HARPER CUP

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 204, 30 July 1931, Page 8

HARPER CUP

MANAWATU BEAT BUSH. Challenged by the' Bush Ladies’ Hockey Association for the Harper Cup, Manawatu were successful in the match played at the Sportsground yesterday, winning by two goals to one. The game created considerable excitement during the second spell and good hockey was produced. Bush were a much improved team and only, narrowly missed a draw. The teams were as follow:

Manawatu (green).—Mrs Mowbray, Misses G. McKenzie, M. Scott, E. Robson, M. Godfrey, W. Robson, Winiata. Campbell, J. Simpson, W. Ranson and F. Highfield. • Bush (blue and yellow).—Misses I. Cavanagh, M. Biddle. J. Davis, Mrs A. Murray, Misses I. Hawkes, B. Percy, Mrs Gregory, Misses M. Bailey, E. Cavanagh, D. Davis and M. Dearl. Manawatu opened brilliantly and pressed hard, severely testing the Bush back line. The defenders gained relief when a free hit for off-side was awarded them and they broke clear. Miss Simpson intercepted, however, and commenced a nice rush. Misses Highfield and Godfrey carried on the movement but the latter failed wit.i the shot at goal. There was a great deal of give and take pi ay un ti l Bush broke away again, hut they did not stay long in Manawatu territory. Miss W. Ranson secured and a fine rush put Manawatu in a goaling position. hut Miss Ranson lost her balance at the crucial moment and Bush were able to clear through the agency of Miss Percy. Miss Simpson broke up the Bush combination for .Miss Rtrnson to secure the hall again and she beat Miss Cavanagh at close range. Manawatu 1, Bush 0. Miss Campbell led Manawatu on a determined dash from the bully off and subjected the Bush backs to pressure, but play was forced back. Bush turned the tables without warning and excellent combination enabled them to give Miss Scott and Miss McKenzie a great deal of defence work. Mrs Gregory passed to Miss D. Davis whose powerful shot was saved only with difficulty by Mrs Mowbray. Encouraged, Bush brightened up considerably and attacked more consistently. Miss E. Cavanagh failed to find the net from a cross hit from Mrs Gregory, and just prior to half-time Manawatu regained control. , The home team commenced the second spell with aggressive tactics, Miss Simpson being in the van. Miss Ranson took possession, of the ball and passed to Miss Highfield, who, eight minutes after resumption, succeeded in increasing Manawatu’s lead.

Manawatu 2, Bush 0. Play sparkled considerably and Miss McKenzie saved from Bush when it was almost certain the visitors would open their account. Bush played determinedly and held on, but Miss Scott eased the pressure and sent out the ball to Miss Highfield who effected a break-away. Mrs Murray intercepted and passed to Miss E. Cavanagh who shot in hard. The goalkeeper returned the ball, but Miss Dear! returned it smartly and succeeded with a rapid return shot. Manawatu 2, Bush 1. Play became very exciting. Mrs Murray and Kirs Gregory were responsible for Busty’s superiority in attack and both gave the goalkeeper anxious moments. Miss Campbell was playing a fine game for Manawatu and Miss Winiata and Miss Highfield endeavoured to penetrate the visitors’ back line. Miss Dearl was clever on defence, however, and rendered their movements useless. Fine hockey was being played when time was called to terminate a willing contest. Messrs Parton and Scott refereed. MANAWATU B WIN.. Playing simultaneously with the challenge match, the respective associations met in a B game and Manawatu again proved the winners. Play was ragged and not always scientific, but it was an entertaining match. At halftime, Manawatu led by two goals to nil. Miss F. Smith and Miss H. Hall having goaled. .The final score was 4 —2 in Manawatu’s favour, Miss.M. Linklater and Miss Smith netting for the winners and Miss D. Lett (2) for Bush. Messrs Mitchell and Cosford refereed. Out of respect to the memory of the late Mrs M. A. Eliott, who was a vicepresident of the Manawatu Ladies' Hockey Association, each member of the local teams wore a black button during the games. MEN’S COMPETITION GAMES. The Manawatu Men’s Hockey Association conducted its competition matches at the Terrace End Park and the Sportsground yesterday. At Terrace End, Central Old Boys beat Phoenix by two goals to one. At half-time, R. Hoare had scored for C. 0.8. and Findlay for Phoenix. In the second spell, Morris added to C.O.B’s. total. At the Sportsground, Kia Ora beat Palmerston North by two goals to nil. Smith and Elliott netted for the winners.