ENGLISH GIRLS DEFEATED

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 187, 12 September 1914, Page 11

ENGLISH GIRLS DEFEATED

CANTERBURY WINS BY 3 TO 2. THE LADIES' HOCKEY GAME. In one of the fastest and finest games of hockey seen in Christchurch for many a long day, the Canterbury Ladies' Hockey Association's representatives defeated the touring English ladies' team by three goals to two. The large crowd of spectators were kept keyed up to excitement all through a splendid game, in which the play went from end to end of the field at a great pace. The English ladies played the better hockey, but they possessed not the dash, the ''devil," of the opponents. The English team, as it took the field, was different from that originally announced. Miss C. J. Geskell, captain of the team, had received a cablegram stating that her father had died. Miss M. Eames had been hurt in the Timaru match. The Canterbury eleven was uni changed. The teams were: — | England. —Goal, Miss S. L. Wetherall; full-backs, Misses C. Smith and .V. Lambley; halves, Misses M. Eobinson, K; Tuke, O'B. Hodge; forwards, Misses M. Morgan, B. Tuke, C. G. Gatey, M. Leacroft, V. Elwell. Canterbury.—Goal, Miss M. Wells; full-backs, Misses D. Pearce, H. Harrison; halves, Misses E. Nightingale, O. Smith, N. Sandman; forwards, Misses I. Taylor, S. Kruse, B. Pearce, M. Pearce, I. Burnip. Playing a vigorous, hard-hitting game Canterbury attacked strenuously, but without luck. Twice the ball went just past the visitors' goal, and then a shot by Miss M. Pearce went over the net. The English ladies, who apparently preferred the short passing game, and who kept their positions well, seemed to be put off their game a little by the vigour and dash of the local players. Twice or thrice in the next few minutes the English girls invaded the Canterbury circle ami had corner hits, but found the defence too strong. The play was even, fast, and keen. It went up and down the field at a solid pace. At lengtn Miss Gatey found the Canterbury net, but the goal was not awarded, a knock-on having occurred. However, a penalty; bully was ordered, and from this Miss Gatey shot a goal. English team '.♦.... .. 1 Canterbury •.. .. .. .. 0

The combination of the English team was very fine, and their stick-work was pretty, but the Canterbury girls were playing an ' effective spoiling game Miss Kruse made a fine run, but was stopped near the circle, "and in a moment the English forwards were speeding upfield. Miss Wells stopped a good shot, and another shot by one of the English forwards from a corner hit missed the,, net. Now the Canterbury girls were having to defend pretty often, and they did it well. Just before half-time another shot went over the Canterbury net.

Second Spell. Soon after the second spell started, the Canterbury forwards made a fine effort, and Miss M. Pearce shot a splendid goal. : English team .. .. .. 1 Canterbury ... .. .... 1

The Canterbury, girls, playing with fine dash and speed, bore down upon the English goal again. The English team was awarded a corner hit, but Miss P. Pearce, stopping the ball well, sent in a shot that beat Miss Wetherall completely, to the great joy of thecrowd. Canterbury .. .. .. .. 2 English team .. .... 1

It seemed as though the English girls were nonplussed by the vigour and ''devil" of their opponents, whose forwards were in particularly good form and were well '' fed'' by their halfbacks. Again the red and blacks hustled down the field, with Misses Kruse, M. Pearce, and P. Pearce showing up well. The two latter both, sent in shots, but one was turned aside by Miss Wetherall, and the other missed the net. Then Miss Leacroft got away, but near the Canterbury circle she inadvertently kicked' the ; ball. A fine run by Miss Elwell took the ball again into the Canterbury circle, but the two full-backs, racing back, stopped her. Up and down the field went the play, at a great pace. An English attack was followed by a fine rush by the Canterbury forwards. Miss Kruse centred to Miss M. Pearce, who took the ball into the English circle in fine style and then shot, but found Miss Weather-' all wary. In a trice the play was in the other circle, but a strong drive by Miss Harrison removed the danger, and then Miss M. Pearce bore down on the English goal, but without • success. Soon the play was back at the Canterbury end, but the English girls' attack seemed to' have lost its sting. But a good movement by their forwards invaded the Canterbury circle, and the English team had a couple of corner hits, from the second of which Canterbury cleared, taking the ball right to the other end of the field. After a period of even play, Miss Morgan came down the wing, and centred. A moment or two of play on the edge of the Canterbury circle, and then Miss B. Tuke sent in a fast, true shot that beat Miss Wells. Canterbury 2 English team .. .. .. 2 A gleam of sunshine broke through, the clouds and levelled its rays in the eyes of the.English girls. It brought good luck to Canterbury. Just on the call of time the Canterbury forwards swept down into the English circle, and Miss M. - pearce scored the winning goal, while the crowd roared with delight. As the teams left the field Miss Pearce was lifted on to the shoulders of some particularly ardent enthusiasts, and carried off the field in triumph. Final scores:

Canterbury 3 English team 2 Referees: Messrs W. Simpson and A, E. Gardner.