preventing; women’s hockey in Horowhenua from go-' ing into recess this season is welcome. I have received information to the effect that there is every likelihood of at least three clubs entering the competition. Strong efforts are being made to form a fourth clubhand for this purpose the opening of the season has been postponed until, next month. . .

At the annual meeting of the association Mr. H. M. Nicolson, “father” of hockey in the Hprowehnua district, was unanimously re-elected patron of the association. Mr. J. Gillespie was again appointed president and Mrs. Seal secretary.

St. Joseph's Club Loss, It was with regret that 1 learned uf the-' death on Monday _ \ morning from pneumonia while visiting Auckland of Miss Adele Brookly, Riddiford Street, Wellington. A keen hockey player, Miss Brooky was a member of the St. Joseph’s club, Wellington, and before the present season'was a prominent halfback in the club’s senior B team. It had been her intention to play for the team on her return to Wellington. Before the formation of the St. Joseph’s club Miss Brooky played for College Old Girls, learning her hockey with that club. Always taking an enthusiastic interest in club matters, she did much for the promotion and welfare of both the St. Joseph’s and College Old Girls’ clubs.

Senior Play and Players. In the match against Hutt Valley Miss N. Beavis, T.O.G. I’s right wing, played a sound game. Miss J. Riley, Poueke’s left wing, although one of the least worked of the forwards, revealed in the last 10 minutes of the match at Woburn that had the halves

presented her with the necessary opportunities earlier she would more than likely have been the means of saving Poneke ; from defeat. Possessing the build for speed, she displayed it to such advantage as to outpace the Hutt defence on two successive occasions, scoring on the first. I would like to see the Poneke halves support this smart winger to much better advantage than was the case last Saturday. Miss Riley should be in the running for the left-wing , posit ion in the Wellington representative team to play England in July. Mrs. F. Sundgreu, Hutt United right wing, was not utilised to the extent expected, but what little play went her way was- splendidly executed. Her varied stick work and snappy push strokes at times had the Poneke right half and back puzzled. Mrs. Sundgren, who plays a heady game, revealed on Saturday that she is as good as ever with the stick. Miss M. Dawber, at inner, worked well with Mrs. Sundgren, but still I would prefer to see Miss Dawber on the wing with Mrs. Sundgren at inner. These two appear to be developing a good understanding. A solid defensive game was played by Miss E. Mclndoe, Poneke right fullback. She saved her side 'from some awkward situations on Saturday and with the co-operation of Mrs. 'Harris, left ■back, made a strong line of;defence. Miss T. Monk, ex-T.O.G. half, who is now occupying the centre-half position in the Hutt United team, fed her forwards well on Saturday, particularly the left ’ flank. However, she concentrated too much on the left, allowing the right, which held the key position to scoring, to be neglected. It would be an advantage if she varied her support to the front line and placed the ball to good purpose. Considering it was her first match *of the season the goalkeeping of Mrs. S. Ballard for Poneke last week was of a particularly high standard. The shot that beat her was of the type that would have baffled the best. Mrs. Ballard should prove an acquisition to Poneke in future matches. Result Correction.

The result of the intermediate match between T.O.G. and St. Joseph’s, played last Saturday, was inadvertently reported as a win for T.O.G. The correct result favoured St. Joseph’s by 2 goals to 1 , t<!lephoning “ The Dominion” (44022) between 6 and 7 p.m. on Saturdays, or on Sunday afternoons after 2.30, chibs can be assured of correct low’er-grade results being published each Monday. In the above ease the Press was unfortunately supplied with the wrong result.