LADIES’ HOCKEY

Southland Times, Issue 20201, 11 June 1927, Page 19 (Supplement)

LADIES’ HOCKEY

(By “Hurley.”) The standard of hockey witnessed at the seven-a-side tournament held at Gore on June 3 was the best that has been seen so far this season. Nineteen teams in all competed, some coming from places as far away as Winton and Waikaia. There was no fault to find with the management of the fixture. All matches were got off promptly to time and although the final of the consolation competition was played in semi-darkness this was due to no oversight on the part of the Eastern District officials who did everything possible to make the day’s outing a most enjoyable one for the members of the visiting teams. The winners—Collegiate—were easily the best team on the ground. Their record of wins for the day was: Defeated Wyndham by half a point in the extra time played. Defeated Hokonui 11 by 6 goals to nil. Defeated Winton by 2 goals to nil. Defeated Hokonui I by 3 goals to one. The match with Wyndham was one of the most interesting of the competition. The teams were matched to a nicety and it was only due to their experience and sounder tactics that the Invercargill representatives were able to snatch a narrow victory. It may be said, however, that the Wyndham team was unlucky in not goaling within the last three minutes of play. The sound defence of the Collegiate backs, Misses Burt and Kilby, was a feature of the game. Collegiate had little difficulty in despatching Hokonui 11. Their opponents were in the majority young and inexperienced players and they had not attained that degree of combination which is usually to be expected in an older team. In the match with Winton the members of that team did not seem able to strike form and became disheartened after two goals had been registered against them in the first spell by Misses Winsloe and Mary Mclntyre. More was expected of them and their collapse came as somewhat of a surprise, specially in view of the fact that the previous Wednesday the full teams had played a drawn game. In the final match Collegiate-Hokonui the latter team was composed more of individualists. The play of the Hokonui seven was spectacular, consisting as it did of brilliant solo efforts which, however, rarely passed the Collegiate full backs, and they could make but little impression on the Collegiate side which played as a team. The Hokonui side was also to some extent wild in its hitting and frequently attacking movements were broken ud and

degenerated into defensive movements by misplaced shots. This team would rapidly develop into a class side if a little more attention were paid to the points mentioned. Gf the Collegiate team little need be said. Their combination, while it could yet be improved upon, was good and their stick work was neat and quick. Their win was well deserved. The Hokonui team suffered defeat in the final only. Their record was: Defeated Waikaia by one goal to nil. Defeated Gore High School II by one goal to nil. Defeated Riversdale by 2 goals to nil. Lost to Collegiate by 3 goals to one. The game with Waikaia was fast and interesting all through. Open and individual play by the members of both teams was the order of the day but the Hokonui players put that little extra amount of vim into their play which carried them through a hard fought match. The issue was never in doubt. Gore High School 11 could be placed in the same category as the Waikaia team. Their play lacked vigour and their combination was erratic. Riversdale fell an easy prey to the Hokonui team. The remaining game has already been commented upon. Winton and Riversdale shared the honours for third place. A summary of their matches is: Winton: —- Defeated Ex-High School by one goal to nil. Defeated Gore High School I by 3 goals to 2. Lost to Collegiate by two goals to nil. Riversdale:— Won by default from Balfour. Defeated Lumsden by 2 goals to nil. Lost to Hokonui I by 2 goals to nil. Lumsden, Gore High School I and II and Hokonui were placed fifth on the list. Waikaia proved the winners of the consolation tournament which was run with the idea of giving those teams which had come from a distance, and which would otherwise have had to be content with one game, a chance to secure at least one more game. Wyndham was placed second with Rosedale and Wyndham High School in third position. At the conclusion of the tournament the president of the association, Mr. G. C. Hamilton, presented the trophies to the winners of the championship and the consolation tournament respectively and expressed the appreciation of the executive and the highly satisfactory results. Suitable replies were made by the captains of the teams concerned. The trophies—handsome cups for the champion team and runners-up and the winners of the consolation matches—were the gifts of Mr. Johnston.