LADIES’ HOCKEY

Southland Times, Issue 22106, 29 August 1933, Page 6

LADIES’ HOCKEY

SOUTHLAND BEATEN A PROTEST DISMISSED EASTERN WINS SECTION (From Our Special Reporter.) Dannevirke, August 28. The New Zealand ladies’ hockey tournament was continued to-day, Southland being defeated for the first time by a narrow margin and Eastern Southland defeating Wairarapa and thus winning their section. The results of to-day’s games are as follows:— SECTION A. Canterbury 2 v. Southland 1. Akitio 5 v. Wairarapa B 4. Auckland 4 v. Ruahine B 2. Section winners: Canterbury, 10 points. SECTION B. Ashburton 2 v. Wanganui 1. Ruahine A 4 v. Feilding 1. Otago 10 v. Wellington 0. Section winners: Otago, 10 points. SECTION C. Eastern Southland 7 v. Wairarapa 0. Bush 2 v. Taranaki 1. Marlborough 3 v. Manawatu 1. Section winners: Eastern Southland, 9 points. The draw for to-morrow is as follows: Otago v. Eastern Southland; Canterbury v. Ruahine A. The latter have no place in the final. SOUTHLAND UNLUCKY. NO TIMEKEEPER APPOINTED. Southland had to strike their colours this afternoon when, in a closely contested game fought in heavy rain, Canterbury inflicted defeat upon the Maroons by two goals to one. Had Southland won to-day they would have emerged as the section winners instead of the runners-up *as they now are, and even had they been defeated in the final, would have won their way to second place in the tournament. Luck was dead against Southland, for although they were opposed to a clever and experienced team they held the upper hand on the run of the play almost throughout, and were unfortunate in not finishing off hard won advantages. The ground was like a quagmire and, as a consequence, combined work on both sides was prejudiced. It has been the custom during the tournament for time to be kept by a separate official, but owing to an oversight no timekeeper was present and the first spell was extended some minutes beyond the 35 minutes allowed, one of the referees actually leaving the ground to ascertain whether the spell was up or not. It was during such extra time that Canterbury scored their first goal. After careful deliberation the officials of the Southland team decided to lodge a protest, seeing so much was at- stake. The position was certainly unfortunate, but the officials deemed it their duty to the Southland Association and the players to enter a protest and leave it to the tournament committee to consider the merits or demerits of the matter. The position

was rendered even more complicated seeing the Southland manager is a member of the tournament committee of three, which considered the protest. After hearing evidence the committee agreed that the evidence over the time played was so indefinite that the decision of the referees must stand. Game Described. All of the Maroons gave of their best against Canterbury and though defeated were by no means. disgraced, for they put up a fine showing against their formidable opponents. The Southland team was: C. Crighton; M. Lee, K. Breen; M. Munro, L. Humphries. V. Robb; K. Hunt, L. Heaps, E. Bell, I. Rewcastle, M. Balch. Canterbury attacked at the outset and with clever stickwork entered Southland’s twenty-five. L. Humphries cleared, but back came Canterbury. M. Munro, tigering well, sent K. Hunt away down the left flank and the Maroon forward line became aggressive. Mrs Richards, the Canterbury centre half, was very safe and let her vanguard away. There were some dangerous moments for Southland until ultimately K. Breen cleared strongly and L. Heaps and K. Hunt brought the ball well up to give to E. Bell, to I. Rewcastle, to E. Bell, whose shot was saved well by the Canterbury goalie. V. Robb and L. Humphries kept the Maroons on the attack and M. Balch showed up well in good work on- the right wing. Canterbury were hard pressed as the nippy Southland forwards penetrated through and two corners were conceded in close succession. M. Ualch securing streaked up the wing to send in a good centre, all the Maroon forwards rushing in well, only to see the goalie effect a brilliant save. Southland began to maintain a distinct territorial advantage, but the greasy circle interfered with their shooting work, while the Canterbury backs were very sound. Canterbury retaliated with a sweeping rush, but C. Crighton came out to save at the expense of a corner. M. Lee and K. Breen, who were playing a fine defensive game, cleared, and the Southland vanguard, harassing the defence, forced their opponents to concede further aorners. Goals Scored.

Just on half-time Canterbury penetrated through and N. King goaled. Canterbury rushed right through immediately on resumption and N. McKenzie scored their second goal after two minutes’ play. Then Southland retaliated with several dangerous rushes and Canterbury had to battle hard to keep the aggressive Maroon forwards at bay. E. Bell nearly succeeded in finding the net, the goalie just saving, and then K. Hunt almost netted. After a period of fairly even play, marked by good defensive work on both sides, Southland assumed the offensive again, M. Balch playing a fine game and sending across good centres, only to see the clever Canterbury backs presenting resolute sticks to the attackers.

In the last quarter of an hour Southland harassed their opponents repeatedly, penning them within their own territory. Canterbury conceded two corners and the Maroons were almost within an ace of scoring. Keeping up the pressure I. Rewcastie, E. Bell and L. Heaps beat the full backs in a short passing rush, L. Heaps goaling. With only three minutes to play, Southland made strenuous efforts to equalize, but the clock, however, beat them, but though defeated the Maroons were certainly by no means disgraced. It would be invidious to single out any particular member of the Southland team, as each gave of her best for the honour of the province. The team probably leaves here on Thursday and should reach home by Friday night’s express. EASTERN’S EASY WIN. Eastern secured an easy win against Wairarapa, winning by seven goals to nil. Eastern were always the winning

side, showing superior combination to keep up a continual attack. The first goal was the result of a good scoup by M. Gerken who sent M. Mclntyre away to centre to H. Reid, to M. White, to M. Nicol then back to M. White, to H. Reid, the latter goaling. Eastern’s second and third goals came shortly after. H. Reid made a brilliant downfield dash to give K. Bond an open goal to score. From a penalty bully M. Mclntyre beat the goalkeeper.

Eastern continued to attack and were again rewarded, K. Bond netting a beauty from the edge of the circle. The score at half-time was: Eastern 4, Wairarapa nil. Shortly after the commencement of the second spell K. Bond collected at the edge of the circle and put in a high shot. Eastern’s seventh goal was the result of a fine scoup by M. Nicol from the sideline to H. Reid who shot hard.