LADIES' HOCKEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20623, 23 July 1930, Page 20

LADIES' HOCKEY.

PROVINCIAL CUP CONTESTS. SUCCESS OF YOUNG PLAYERS. The competition between ladies' hockey teams for the Auckland Provincial Cup in the Country Week tournament last week was exceptionally keen and produced some excellent play. The entries numbered 16, and the teams were divided into four sections for the preliminary rounds. Thames, Whangarei, .Auckland A and Auckland 15 won their respective sections, each without loss, and the semi-finals and final were full of interest. Something in the nature ol a surprise was caused by the defeat of the two most experienced teams, Whangarei and Auckland A, in the semi-finals. The Thames and Auckland B players made up in speed and keenness what they lacked in experience. These Iwo sides were evenly matched, and when they met in the final an exciting game resulTod. A fast pace was maintained throughout, and the two sides took the lead in turn. The issue was in doubt until Ihe final whistle sounded with Auckland B victorious by four goals to three The standard of play, even in the preliminaries, when playing conditions were not all that could be. expected, was uniformly high. The final served to show in a most favourable light several young players of great promise. More should be heard of them in future 1 epresentative matches. Following is the list of teams which have held the Provincial Cup since tim inauguration of the competition:— 1912 —Hamilton. J 913. —I'aeron. 1914. Auckland. 1919.—Auckland. 1920.—Auckland. 1921.—Auckland and Whangarei. 1922-23. —King Cou ti try. 1924. Auckland. 1925.—l'otorua. 192C).—Waikato 1927. —Auckland ] 923 —Waikato 1929.—Whangarei, Rangitaiki and Auckland. 1930 Auckland B.