HOCKEY.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1928, Page 5

HOCKEY.

TARANAKI LADIES’ RDP. TOUR. REPORT ON THE GAMES. We are indebted to Mr. H. Nodder, of Eltham, manager of the Taranaki ladies’ hockey representative touring team for the recent tour:— The Taranaki ladies’ hockey representatives, which returned on Sunday last after a successful and most enjoyable ten days’ trip, played four games, winning two, drawing one and losing one. The team arrived at Napier on Friday, August 31, after a splendid run. It was welcomed by the officers. Mrs. Simmonds (the patron’s wife) entertained us to afternoon tea before going off to our different billets. On Saturday morning we indulged in practice for an hour and a-half, and played Hawke’s Bay in the afternoon. The weather and grounds were tip-top, and it was the best and fastest game the team played on the tour. The Napier papers reported that it was the best hockey seen for years, the game ending in a draw, a good finish to a hard game. On Saturday night wc were the guests of the association at a dance, which was most enjoyable. On Sunday afternoon we were taken for a drive and shown the sights of “sunny Napier,” each member being presented with a booklet of views of Napier. On Monday morning we left at 1.30 to cheers from about 50 hockey enthusiasts. We had a look around Hastings for an hour, and arrived in Waipukurau, being met by Mr. Fowler, president of the Ladies’ Hockey Club, which had arranged lunch. We secured permission for the girls to look through the sanatorium. The house manager met us at the gates and escorted us all over the grounds and buildings, which were very interesting, some of the girls meeting friends there.

We arrived at Palmerston North at 5.30 and were welcomed by several of the committee. On Monday night we were the guests of Mr. Collinson at his residence, and spent a very enjoyable evening. On Tuesday afternoon practice was indulged in. On Tuesday night we were the guests of the Manawatu association at the pictures. Wednesday morning we had light practice. The weather was very bad in the afternoon and we played a very strenuous game in a heavy hailstorm. The girls all played well, being determined if possible to win the last match, which they did by three to nil. Wanganui fielded a very strong team, and were a bit surprised at the result. There were a couple of slight casualties in this match. A Wanganui girl also had her collarbone cracked, and D. Sturmey had her hand injured, though not seriously. Saturday night we were the guests of the Wanganui association at the Union Rowing Club’s dance.

On Sunday at 2 p.m. we left for home, after a successful and most enjoyable trip. We arrived at Eltham at 5 p.m., when the girls were the guests of Mrs. Nodder to afternoon tea before departing for their respective homes. I want to take this opportunity of expressing my appreciation of . the splendid management of the committees of the different towns we visited in billeting the girls and entertaining them, making their visit most enjoyable, leaving happy memories with each of them. I also wish to congratulate the Taranaki girls on their splendid behaviour, both on and off the field, the good impression they have left behind them being shown by the enthusiastic send-off they received at every place they were in, and also the promise of return matches here next season from each of them. 1 am also very grateful to each member of the team for their obedience and behaviour while in my charge, making my task easy and enjoyable. A few notes on the form of the players shown on the tour: — Airs. Johnstone.—Games played, 4; goals scored, 0. Considering this player has not played much the past two years, her game at Wanganui was brilliant. IL. Johnstone. —Games played, 4; goals scored 0. Good; great defensive player. Al. Nutting.—Gaines played, 3; goals scored, 1. Very fair; health not too good. N. Hodges.—Games played, 4; goals scored 0. Excellent: the most consistent back. B. Walker.—Games played, 4; goals scored, 0. Excellent; a great toiler. B. Mills.—Games played, 2; goals scored, 0. Very safe; not brilliant in attack. V. Sheahan. —Games played, 3; goals scored, 0. Patchy; should tackle harder. N. Ncwlove. —Games played, 3; goals scored, 1. Fair; have seen this player better. B. Watkins—Games played, 4; goals scored 3.—Brilliant at Napier; contracted neuralgia and was patchy afterwards. P. Kemp.—Games played, 3; goals scored, 4 Good; best all-round player. Al. Wooliiams—Games played, 2; goals coals scored, 0. Hard worker; a bit erratic. K. Coles.—Games played, 2; goals scored, 0. —Fair, inclined to stand oil when in the tight. M. Callender.—Games played, 2; goals scored, 0. Very fast; makings of a good winger; lacks experience. D. Sturmey.—Games played, 4; goals scored, 1. Good; a brilliant left wingei.