HOCKEY WOMEN SHOW PROMISE

Grey River Argus, 3 May 1947, Page 6

HOCKEY WOMEN SHOW PROMISE

On Saturday morning last, two women’s teams, consiting of twenty-one players assembled at the Recreation Ground and a very enjoyable game resulted. Although the . majority of players had not participated in this sport, before, quite a number of them showed considerable promise, and it will be only a matter of strict tuition, coaching and constant practice before good form will be seen. The most noticeable fault was the method of holding the stick and this fact was drawn to the attention of the various team coaches. Congratulations are extended to Trinity, in obtaining as their coach, Miss Taaffe In previous years when women’s hockey flourished on the Coast, Miss Taaffe was included in the list of leading players, and under her capable guidance and care, Trinity should develop into a very useful eleven. UMPIRE’S DECISIONS On Saturday the number of appeals to umpires was very noticeable. Each team had been issued with a pamphlet containing signals which would be used by the umpires when an infringement occurred, and therefore, ' it should not have been necessary. The rule book definitely states that appealing will not be permitted. Body play is still very much in evidence. This is definitely a breach, and one club in particular, is very persistent in this infringement. Umpires are reluctant to order a player off, but clubs and players in particular, can have no complaint if the umpires take the more drastic step of suspending the player or players concerned. AN EVEN GAME The Cobden-Greymouth game resulted in a win for the former by four goals to two, thus placing these two teams on a par, both teams having won and lost a game each. The game was very evenly contested, with Cobden perhaps displaying more con- | certed effort in their forward line I than on previous occasions l . Cobden’s success was due to the penetrating ability of their forwards, who took advantage of very opportunity. M. Eatwell, whose knowledge of the game is excellent, would serve his team better if he concentrated more on positional play. S. Hill and J.- Carter, the remaining inside forwards, were always in the van of attacking movements. On the right wing, McDonald played well, but needs to get rid of the ball sooner to ■ his- inside forwards. Until his retirement, late in the first spell, C. Douglas played well. H. Eatwell again gave a good display at centre half. The Nimmo brothers were always solid on defence, turning the game to Cobden’s advantage on numerous occasions \yith their strong clearing shots, but both have a tendency to turn on the ball when being pressed in their own quarter. On more than one ocassion this infringement was allowed to pass unpenalised. G. Swinbourne showed a ' lot of improvement on his former game for Greymouth. With E. Newton he put up a solid defence, but when Newton was moved to the forward line, Swinbourne received no support from Simon, who subsequently replaced Newton in that

position. M. Newton gave’a good display at centre half, but received no valuable support from the outside. Greymouth’s weakness was undoubtedly in their half line, M. Newton being the only regular half available. Greymouth forwards lacked the sting so apparent in their former successes, and it was quite evident that Kendon was missed. D. Bradley and J. Best and later E. Newton were the best of the Greymoutli forwards. CONSISTENT PLAYER R. Bennett, at centre forward, was again consistent when he scored all three of iiis team's goals in the Pacific-Wheelman game. Bennett is a versatile player, and must be considered as a prospective representative player. His positional play, knowledge of stick-work, and speed, are factors to his credit, and Bennett certainly knows how and when to apply these assets. Wheelman had an early advantage, opening their account with a fine goal by G. Williams, but as in the previous week’s game, they slumped badly, and appeared to lose confidence one Pacific had netted twice. Pacific finally won by three goals to one.

Apart from Bennett, none of the Pacific team was really outstanding, although they combined and played together well as a team. At centre half, R. Hutchings was always safe, I but he has a tendency to play a dangerous scoop shot in close quarters. Outside Hutchings, Eddington shaped well and should show further improvement as the season progresses. W. Hoskins did not appear to be sure of some of his strokes, but otherwise he played a sound game. M. Bergamini and R. Mellett were the mainstays of the Wheelmen’s team. On a number of occasions these two held Pacific at bay, but they received very little support from the remainder of Wheelmen’s defence. P. Smith was the only half to show that he has a knowledge of the game. His ability to execute the "push” shot is of decided advantage and a lot of younger players would do well to study Smith’s form in this respect. G. Williams and V. Goodall combined well in the forward line, and it is a pity that neither of these two has the ability to put the finishing touches on to some of their movements. G. William’s goal was a really fine effort. P. Clarke, at centre forward for Rangers was not tried to any great extent in the game against Marist. Early in the game he received a knee injury, which greatly hampered his game. J. Thomson, inside left, does not understand the “off-side” rule. On several occasion when Rangers were in a good position Thomson was caught off-side and the advantage lost. J. Hurren played well at centre half, and showed some of the ability which gained him this position in the West Coast Eleven that played against the last visiting Indian team. He still needs a lot of practice to reveal his true form. Blyth on the left half did not play up to his usual standard. Sequin and A. Lamberton both showed considerable improvement on last Saturday’s game and saved Rangers a lot of hard work. Cooper in goal for the first time, made one or two good saves, but requires a lot of experience to make the grade to class hockey. j