LADIES’ HOCKEY

Southland Times, Issue 21774, 1 August 1932, Page 12

LADIES’ HOCKEY

COMPETITION FINAL. UNION THE 1932 CHAMPIONS. COLLEGIATE DEFEATED. The local ladies’ hockey competition was finalized on Saturday afternoon at Queen’s Park when, before a large number of spectators, Union defeated Collegiate after a fast and gruelling game by one goal to nil. The teams, which were level on the championship table had met on two previous occasions ’in the season. On the first, Collegiate succeeded in gaining the honours, but in the second encounter Union emerged victorious. Rivalry, therefore, ran high in the deciding struggle on Saturday and considering the heavy nature of the ground play was fast and exciting, but clean, throughout. There was little, if anything, between the two opposing elevens, though as an attacking unit the Yellow vanguard showed better finish and endeavoured to make the best of their opportunities. Union drew first blood before half-time and from then on Collegiate launched sevoral counter-attacks in a determined effort to equalize. The sound defensive work of R. Burt and C. Sparks, however saw the Green forwards held at bay and M. Balch and K. Hunt, in their turn, were responsible for heading several counter-attacks, the play ranging up and down field at a fast pace. The Robb sisters worked well in the Union half-line, while M. Balch, until she was injured and had to take the field again with a bandaged eye, was the outstanding Yellow forward, though she was well supported by K. Hunt, who frequently went right through the defence until pulled up by either M. Dawson or R. Breen, the Collegiate full-backs. R. Breen was not as sure as usual, and on the day’s play her work was eclipsed by M. Dawson, who played a fine game. L. Baird was the pick of the halves, while of the forwards D. Gray and E. Smith were the most prominent. E. Bell, the bright centre, shone on the few occasions when she received the ball from her halves but throughout the game she was starved. At the conclusion of the match, the 1932 champions were warmly congratulated by their supporters, opponents and the spectators alike on their well-deserved victory- , The teams were as follows: — Union.—R. Shaw; C. Sparks, R. Burt; V. Robb, D. Cockreft, B. Robb; K. Hunt, E. Todd, M. Balch, E. Hope and M. Sandri. Collegiate.—O. Stott, K. Breen, M. Dawson, H. Myers, M. Wall, L. Baird; D. Gray, B. Thomas, E. Bell, E. Smith, M. Mclntyre. Collegiate attacked at the outset, M. Mclntyre sending hard across to her mates B. Thomas just failed to find the net with a hot shot. The. Greens continued to press determinedly . and C. Sparks and R. Burt, the Union fullbacks, were called upon to defend stoutly. V. Robb brought relief with a good clearing hit only to see D. Gray, who showed aggressiveness on the right wing, carry the ball down to let the forwards into the circle, R. Shaw just saving in time at the expense of a corner. E. Smith rushed in, but C. Sparks repulsed her and M. Balch changed the scene of play with a good burst to halfway. The Union centre passed to K. Hunt who dashed through to the circle. M. Dawson, however, saved a dangerous situation with a good clearance to let E. Bell away in a bright combined rush with B. Thomas and D. Gray. The ball went back to B. Robb, but M. Wall tackled her well and again the Greens set up a strong counterattack. M. Balch, playing with aggressiveness, again led a Union rush. M. Dawson and K. Breen, however, were sound in defence, the work of the former, especially, being sure and sound. L. Baird was prominent in holding E. Hope, but she cleared to E. Smith to E. Bell and the centre-forward entered her opponents’ territory. The Union goal-mouth was strongly besieged for some time, three corners being conceded in close succession. Ultimately E. Todd cleared, and M. Balch and K. Hunt carried play to. the Collegiate circle, the winger sending in crisply to find the net. Union 1, Collegiate 0. Collegiate attacked strongly, offside, play by E. Bell, however, bringing relief to Union. Still the Greens bore through, C. Sparks and R. Burt having plenty to ’o to keep them at a safe distance. Play travelled up and down field, several corners being conceded by each team. Collegiate had several opportunities of scoring, but lack of finish and a disinclination to follow through after the shots saw them go astray. Just on halftime, the Greens, hard pressed,, gave a corner and M. Balch sent in a stinging shot which O. Stott saved with a fine effort. Collegiate opened the second spell aggressively, but were soon on the defensive, for E. Hope broke away in a dangerous movement which was saved by M. Dawson, who was right on her game. Each eleven then set up attack and counter-attack, and although the issue was in doubt to the final whistle, there was no further alteration in the score. M. Balch was injured and had to retire temporarily, but against this disadvantage from the Union point of view, Collegiate later lost L. Baird who had to catch an early train for the country. The game continued at a fast and exciting pace, but the Yellows held tenaciously to their lead, and emerged as the 1932 champions. Messrs R. McLean and J. M. Davies controlled the game. TOWN v. SOUTHERN INVERCARGILL TEAM SELECTED. TRIAL ELEVENS ALSO ANNOUNCED. The ladies’ sole selector (Mr F. Hinton) has chosen the following players to represent Town against Southern at Queen’s Park next Saturday:—O. Stott (Collegiate); M. Dawson (Collegiate), R. Burt (Union); V. Robb (Union), M. Belsham (Ex-High), B. Robb (Union), K, Hunt (Union), M. Clark (Ex-High), M. Balch (Union), M. Hillis (Thombury) and W. Belsham (Ex-High). The two trial teams, who will also play at Queen’s Park on Saturday, are: A team—R. Shaw; K. Breen, T. Bye; B. Turner, L. Baird, L. Hamilton; D. Gray, D. Boyle, L. Fraser, E. Smith, M. Mclntyre. B team—M. Buddle; E. Kerse, E. Hillis; J. Anderson, M. Wall, H. Myers; E. Lambert, E. Hope, E. Bell, K. Hodgetts, E. Fallow. The emergencies for both teams will be C. Sparks, G. Aitken, I. Rewcastle, M. Woods. MEN’S SECTION TEAMS FOR DUNEDIN. At the conclusion of the men’s Prob- . ables v. Possibles trial game at Queen’s Park on Saturday afternoon, the selectors (Messrs H. S. Cordery and J. D. Gregg) announced the following representative teams to play Otago at Dunedin on August 20: — A team.—V. Poole (Collegiate); Morgan (Central), Lindsay (Collegiate); Rigby (Collegiate), Darracott, captain (Central), Fraser (Central); L. Roberts (Central), Lockhart (Central), Boyd vice-captain (Collegiate), Mayston (Central), G. Anderson (High School). Colts team.—Hyndman (Collegiate); Hodgson, vice-captain (Collegiate), Dakin (High School); Smith (Riverton), Brown, captain (Riverton), Stirling (Collegiate); Hughes (High School), Chisholm (Technical), F. Poole (High

School), Horrell (Riverton), Barham (Central). Emergencies for both teams.—Shields (Collegiate), Waddell (Collegiate), Wills (Collegiate), Semmens (Central), V. Taylor (Civil Service) and S. Smith (Civil Service). G. Hope (Civil Service), R. Ferguson (Collegiate), and Mackley (High School) were not available. The captain of the senior team, E. R. Darracott, has been appointed coach of both teams and a practice will be held at the Drill Hall at 8 p.m. on Thursday. All players unable to attend must give an explanation to the coach. The Central Club will hold its practice at 7 o’clock. A Collegiate-Central match between the remainder of the players not taking nart in the trial game resulted in a win for Collegiate by 2 goals to one INTER-PROVINCIAL GAME WELLINGTON DEFEAT NELSON. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, July 31. Wellington defeated Nelson at hockey on Saturday by one to nil.