REPRESENTATIVE HOCKEY

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3799, 24 August 1936, Page 5

REPRESENTATIVE HOCKEY

BRIGHT AND INTERESTING PLAY. TWO CONTESTS AT ALBERT PARK. Hockey enthusiasts were provided with two representative ladies’ contests, and one men’s match, at Albert Park last Saturday. The ladies’ games saw’ Waipa A pitted against the Taranaki touring team, and the Waipa B eleven against the Hamilton Technical Old Girls, while the men’s match, an Empson Cup contest, was between Te Awamutu B and High School. This ended in a win for Te Awamutu by seven goals (Rahman j, Bert Spiers 4, and M. Ryan 2) to one (G. Finin).

WAIPA -B' v. TECHNICAL. Messrs T. Finch and C. S. Davis were the referees in the contest, Waipa B ladies v. Hamilton Technical Old Girls, played as a curtain raiser to the Waipa A v. Taranaki match. The two elevens were very evenly matched, for while Technical appeareu to have the better forward line, and their backs followed up fast, they lacked the positional play of the Waipas. Towards the close a Waipa attack was developed, Miss Hall centering and the leather going right across to Miss N. Wilson, who promptly netted. This was the only score in the game, Waipa B thus winning narrowly.

WAIPA A V. TARANAKI. The teams were: Taranaki: Goal, Miss W. Wilcock; backs, Mrs H. Trass, Mrs P. Templeton; halves, Miss E. Gyde, Miss M. Lilley, Mrs L. Campbell: forwards, Misses A. Clements, G. Hale, B. Watkins, S. Stockman, M. Allen. Waipa: Goal, Miss Bird; backs, Mrs Spiers, Mrs Askew; halves, Miss Douglas, Mrs Harris, Miss Collison; forwards, Misses Lithgow, Sifleet, E. Spiers, R. Spiers, G. Bell. Messrs T. Finch and C. Davis were the referees. Waipa were quick to attack, but were promptly sent back, and Miss Watkins followed through to score easily within two minutes of the bully off. Again Waipa attacked, but just as quickly the ball was taken the length of the field, but Miss Bird deflected the shot at goal. Clever stick work by individual Waipas gained ground, but the visitors combined 'veil to send them back. Mrs Askew cleared, and Miss R. Spiers carried on right to the circle, where after a penalty corner Miss E. Spiers netted to equalise. Taranaki carried play to Waipa’s circle, but the shot at goal was skied. Keeping up the pressure, Miss Watchins had another unsuccessful shot, and then Miss Douglas cleared with a solid shot. Waipa attacked determinedly, but the defence held, and play was soon worked out of the danger zone. Miss E. Spiers was feeding each wing, but the visitors' positional play was sound. Miss M. Lilley cleared with a full toss, and soon put Taranaki on the offensive. Mrs Spiers sent them back, but the forwards could make little impression. Play was mostly in Waipa s halt of the field, with Mrs Askey doing good defensive work. Miss Bird came right outside the circle to clear one forward attack, and play was up and down field at a great rate, with the visitors doing best Several pro mising movements were developed, but all were beaten oft or broke down. Half time came with the scores even.

Waipa were quick to attack, and soon play was in the danger zone and Miss G. Bell netted from the edge of the circle. Within a minute Taranaki equalised when Miss M. Alien registered a goal with a clean shot from light in front. Taranaki kept up the attack, and placed the ball advantageously, but the defence held. Then the Waipa centres raced play into Taranaki's 25, but over-eagerness spoiled a possible chance, and the danger was averted. Taranaki were soon invading, and some exciting moments followed. The Waipa forwards were doing great work, and they gradually wore down a determined attack by the visitors. However, cross play put Taranaki in position again, and Miss Watkins again netted, putting the visitors in the lead. The pace was fast and play went from end to end of the field, and then it slowed, being too fast to last. Then a Taranaki attack saw Miss Clements score again, and the game ended shortly afterwards with the scores: Taranaki 4, Waipa 2.