LADIES’ HOCKEY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17125, 4 December 1929, Page 3

LADIES’ HOCKEY

SOUTH AFRICAN TRIP COMMENT ON SELECTIONS (By “Sticks”) The announcement of 18 players from whom the final selection of tho New Zealand ladies’ hockey team to tour South Africa wifi ho made, if tho trip eventuates, has caused a little criticism in Gisborne, the wisdom of somo of flic selections being questioned. The fact that Poverty Bay will not be represented in the team does not feature in the criticisms, because it was realised that this district’s sole representative, Miss K. Bilham, in tho inter-island match held here at tho dose of the Dominion - championships, had strong competition for her position, although she acquitted herself well. Tho main reason for criiticism in the opinion of “Sticks” is that somo of the players at tho tournament who were not then considered of sufficient merit to - secure selection in the inter-island match have been chosen among the 18 for final selection for the South African tour, while at least, one player is well out of her position. The merit of the individual players cannot well he commented upon on their performances during tho tournament by one who saw only the tournament play and none of the other matches in which they took

part earlier in the season. This would be hardly fair, ns players may have been off color during the championships. There, appears to ho a number of inconsistencies in the selections, however, in practically all departments except in the full backs. The two goalkeepers who participated in the inter-island game have been overlooked apparently. Misses M. Lo\ye, Eastern Southland, and M. Dennis, Ruahine, wero the two custodians, with the former putting up the better display. Neither has secured selection as keeper, and Miss Huggins, of Wellington, has been put in. 'She certainly gave a good performance during the tournament games, and has sufficient merit for the position, but if Miss Lowe was available the latter should have been superior. The question also arises, why was Miss Dennis given preference in the inter-island game if Miss Huggins was considered superior? No exception can be taken to the full backs nominated by the selectors. All are worthy of places, judging by thenplay at Gisborne during the tournament, but in the final selection Misses Miller, Wellington, and Brums, Canterbury, should certainly have preference on their play here. The selection of at least one of the halves is difficult to understand. Miss M. Dennis, Ituahine, who played throughout the tournament as goalkeeper, has secured selection in the centre-half position in preference to some strong halves who have been overlooked. In the forwards it is, found that one of the selections, Miss Renglc, Ruahine, was not given an opportunity in the inter-island game, while Misses J. Burrows, Canterbury, and F. Schniter, Canterbury, were emergencies only for that engagement. The following associations are represented in the selections announced yesterday: Otago 1 player, Wellington 2,, Southland 4, Canterbury 5, Ruahine 6.