LADIES' HOCKEY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 210, 9 October 1914, Page 5

LADIES' HOCKEY.

THE SECOND TEST MATCH. The curtain fell on the season of ladies" hockey in Canterbury last Saturday at Lancaster Park, when the English ladies were defeated by the New Zealand girls by 3 goals to 1. It was a grand final,' and one that both spectators 'and.teams?nnght well be proud of. Real hockey was played by both teams, and, the New Zealanders deserve a special word of praise for adopting the method of play of the English la'dies, and beating them at it, It was not such a thrilling game as the England v. Canterbury match —it was really too hot for fast travelling. Science predominated on Saturday, except when the New Zealand left-winger got the ball, and then legs did have to fly. The visitors played their usual, "heady-steady" game, and marked'their opponents well. They always know exactly where their players are,, and play accordingly, and one player does not outshine the other —they are all equally good. i SPLENDID DEFENCE. The same can hardly be said of the New Zealanders, and considering the short time they have been "together, it could hardly be expected of them. The combination they have gathered, especially in the back division, was rather surprising. The defensive portion of the team was splendid, and would have been hard to beat. Miss Arthur, in goal, distinguished herself by playing in fine style. The only ball she allowed to go through was unavoidable, as she fell, and was still on the ground when it was shot. Any doubts as to the wisdom of her selection after the test in Wellington were quickly dispelled by the sterling game she put up here. The backs did not play a game of hefty hits and solid passes, but little, snappy shots and short passes. Both jdayers were clever in intercepting the English forwards' short passing, and D. Tinney was especially clever with her dribbling, dodging rushes, and cleared the way frequently. The halves were really the pick of the team, and except for their inclination to hang back in the first half, they all played sterling games. Miss Rabbidge, the captain, playing in the central position, played the prettiest hockey on the field. She is exceptionally clever with her stick, and never gave Miss Gaskell, her opposing centre-forward, a chance to shine. Misses M. Malcolm and M. Swain were both good; they battled well right through, and never gave in.

THI-: FORWARD LINK. The forward line was not quite up to the standard of the back division. The centre and left could hardly be improved on, but the right was palpably weaker, and this was no doubt realised by the Knglish. team, as play was continually ou the right in the first spell. Miss MacDonnell, on the right wing, was rather disappointing. She often failed to centre at the right time, aivd was not ready to take the passes that came her way. S. Kruse, inside right, was not impressive either. She is good at a fast forward rush, and has plenty of pace and dash, but she does not seem to use it unless she- wants to. She never taeklqfs or. "fights" for the ball as she should. iWhe.il she ia beaten for it she

is quite content to be beaten, and just' stands and waits for someone else to get it from her opponent. It is most disappointing to see a player suffering from apparent laziness, when she gives one the impression that she could do more if she only tried. Two goals were certainly scored by her, but it is not always the scorers tjhat do. the best work. Miss R. Malcolm, in the centre, was just as o-ood as her sister in the half line. These girls are mere "slips," but they are remarkably quick, and play a really clever game. M. Pearce did not have a chance to shine. She was well marked by her opponents, who kept a strict watch on her movements, but she was always ready to do her share, and though she was'not able to display her powers to any extent, she put in some solid work, and seemed quite content. Rv Neilson quickly distinguished herself by her tremendous pace, and her headlong rushes up the line earned the enthusiasm of the crowd. She has the speed of a racehorse, and is a remarkably good shot. She is rather too fast for her fel-low-forwards, who find a difficulty in keeping up with her; but her dashing rims up the field were thrilling, if nothing else, and thrills were what the majority of the crowd were looking for on Saturday. The test match at Auckland to-mor-row will end .ladies' hockey in JS'ew Zealand for 1914, and it is a season that will long be remembered by everyone. It is to be. hoped that the newlyawakened interest in this sport will not be wasted. The English ladies' team toured New Zealand to encourage the game, and the people of Christchurch arid elsewhere who have cheered so lustily at the matches should show their appreciation and interest by encouraging the ulayers.and promoters next seasou i