LADIES’ HOCKEY

Southland Times, Issue 22296, 11 April 1934, Page 4

LADIES’ HOCKEY

EASTERN ASSOCIATION annual meeting. The annual meeting of the Eastern Southland Ladies’ Hockey Association was held last evening, Mr G. C. Hamilton presiding over an attendance ot the following: Mrs Reid, Misses M. McEwan, M. Newman, N. Gordon, I. Falconer, Donnell, S. Redman, R. Naylor (secretary), Messrs A. Taylor, A. D. Crawford, A. Heath and R. Matthews. The annual report stated:— The association began another enjoyable season with its annual general meeting on Tuesday, April 11, 1933. The meeting again elected to the president’s chair Mr G. C. Hamilton, who in the past has not spared himself in his efforts to further the cause of hockey in Eastern Southland. The first match of the season was played on April 26, when the district was represented by 11 teams, Mataura being able to enter only two teams in the A grade competition and none in the B grade. Wyndham showed a renewed interest in the sport, of which it has been such an able exponent in the past, by entering two teams, a ladies’ team and one from the District High School, both in the B grade competition. We were very glad to welcome Wyndham back to the old game, and hope that it will continue in its pursuit of it and acquire some of its old prowess. There were interesting and well-contested matches in both grades, Hokonui, Ex-High and Mataura I, all being within winning distance of the Hamilton Cup; Mataura 1., in spite of the determined efforts of opponents, again proved victorious. In the B grade competition, which contained only four teams —Gore High B, Wyndham Ladies, Hokonui B and Wyndham High School—Wyndham Ladies easily proved the victors and carried off the Crawford Cup. On June 3 the seven-a-side tournament was held as usual, and though the morning held the promise of a fine day, scattered showers spoiled the afternoon for spectators ana players alike. This tournament proved as popular as usual, teams coming from as far as Gorge Road, Nightcaps, Tokanui, Mimihau and Lumsden the qualifying round being quickly disposed, of the main competition and the consolation events were well under way early in the afternoon, even though as many as 23 teams had entered. Exciting matches and fine displays of hockey for six months, while the Holden Cup dared to face the rain, particularly the match between Hokonui and Ex-Hign in the semi-finals of the main competition, which Hokonui won after being given the extra minutes necessary to prevent a draw, and the final match of the same competition between Hokonui and Waikaia A where the fi stickwork and excellent combination, of the northern girls once again carried them to victory. The consolation matches were also keenly contested, High School winning the finals against Waikaia B only by playing extra time. The association gratefully acknowledges its indebtedness to those referees who so generously gave their services during the afternoon and to Mr H. Johnston whose work was invaluable. “When the competition matches for the season, were finished the usual trial matches were played: Town v. Country, Possibles v.‘ Probables, Eastern, v. Northern and Eastern v. Southern. As the New Zealand tournament was held at Dannevirke only one team was sent, Mr and Mrs G. C. Hamilton accompanying it as manager and chaperon. Eighteen teams entered for the tournament, which was divided into three sections, Eastern falling into section C along with Bush, Marlborough, Manawatu, Taranaki and Wairarapa. Eastern were successful in winning against Manawatu and Taranaki, it drew with Marlborough and were victorious against Bush and Wairarapa, .thus emerging the winner of their section. The first match against Manawatu was the most interesting of the section, both teams being extended to their utmost. The Manawatu defence was very sound and repeatedly blocked the rushes of the dashing Eastern forwards. Play was very fast even to the end of the match, players being urged on by excited barracking. The fact that Bush as well as Eastern had been undefeated gave added interest to the final match of the section, Eastern proving victorious by three goals to one. In the other sections, Otago were first of the B and Canterbury first of the A, both emerging the winners of all their matches. The draw gave the semi-final match to Eastern and Otago on a ground heavy and slippery after the previous day’s rain, when Otago gained a strong position for the winning of the K Cup by defeating Eastern. The game was fast and exciting throughout, the players being strung up to fighting pitch from the beginning to the end of the game, and it was Otago’s aggression in the first spell and its fine defence in the second and particularly the brilliant play of the goal-keeper, Miss Johnston, that gave it the victory. Otago’s final match against Canterbury was played in fine weather and very evenly contested, Canterbury putting up a very stubborn defence. The result was a draw so that, being equal, Otago and Canterbury each hold the K Cup and the Floyd Shield for six months, whole the Holden Cup for the runners-up falls to Eastern’s lot. Players and managers alike had nothing but praise for the tournament and its organization, all thinking it one of the best they had attended and a fitting close to a very successful season.”

The balance-sheet showed that the season had commenced with a credit of £l3 3/7 and had concluded with a balance of £l7 8/-.

In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet the chairman reviewed the season’s activities. Referring to the Eastern team’s defeat in the K Cup tournament he said that Eastern had lost the cup through the run of luck. It would not do Eastern any harm to lose the cup and he was very sanguine that it would be possible to field a team which would regain the trophy. The association’s financial position was highly satisfactory and was very creditable. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Office-bearers were elected as follows:—President, Mr G. C. Hamilton; vice-presidents, presidents of affiliated clubs and president of the Northern Sub-Association; secretary, Miss A. Laidlaw; delegate to the annual conference of the New Zealand Association,

Miss McGrath; selector, Mr G. C. Hamilton. ± The president paid a tribute to the work as secretary for a number of yeats of Miss R. Naylor. He said she had gained the reputation of being the most efficient secretary of a ladies hockey association in the Dominion. It was with the greatest regret that he had to announce that Miss Naylor found it impossible to continue as secretary. Mr Heath said that the annual meeting of the Northern Sub-Association had decided to recommend that application be made to hold the Dominion tournament at Gore. The northern delegates were strongly in favour of the proposal and were prepared to do everything possible to assist. The chairman said he was glad that the Northern delegates had brought the matter forward. There were a number of advantages in the scheme and also some disadvantages. The question of billeting the players was a difficult matter in a place of the size of Gore. The work would largely devolve on the three clubs in Gore. It was decided to make inquiries concerning the possibilities of securing the tournament for Gore and to inquire among the townspeople concerning the support which would be forthcoming