WOMEN'S HOCKEY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 2, 2 July 1938, Page 24

WOMEN'S HOCKEY

WELLINGTON TEAM

SIDE'S STRENGTH

NOTES ON THE PLAYERS

(By "Corner.")

The team selected by the sole selector Miss C. M. Wilkins to represent Wellington, and meet the touring English team next Saturday appears in all, ways to be about the strongest that Wellington could have prodliced. As a province Wellington has always had a high fating, and the game next Saturday should be a keen and hard contest. With the exception of Miss N. Prestney and Miss Z. Morris the whole team have been Wellington representatives before. Last season Miss Prestney, who previous to coming to Wellington | played as a half-back, represented Canterbury, and Miss Morris is an exOtago representative. The choice of Miss 1.. Pickering as captain was according to expectation, and is a wise one as Miss Pickering has led the Wellington team to victory many times before.

Although the trial game played at Newtown Park last Saturday afternoon was disappointing from a spectator's point of view, it probably served its purpose of distinguishing between players who appeared to have equal chances of selection in the team. On the actual play it would have been difficult to place any player better than the others, but the game possibly lacked sparkle on account of a certain amount of nervousness of the players on trial. The heaviness of the ground also prevented the teams from displaying any speed.

This year's representative team should be capable of working up a solid combination. Unlike an international side the players know each other, and each other's characteristics well, and if they have sufficient practice next week the hockey public of Wellington should see some outstanding play next Saturday.

The following are some brief notes on the personnel of the team:—

I. Pickering (captain), (C.0.G.), is one of the finest right wings in New Zealand at the present time. She played in the New Zealand team against the Fijian tourists in 1936! She is known for her ability in the cricket field as well as for her hockey prowess.

H. MoLellan (C.0.G.), inside right, is the only Wellington player to have gained selection in the New Zealand team. She has been a Wellington representative several times before, and should be one of the leading players in the game next Saturday.

N. Prestney (C.0.G.), centre-forward, will play her first game for Wellington next Saturday as this is her first season in Wellington hockey. Was a Canterbury representative for some years and is a very fast player.

J. Mack (T.0.G.1.), inside left, has been a Wellington representative for some seasons. She has revealed good hockey this year, and should play well against the English girls.

J. Riley (Poneke), left wing, is an exceedingly fast and agile forward, who has been prominent in all her club games this season. She has been a Wellington representative player before, and should give the English halves some trouble.

Mrs. V. Keillor (Hutt United), goalkeeper, is very cool, and has good judgment. She has been a Wellington representative before.

J. McDowell (Hutt United), lefthalf, was considered one of the best halves at the annual Dominion tournament last year. Her play this year has been of a very high standard.

T. Monk (Hutt United), centre-half, was one of the most outstanding players at the last Dominion tournament. She has been playing up to form this season, and should be prominent in her representative fixtures.

I. Morris (C.0.G.), right-half, has been a North Otago representative. She plays a very solid type of half game.

Z. Morris (C.0.G.), left full-back, is a newcomer to Wellington representative hockey, and she also has been a North Otago representative. She has shaped well in- W^meton since she has been here.

M. Simpson (T.O.G. I), right fullback, represented Wellington at the last two Dominion tourneys. She is a young player who has a long way to go in the hockey sphere. The two emergencies Mesdames A. Smith (Hutt United), and F. Sundgren (Hutt United), have both been Wellington representatives previously. Dance for English Team. General interest has been aroused in the dance to be held in honour of the All England women's hockey team which is at present touring New Zealand. This dance is being given by the Technical College Old Students' Hockey Club in the new Assembly Hall at the College on Saturday next, July 9. Every effort is being made to ensure that this function will be on.c of the most enjoyable and successful dances of the season. A large attendance of old students and friends is expected. j