REPRESENTATIVE HOCKEY

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1929, Page 10

REPRESENTATIVE HOCKEY

LADIES’ MATCH AT ELTHAM MANAWATU DEFEAT TARANAKI. FIVE GOALS SCORED TO TWO. An overwhelming defeat was suffered by the- Taranaki lady hockey representatives at the hands of the Manawatu touring team at Eltham yesterday. The visitors compiled the score of five goals to two and provided a large number of spectators with an exciting exhibition of the code. Manawatu in the first match of their tour gave an indication of their quality. In that game, played against North Taranaki at Eltham on Tuesday, the home team managed to secure a draw in the last minute of the game. Yesterday the visitors never left the ultimate result in doubt and were playing just as hard and just as brilliantly when the final whistle sounded as they were at the commencement of the game. The Taranaki team played scratchily. At times it combined well and staged some sparkling attacks which inevitably broke down before reaching the most important stage, the circle. Nevertheless the team was rather unlucky on occasions for several times good work was nullified by wild hitting and a penchant for offside play. With a slight re-arrangement of positions and more practice "’aranaki would prove a formidable combination. The teams were: — Manawatu. —Miss M. Ransori (goalkeeper), Mrs. D. Tucker, Miss R. Purton (full-backs), Misses E. Robson, M. Godfrey and W. Robson (halves), M. Newth, L. Schlierke, W. Ranson, F. Highfield and J. Mitchell (forwards). Taranaki. —Misses M. Shannon (goalkeeper), P. Kemp and N. Julian (fullbacks), N. Adams, B. Walker and B. Mills (halves), N. Hunt, K. Lilly, B. Watkins, P. Wylds and N. Newlove (forwards). Taranaki momentarily held the advantage at the commencement and reached the visitors’ circle, from where Miss W. Ranson broke away. She evaded pursuit until she reached half-way, when she transferred to Miss M. Newth on the wing. Displaying great speed the winger outpaced her opponents, but when in a scoring position hit across the line. Taranaki, hitting hard and following up, again penetrated the visitors’ circle, but the defence was superb and Manawatu cleared. Miss Ranson secured from, a bully-off and, outwitting several players, transferred, when tackled, to Miss L. Highfield, who in turn gave the ball to Miss J. Mitchell. The latter swung in when the time was opportune, and the five Manawatu forwards rushed Taranaki’s goal, Miss M. Newth scoring despite Miss Shannon’s gallant attempt to save. In a phalanx the home forwards bore down the field and tested Miss M. Ranson in the goal with’ several hard shots, all of which she saved. Several infringements by Taranaki enabled the visitors to retaliate, and from a series of corner hits they were repulsed by Taranaki’s backs. The Taranaki girls were penned in their circle for a long period, -but eventually Miss P. Kemp secured and sent her forwards to the attack. Taranaki was again pressing hard when half-time sounded with the score: —'ManawatuX . ■ ’ ' Taranaki 0 After “lemons,” the Manawatu players had the sun behind them and the advantage of an increasing wind. They broke away and reached Taranaki’s twenty-five, where Miss Kemp stayed their progress. Then Miss N. Julian made a brilliant run downfield and passed to Miss Watkins who, accompanied by Misses Newlove, Lilly and Wylds, rushed the Manawatu goalkeeper, Miss Newlove netting with a brilliant shot and equalising the score." Immediately from the bully-off Miss W. Ranson, the visitors’ captain and centre-forward, with a paralysing run penetrated the defence, and with a magnificent shot, which gave Taranaki’s custodian no chance, again placed Manawatu in the lead. Spurred to valorous efforts by the plaudits of the spectators, Taranaki gave Miss M. Ranson, in goal, an exciting time, but she successfully turned hard shots by Misses P. Wylds, B. Watkins and N. Hunt. Another solo effort by Miss Ranson carried play to the home team’s territory, where Miss Shannon effected a wonderful save, turning a fast ball over the net. Taranaki returned to the attack and gradually forced the visitors to give ground. Then Misses F. Highfield and W. Ranson combined in a sparkling run down the field, outwitting by tapping the ball one to the other every opponent until they reached Taranaki’s circle. Miss Ranson swung and rushed the goal. Miss Shannon momentarily cleared but the clever Manawatu representative followed up and scored Manawatu’s third goal. Miss W. Ranson retired hurt and was replaced by Miss L. Davis, who rushed the circle and received a penalty bully for obstruction. Miss Davis easily beat her opponent and scored. Shortly afterwards Miss L. Schlierke added Manawatu’s fifth goal. Taranaki staged a last-minute rally from which Miss P. Wylds cleverly drew the goalkeeper and' sent the ball crashing into the undefended net. Time sounded almost immediately with the scores: Manawatu 5 Taranaki 2 Messrs E. Fryer and W. Lundy refereed.