WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23558, 22 July 1938, Page 5

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

THIRD TEST MATCH NEW ZEALAND OUTCLASSED EIGHT GOALS TO TWO (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 21. England outclassed New Zealand in the third women’s hockey test match, scoring eight goals to two, before a moderate attendance at the Basin Reserve to-day. The conditions were unpleasant. rain from the south falling practically throughout, and the ground resembling a quagmire. Considering the conditions, the players held their feet remarkably well. , Judging by their display to-day. there is no doubting the fact that the Englishwomen can play hockey of an exceptionally high standard irrespective of conditions, and it could be plainly seen why England is recognised as the producer of the best women hockey players in the world. England adapted their play better in the early stages, and this was sufficient to give them a good lead in the opening spell. The strength of the visitors lay in the more even quality of the players and the excellent understanding in all departments, which New Zealand lacked. They displayed a fuller appreciation of tactics and the attacking movements were well devised and forced home resolutely. England fully demonstrated the great value of positional play, the forward line atacking in nice unison, A pass rarely went astray. The halves always fell back into position after opening an attack, and the backs did likewise after breaking a New Zealand offensive. On the other hand, the New Zealanders were being perpetually forced into errors by the smart manoevring of the visitors. It seemed that the smart tackling and quick clearance of the ball by England nonplussed the New Zealanders, and as a result the visitors smartly found loopholes in the defence and piled up the goals The scorers for England were K. Thompson, J. L. O’Donoghue (4), J. F Wright (2), B. West, and for New Zealand S. Aldridge and H. McLellan The umpires were Misses E. J. Warwick (England) and M. Wilkins (Wellington). The teams were:—

England.—Misses G. Huggins. M. M. Knott (captain), M. E. Collins, B. Fairgrieve, J. Thompson. M. J. Lodge, E. Shelmerdine, J. ' Wright, B. West. J. O’Donoghue, J. Dowling. New Zealand. —Misses M. Rhind. A McDonald, W. Woolley, T. Monk. S. Aldridge, A. Mackie, M. Nicol, H. McLellan, M. McKenzie. M. Sherriff, and D. Deckey. New Zealand’s best performances in the match were in the first half and towards the close of the second spell, when a number of good scoring opportunities went astray through lack of finish in the circle. The half-line played much below their efforts in the previous tests, and seldom assisted the vanguard to open up attacks. They failed to attack their opponents at the logical moment, allowing the opposing forwards to race through the defence with case. The outstanding player of the line was the cqntre, S. Aldridge, who worked unceasingly-. A. Mackie s play was only fair, but T. Monk was weak. In the early stages the fullbacks, A. McDonald and W. Woolley, showed up prominently, but just when they were expected to display their true quality in the second half they failed, showing not the least semblance of solid tackling. This worked well into the hands of the English forwards, whose main stumbling block was the goalkeeper, M. Rhind, who gave a brilliant exhibition, clearing shots with both boot and stick which looked certain goals. The outstanding forward was the right-wing, M. Nicol, who made some beautiful openings which, however, were not fully appreciated by the inners, who were not quick enough to reach the ball.

The English backs and the centrehalf always held their measure. H. McLellan the inside-right, made a few bright movements, from one of which she scored. M. McKenzie, centreforward. was well marked by the English centre-half, and was rarely permitted to become dangerous in the circle. The English inside-left, J. L. O’Donoghue was brilliant and always dangerous. She exploited the push and scoop strokes to great advantage, scoring all her goals from these. J. IP. Wright and B. West showed neat stick-work and positional play J. E. Dowling was seen to good advantage on the left wing, her centring hits being always accurately placed, and her speed was too much for the New Zealand left-half. E. Shelmerdino, right-wing, was always dangerous when the ball went her way. and she was responsible for some clever openings for her inside players. The halves’ understanding of positional play was almost superb, and they were adeot at stopping the ball and covering up when necessary. At centre K. Thompson worked hard, and M. J. Lodge and B. Fairgrieve, wing-halves, successfully held the New Zealand flank attacks. M. M. Knott was the outstanding full-back, breaking many bright New Zealand attacks in the early stages and towards the close. Her partner, M. E. Collins, also played safely. The goalkeeper, G. Huggins, but for two close-in shots which beat her, was not overworked.