EASTERN’S GOOD WIN

Southland Times, Issue 23599, 29 August 1938, Page 11

EASTERN’S GOOD WIN

K CUP TOURNAMENT AT GISBORNE WELLINGTON DEFEATED BY AUCKLAND (United Press Association) GISBORNE, August 27. The New Zealand women’s hockey tournament opened in drizzling rain. A surprise was recorded when Auckland defeated Wellington by a margin of four goals. The winners impressed by their speed and positional play. Eastern overwhelmed Ruahine, the score reaching a baker’s dozen. Auckland, Eastern and Canterbury appear the strongest teams in the tournament. Results: —

A SECTION Hawke’s Bay 1 drew with Wanganui Ashburton 5 beat Wairarapa nil. B SECTION Auckland 5 beat Wellington 1. Taranaki five beat Poverty Bay B 1. Eastern 13 beat Ruahine 1. C SECTION Canterbury 7 beat Feilding 1. Poverty Bay 4 drew with Nelson 4. EASTERN PLAYS UP TO BEST FORM RUAHINE FAILS TO STEM SWIFT ATTACK (Special to The Times) GISBORNE, August 27. Eastern produced form equal to, its best by running up 13 goals against Ruahine. Ruahine looked a smart team at the start, and shortly after the beginning the score was one-all. Ruahine quickly crumpled up, however, under the speedy, accurate attacks launched by Eastern and the final score did not flatter the champions. The first score came within a minute of the start, M. Nicol sending a pass across the goal-mouth, and although the goalie saved temporarily, M. White followed in and slammed in a hot one. Ruahine retaliated, sweeping down the right wing. A wing pass caught the defence out of position, a goal being scored from close range. The crowd then expected an even game, but Eastern soon showed that the result would not be in doubt. The game always moved briskly and although Ruahine put up a good defence, it could not match Eastern’s perfect combination, positional play and lightning stickwork. Eastern led by eight goals to one at half time,, and five more were added after the interval. M. Sherriff scored eight goals, M. White three and G. Jones two. The Eastern forward line gave an outstanding display. M. Sherriff kept the ball on the move with clever stickwork and opened up well) with great support from M. Nicol and M. White. Miss Nichol’s work on the wing was responsible for many goals. The halves played always close up behind the forwards, preventing Ruahine from breaking away. M. Sanson played her usual steady game. The strength of the halves gave the full-backs little to do.

Eastern meets Auckland on Monday, and after Auckland’s surprising win against Wellington today, this should be the champion’s hardest game. Auckland impressed with good positional play and fast combined play among its forwards, although its halves are not so sound as Eastern’s.

SOUTHLAND TEAM PLAYS EASTERN B A Southland women’s hockey team travelled to Gore on Saturday afternoon and played a match against Eastern Southland B. The game was quite bright throughout and resulted in a draw, three goals all. Eastern had a slight territorial advantage for the greater part of the game, but the Southland backs defended very well and saved on numerous occasions. The shooting of the Eastern forwards was not up to the standard, however, many easy shots being missed. The score at half-time was one goal all. For Eastern J. Wright, M. Adam and J. Adam scored, while Mrs Purvis (2) and D. Gray scored for Southland. Messrs A. Crawford and Holmes were the umpires.