INTERPROVINCIAL HOCKEY

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 58, 6 September 1917, Page 4

INTERPROVINCIAL HOCKEY

MANAWATU GIRLS VANQUISH WAIRARAPA.

There were many interested spectators at the Basin Reserve yesterday afternoon, when the first of a series of interprovincial hockey matches promoted by the Wellington Ladies' Hockey Association was played. The contesting centres were Wairarapa and Manawatu, both of which have played a conspicuous part in big hockey in past years. Speaking generally, the game was always satisfying from the spectators' point of view, though its one-sided character robbed it of a good deal of interest. It was plainly apparent that Manawa.tu had received careful coaching in preparation for the visit to Wellington, and their play was always marked by clever combined effort. The whole eleven worked with the utmost enthusiasm, and at times tho play of the forwards equalled the best we have seen in tournament matches. The "veterans" —Misses Collingwood, Green, Whally, and Kerslake (captain)—added further to their reputations, while the younger players all justified their inclusion. . Miss .Wballey worked brilliantly throughout while at half Miss Hodder was almost unbeatable. Some of the passing was wonderfully accurate, and suggested judicious coaching. Wairarapa were only a shade of their former selves. In the past the name "Wairarapa" has been one to conjure with in the hockey world, but new players have come forward, and will require building up before they recover the lost laurels. Spectacular individual work marked their play at times, but they sadly lacked the essential combination— the necessary finishing-touch. Miss Tully, who played in goa-1, had plenty of work to do, and acquitted herself brilliantly. Miss Knowles was the best of the forwards, while the backs worked hard, but lacked cleverness. Miss S.. Simons, of Wellington, who played for Wairarapa as substitute, was always in the picture. As the score indicates —it was 10—0 in favour of Manawatu —the game was extremely one-sided. The scorers were: — Misses Kerslake (4), Collingwood (2), Soflet (1), Green (2), and Hodder (1). The referees were Mr. J. C. Cueack and Mr. A.' W. Manning. . The matches are being continued this afternoon.