WOMEN’S Hockey

Evening Star, Issue 23657, 17 August 1940, Page 7 (Supplement)

WOMEN’S Hockey

Right Half——-

Umpires. Complaints have been received from time to time that some umpires fail to keep their appointents. On Saturday week, of tho four umpires appointed to Logan Park matches, three failed to turn out. Players are left without anyone to control their games, the Women’s Association finds cause for complaint, and the Umpires’ Association loses prestige; all because certain members prefer to put other things first. Should umpires be unable to take their matches it is their duty to inform the appointors early in the week so that other arrangements can bo made.

Possibles v. Probables. The selectors have cliosen a fine array of talent for the trial match to-day. Of the custodians both can. bo relied upon to do well. Miss Sew Hoy has given some good performances this season, and Miss Paterson was unlucky not to gain representative honours last season. The full-backs are all safe. Miss Phillips has given outstanding displays, and M. Nicholson is recognised as perhaps tho best in the competition. E. Symon and L. Geddes are both playmg good hockey. Of the half-backs, B. Turner will offer serious opposition to M. Fisher for the centre berth. B. Campbell should win her place on the left, and at right half there will be a between D. Kennedy and A. Mackie. In the front line W. Ryan will need to be at her best to head off E. Stinson, whose game this year is vastly improved. On the right two young players have been given a chance, though A, Marshall may be considered unlucky. Both G. Stewart and L. Riach have been prominent in club hockey. For the inside berths the selectors are evidently looking for an attacking combination. Three College for wards together should have everyin their favour, but H. Hardy, P. Wallis, and R. Cumberbeach are all good, have plenty of big hockey experience, are all fine shots, and must have a chance. The battle for the front lino positions should be a stiff one. and the selectors will meet a difficulty here Other fine players have missed inclusion and can bo considered unlucky. The talent offered is fairly representative, and those selected should mould into a formidable side. The team will bo announced early next week.

Saturday’s Games. Brighton gave a bright display to take their match against Varsity.'College wore on top of Kings 11. all the way; their tally was a huge one. Dunedin were all out to head off the Moitiona eleven, and in the big match Otago got homo by the odd goal in a fast game, in which Kings 1., playing with great dash in the latter stages, were unlucky to lose. To-day’s final promised to be a great tost of strength, and the issue is quite open, —Brighton v. Varsity.—

Good full-back work and poor efforts in the forward divisions were features

of this match. The Blue forwards failed; their attempts to combine in attack were broken into by the lied backs, who also failed to feed their forwards. -Many good efforts were marred when, after gaining possession of the ball, backs and halves held on too long and were beaten. Brighton gave a better display last week, but they again failed to combine. They proved stronger individually in the rearguard than Varsity, who also showed a tendency to solo play. It was hard fought all the way, but it was not first-class hockey. Brighton won 3-2. —Dunedin v. Momona. — These teams met in a dour struggle. Up-and-down play brought little result ; the forwards went solo and poor placing by the respective half-lines failed to place to advantage. Quite often they played right into their opponents’ hands. Dunedin were without Miss Nicholson, whose absence usually upsets their rearguard. D. Kennedy was again safe, and P. Sturgeon was, at times, outstanding. For Momona 11. Bennett played a useful game, and J. Seeknp was a sound half. P. Mitchell played her usual reliable game. Dunedin just got homo by 2-1. —College v. King’s II. — The latter were no match for the strong College eleven, who gave a masterly display against a weakened side. They held a territorial advantage for the greater part of the time and it was seldom that their strong rearguard was seriously challenged! Kings’ back division was kept continually on defence; when they cleared' it was in a hurry and there was little chance of placing to advantage against a heady College rearguard. Though the score was heavy against them, the eight who took the field must be given credit for a plucky uphill fight. —Otago v. Kings I. Kings, with two points to the good, found Otago on the job. The latter needed an outright win to have a chance, and they played at the top of their form. It was class hockey, and they both gave of their best. Otago got home by the odd goal in three, but they were lucky to keep the Kings’ forwards out in the later stages of the fame. Full credit must go to the Otago alf-line, especially Misses Campbell and A. Mackio, who played sterling games. R Morton and Anderson wore very safe, and the best forwards were W Ryan and J. Sew Hoy M. Fisher, the Kings’ centre-half, was outstanding on defence; her only fault was a tendency to hit too hard. S. Colder was in the thick of it all the time. K. Symon and E. Caldcr tackled well; the former has a fault in that she runs with an opponent instead of tackling immediately. Kings’ front lino did not •show their former good combination, duo. probably, to the smart tackling of the opposition. With the championship final to be played to-day, the following is the position :

Team Cup P. W. D L F. A. Pts. Kings 1. ... 14 12 0 2 (32 21 24 Otago 14 11 9 i 49 7 24 College 14 9 a 9 72 19 21 Brighton ... 14 5 9 7 2(3 44 12 Dunedin ..C 14 5, 9 7 16 37 12 Varsity 13 5 1 7 37 34 11 Momona 14 9 1 n 12 53 5 Kings II. ... 13 i 1 12 5 65 1