KIWIS WINS GILMOUR CUP

Taranaki Daily News, 10 September 1934, Page 9

KIWIS WINS GILMOUR CUP

WOMEN’S HOCKEY CONTESTS URENUI DEFEATED BY STAR. FINAL ROUND ON SATURDAY. The final round of the Gilmour Cup competition between New Plymouth nine-a-side women’s hockey teams was played on Saturday. Kiwis won the trophy when it scored a victory over City, by two goals to nil, and brought its total points to 12. Urenui, the other team with a chance for top place, suffered an unexpected defeat at the hands of Star, who netted six goals to four. Star thus gained third position on the list. Tuis and City have yet to meet for the bottom places. Sturdy defence by the City backs forced Kiwis to fight hard for its win. Mrs. Berry gave a splendid display, again and again breaking up the rushes, of the experienced Kiwis forwards. R. MacKenzie was only slightly less reliable, and Mrs. Cummings in goal was even better than usual. The halves, particularly N. Henderson, never let up, and their untiring energy was responsible for a certain amount of disorganisation in the Kiwis’ ranks. M. Hall in the forward line worked hard. Her spoiling tactics are good, but when she breaks away her stickwork fails her at critical moments. A forward closer to the required type is G. Beck, who deserves better fortune and better backing than she has received this season. P. Smith, though speculating too frequently, is a rapidly improving player. Kiwis was strengthened by the addition of Mrs. Eagles to the forwards. With the reliability of Mrs. Frewm and D. Morton and with Mrs. Hutchison’s cleverness and dash, a really strong line of attack was built up, though a tendency to over-hard hitting and too little combination weakened its movements. Numerous attempts at goal found Mrs. Cummings safe, except when a fine shot from Mrs. Eagles glanced off the goalie’s pads and gave Kiwis its first goal. In the second spell Mrs. Hutchison repeatedly shot at the goal but without success. Finally D. Morton rushed in after a melee and netted. After this Mrs. Hutchison fell back on defence. L. Sampson was playing solidly, however, and Mrs. Foreman in the goal was seldom tested, the final score being 2-nil in Kiwis’ favour.

In defeating Urenui Star showed notable form, especially among the weaker links of the team, who played like old hands. T. Slyfield and S. Brough, who scored twice, were prominent among the forwards, while N. Walker particularly, and N. Kitchingman were always in position and useful. M. Allen scored four times, mainly on account of quick following-up which is a feature of forward play too much neglected. V. Houston and Mrs. Simpson were indefatigable in defence, though both are inclined to make the serious error of hitting across the goal-mouth, thus putting the attackers in a good position. T. Grant was always ready when needed but the bulwark of the defence was Mrs. Johnston in goal, who played flawless hockey. The Urenui forwards could not get going until the second spell and felt the lack of sound backing. J. Smith, who scored twice, was the best player of the day, M. Thompson, though clever and aggressive, being below form. Mrs. Hall, particularly, M. Lord and W. Raven kept well in position and were always waiting to join in the movements. Unfortunately the team as a whole was troubled by the slippery ground as the players were wearing sandshoes. It was seriously handicapped by losing its star back, E. Edwin. M. Raumati was brought back from the halves and acquitted herself well. The rest of the defence was not up to their usual standard, however, and speculated too much.