HOCKEY

Southland Times, Issue 17482, 24 July 1915, Page 10

HOCKEY

Word has been received from the Otago Association stating that they will he pleased to select a team to oppose Southland at Dunedin on August M. The match will be played on the Caledonian ground, and the proceeds will he devoted to the Sports princess in the Otago carnival. Otago reps, will visit Invercargill at a later date, the gate going towards Southland’s princess in the local carnival. LADIES' NOTES. (By "Circle.”) The ladies of Southland still continue to take a live interest in the competition and as the season advances the keenness of each team to secure a win is very evident. The standard of hockey is higher in this province to-day than ever before, particularly- in regard to hitting. The old style of "poking” the ball is giving way to the modern drive, which frequently travels half-way down the field. It was generally surmised that Union would defeat Y.W.C.A., hut in the actual contest it was noticeable that the latter team has greatly improved since the. season opened. The game High School A v. Technical A was the most interesting one of the day. School having to play one of their hardest matches to secure a win. Technical possess some players of a very high standard and as the season advances they- improve. Collegiate apeaied to have their game well in hand, but during the last few minutes Waverley took up the offensive and in quick succession scored two goals. The attack was so sudden that Collegiate had no lime to realise the situation and when the referee sounded "time” the score read "two all.” It is rather unfortunate that School and Technical have not more, distin - guishing uniforms. In tins respect they are the worst off of any teams in the competition and on Wednesday, when playing together, it was impossible to declare "who was who.” One girl appeared in a grey costume, another in a red jersey and the majority In white blouses and blue skirts. Not alone is it confusing to players, but the referee has a difficult task in detecting the various contestant s. Too much praise cannot be given the hack brigade of High School A’s team. Each member has a thorough grounding in the art of defence, and particularly in putting plenty of "wood” into their strokes. Stopping the ball with the hand is conspicuous by its absence in most teams and players would be well re-paid by taking a lesson from School’s method.

I was pleased to see Mr McGregor tone of the selectors) at the various games on Wednesday. Tins gentleman takes a keen interest in his work and his presence encourages players who are hopeful of ‘'winning their caps.” The problem of selecting Southland's best eleven this year is a hard one, as in many cases there are two and three players of equal merit worthy of filling a certain position. There are still a few mate-lies to be played before the selection is made in which it is probable some slight superiority may be detected.

Slipping and falling was much in evidence and players who do not wish to have the usual “football buttons” attached to their hoots, would find a suitable substitute in the small grips used by cricketers. The latter are uncumhersome and materially assist players to keep on their feet on a soft ground.

Misses Stout Cummings and Barraclough played exceptionally well for School and the few mistakes they made were only of a minor character. These three players represented Southland last year and up to the present there appear no others who can displace them in the rep. games this season. Misses Woodward, Healey and Murdoch were the pick of Technical’s eleven. Miss Woodward lias a strong chance of gaining rep. honours this season as left wing of tiie forward line. Her play on ■Wednesday was particularly attractive. Miss Healey also plays well on the right of the forward line and is very nippy in the circle. Miss Murdoch is probably the smallest in Technical’s senior eleven, but nevertheless plays a most prominent part. Site has a complete knowledge of her position and freemen Uy got her side out of a tight corner.

On Biggar street Xo. 1 ground Union defeated Y.W.C.A. by S goals to nil. Tiie latter were playing two girls short and this hampered them considerably. At times some very exciting play was witnessed, V.'W.G.A. showing a marked improvements oii. past performances. Tiie latter are devoting more time to practice, and if not among the leading teams this year, will have to he reckoned with when next winter comes round.

Miss Bain was the hero of tiie match so far as scoring goals was concerned, and missed few opportunities to increase Union’s total.

Miss Storrie played a splendid game on the right wing and sent in some really fine centres. She is inclined to take the ball too far down the field before centreing. Miss Millar was the pick of the half line and displays considerable skill In defence work. If she would ‘drive’ with greater force it W’ould improve her play.

Misses Hawke and Wesney formed a strong back line and fed their forwards well. Miss Hawke is a most reliable full-back and is playing better this year than on previous occasion. Players in this position should have a good understanding with their custodian as fre - quently the former fall too far back in the circle when the opposing forwards are invading, and so interfere with the goalkeeper’s work. The players for special mention on Y.W.C.A.’s side were Misses Darnell and Colquhoun (backs) and Misses Kingston and Murdoch (forwards). Miss Darnell played splendidly at full-back and saved her side time and again. She would find it advantageous to clear to the wings instead of driving up the centre of the field. Miss Colquhoun (centre-half) displayed characteristic dash and kept guard over the inner forwards, at the same time keeping her own line well supplied with the ball. The “lunge” stroke would be very useful for this player to adopt.

Miss Kingston is steadily improving and from the right wing sent, across some clever drives, which, however, were not always accepted. Wing players should remember to lie well down the field and so be in a position to pick up any pass that their backs may send out. It is well nigh impossible for a team to gain a victory if their forwards insist in taking too great a part in defence.

That a game is never lost till it’s won was clearly demonstrated in the, Collegiate-Waverley match on Victoria Park. Collegiate had two goals up against their opponents and decided to take things easy for the latter part of the contest —no doubt the effects of the V.W.C.A. match had not worn off when the backs of the Collegiate team had a little game on their own. With two or three minutes to go Waverhiy became very lively and with splendid combination simply "walked over” the exstudents, who were left wondering what had happened. This reverse will no doubt prove a valuable lesson to Collegiate. The Misses Godwards were the main support on their side and gave the inner forw’ards plenty of chances. Both these players will have to be reckoned with when the selectors are choosing Southland’s best.

Miss Kissell, centre forward, tackled with determination that generally rewarded her with victory. However, sha is inclined to waste too much time in parting with the ball. This Is a serious fault as it draws the defence into tn® circle.

Misses Dykes, Davis and Findlay wera always to be reckoned with, and gave good support to their side in the first stages of the game. Miss McMillan, 'in goal, was reliable and succeeded in clearing some hard shots. Waverley’s principal supports were Misses Knuckey, Fearn_ Ronald, Eunson and Kissell. Miss Knuckey is a centre forward of rare ability and when anyspoiling work is probable she can be relied on to do it. Miss Fearn Is always ready to score a goal, but unfortunately has not yet learned the art of putting force behind her stroke. A. little practice in hitting would make her a valuable forward in the circle. Miss Ronald did her wovk well as left-half and frequently out in and Intercepted, the hall en. route to Miss Godward. Misses Eunson and Kissell, full-backs, had plenty of work to do in the first spell and it is to their credit that a larger number of goals were not scored, j High Bv. High C.—ln this match playi I was fairly even, E’s probably holding’ | the upper hand. At times the ball traj veiled up and down the field at a great i i-ate. Eor the winers Miss Gilfedder ! played a sterling game and showed her j ability in the circle by shooting two goals. Miss E. Pearce was also promin--1 ent and is developing into a good play- ! er. For the C’s Miss Brighton (fulljhack) played the best game and cleared the ball with apparent ease and confidence. Miss O’Bryan (forward} is a, hard worker and led some fine rushes, but lack of combination spoilt chances which may have had good results. Tt was difficult for the referee to distinguish one team from the other as in most cases the costumes were the same. SOUTHLAND L.H.A. EXECUTIVE. The fortnightly meeting of the abov® was held in the T.M.C.A. rooms last I evening. Present: Mr McGregor tin I chair 1, and Misses Walker, Woodward, j Colquhoun, McDowall, Gumming, Hayj ward. Stout, Hawke and Richards (acl- | ing secretary). j Correspondence was received from the I N.Z. Ladies’ Hockey Association and the j North School and dealt with. Consideration of the matter of tha Wellington tournament was held over until next meeting. It was decided to play a second round : of school fixtures. I Miss Hawke applied for permission to : play- a fancy dress hockey match on | August 4, in support of the Army and ; .Vary Queen. —Granted. j Tlie acting-secretary was instructed to i extend the sympathy of the Association | to Miss Loudon in regard to her recent I accident, which will necessitate that J lady being under treatment for soma i weeks as the outcome of an unfortunat® playing mishap. It was decided to nostpone ail matches set down for August 4. A vote of thanks to the chairman | closed the meeting. MEN’S SATURDAY COMPETITION. The following will represent the Civil Service hockey team versus Teachers today, on the Biggar street reserve at '.I p.m.:—Richards, Melvin, Smith, Clark, Phillipps_ Fraser, McLean, Harvey, Anderson, West, Hazlemore. Teachers;—* Cameron, Gilchrist, Rae, Sampson, Smith, Smeliie, Clark, P.yburn, Jackson, Mitchell. Rowe. Emergencies; Anderson, Stuck. The secretary of the Southland Association (Mr Syd. Smith) lias received, word from the Otago Hockey Association re patriotic rep. matches. The data fixed for the match in Dunedin is August 14. It is to be hoped that a good team, thoroughly representative of both Saturday and Wednesday hockey, will be sent away. From the form shown this year, Southland can place a. strong team in the field. It is up to all players to heft) to make these two matches a huge success. A meeting of the, local Association is called for 7.15 p.m. sharp at the T.M.C.A. on Tuesday, 2 Tlh inst.