HOCKEY TEST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23083, 7 July 1938, Page 16

HOCKEY TEST

GAME BETWEEN WOMEN

VICTORY FOR ENGLAND MARGIN OF THREE GOALS [BY TELEGRAPH —IMIKSS ASSOCIATION] CimiSTCIIURCir, Wednesday In a game that was a good exhibition of hockey in tho circumstances, the touring English women's team heat Xew Zealand :in the first test match at Lancaster Park by 4 goals to 1. The ground was very soft and wot. and a few minutes after tho start tho field was churned up. In spito of tho cold, damp weather, thero was an attendanco of about 2000.

Tho match was a triumph for tho tactics of tho English team, which, in the earlier stages, looked as if it would win by a big margin. When New Zealand had settled down,' however, tho play was much moro even, tho second half being very closely contested. The main difference between tho teams was .the superior combination and positional play of the visitors. Tho centring hits of ■ tho English wing forwards were always better placed than those of the New Zealand players, who were passing tho ball straight across tho field instead of upfield. In the first half this difference was most marked, but after tho spell the home side played much better. The English forwards had more understanding than tho New Zealanders. They were, however, hampered by the heavy ground and their play was hardly up to the high standard set against Canterbury, when conditions were much better. Excellent Stickwork Miss J. L. O'Donoghuo was perhaps the most prominent, but she was little ahead of Misses J. F. Wright and B. W. West. All three showed good stickwork and positional play. Miss J. E. Dowling, on the loft wing, was not seen at her best in the mud, but her centring hits were always accurately placed and sho used lier v speed to advantage. Miss E. Shelmerdine, on the right, was always dangerous and she made some good openings for her inside forwards.

The English halves had a better understanding of positional play than those of New Zealand, and, besides placing their passes to the forwards accurately, they were adept at stopping the ball and covering tip when necessary. Miss Jv. Thompson, at centre, did a lot of good work, although alio was not often in the limelight. Misses M. J. Lodge and B. Fairgrievo also did their share, both on attack and defence. The backs, Misses M. M. Knott and M. E. Collins, were both very safe and worked well together. Miss G. Huggins in goal made some good saves, although she) was not overworked. Lack of Understanding

The New Zealand forwards played well, but they did not have tho understanding that comes only through practice together. They improved as the game went on, but their combination was at times faulty and their positional play not always of the best. Miss M. McKenzie was perhaps tho best, but she was little ahead of Mi»3 M. Nicol on the right wing. They combined better than any of the others. Miss H. McLellan, inside left, was always to tho fore. She made several good openings and her goal was a fine piece of work. Miss M. Sherriff, at centre, played her usual solid game and did her best to open up the play. Miss D. Dickey, on tho left wing, was like tho rest—not suited by the ground. She nevertheless made several good runs and was prominent on several occasions. Hard Task for Halves The halves had a hard task in stopping the English forwards. Their chief fault wjis their positional play, which sometimes left big gaps for the English forwards to go through. Miss S. Aldridge, at centre, was the best. Her work was always neat and she fed tho forwards well at every chance. Miss M. Sanson improved greatly in the second spell, when she was right at the top of her form. Miss A. Mackie, on the left, was another who improved as the game went on. Miss A. McDonald lived up to her reputation as the best back in New Zealand. Her defence was always sound and she got her side out of trouble time and time again. Miss W. Woolley, although not as sure as her partner, did a lot of good work, - and Miss Rhind in goal made some fine saves. Misses Wright, Dowling and O'Dom oghuo netted for England, another goal being awarded for obstruction, while Miss McLellan scored for New Zealand;