BRILLIANT DISPLAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 143, 20 June 1938, Page 6

BRILLIANT DISPLAY

ENGLISH TEAM WINS j CANTERBURY WELL BEATEN (By Tclt'srnpli—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, June 18. In the presence of nearly 4000 people, the English touring women's hockey team soundly defeated Canterbury by o goals to I on a ground rnuae neavy by severe frosts following rain in the early part of the week. In nearly every part of the game the home side was hopelessly outclassed and on the display today it is very doubtful if the English team will be beaten in New Zealand. Canterbury was considered to be a strong side, but at no time did the team even look like winning, let alone scoring goals. The speed of the visi tors greatly impressed the crowd, who were amazed at the wonderful ball control. They attacked with equal ease on either wing, where the forwards gave displays better than anything that has ever been seen before. Their combination was first class and the positional play a revelation. The halves also possessed very great speed, with the result that the Canterbury forwards had few chances to make openings and their backing up and combination were excellent. The backs also were never found out of position and gave displays which thoroughly justified their international reputations.

The only department of the game in which Canterbury was not outclassed was that of goalkeeper, where Miss Rhind gave a display equal to that of Miss Huggins, who had fewer shots to stop. The display of Miss Dowling on the English left wing was first class and one of the high lights of the game. Possessing uncanny control of the ball and exceptional speed, she made holes in the Canterbury defence. Misses Wright and O'Donoghue displayed stickwork better than anything seen previously and the same can be said of Misses, Rathbone and Shelmerdine. Miss Thompson at centre half was one of the outstanding players on the field, Her field work was brilliant and she gave her forwards every chance. The same can be said of Misses Lodge and Fairgrieve, who kept their positions excellently and gave every help to the backs. Misses Knott and Collins were a sound pair of backs who were never in difficulties. For Canterbury Miss Watkin, right back, was the outstanding player. The team, however, did not live up to expectations. The forwards had few chances,

and of the halves Misses S. Aldridge and Riddell played best. The forwards were not allowed to combine and had to rely on solo bursts, which were easily stopped by the very sound defence. In the second half the English team was content to maintain the lead of 5 goals to 1, only a single goal being added after the interval. The scorers for England were Misses Wright (2), Dowling (2), O'Donoghue, and Rathbone. Canterbury's only goal came from a breach by the English goalie, Miss Huggins, in a penalty bully awarded for obstruction.