GILMOUR CUP HOCKEY

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1934, Page 9

GILMOUR CUP HOCKEY

NEW PLYMOUTH WOMEN’S PLAY. IMPROVEMENT OF THE TEAMS. The last round matches on Saturday for the Gilmour Cup, contested between New Plymouth nine-a-side women’s hockey teams, completed a successful season. After some years’ lapse of interest the revival of the game at New Plymouth has been unexpectedly popular, and the fact that the full-strength New Plymouth team which took part in the provincial championship signalised its “come-back” by carrying off both the Taranaki Shield and Kowhai Cup is a sufficient demonstration that enthusiasm has not been idle. The purpose of instituting Gilmour Cup matches was mainly to encourage and to offer facilities to novices at hockey. Results have certainly justified the attempt. In the five teams competing a remarkable improvement, particularly among the new players, is apprent; and at this rate it seems probable that next season will see teams taking the field with 11 players of reasonable proficiency instead of with nine mainly untested tyros. The fault throughout the season, partly due to the teams being at short strength, partly to the disproportionate ability of the players, has been lack of combination. Individual improvement among juniors and individual brilliance among seniors, denote a live club with possibilities of going far, but unless solo efforts are incorporated into concerted team action there will come a time when further advance is impossible. If coaching could be arranged this outstanding fault might be remedied, but it appears difficult to collect all members of a team at the same time for a practice. The team which deserves the highest praise for all-round improvement is the runner-up, Urenui. The open and wellknit movements of the forwards, sent away by sound defence, demonstrate the value of individual cleverness combined into a concentrated team attack. It was only the absence of the team’s most brilliant back and the fearless keeping of the Star goalie that lost for Urenui last Saturday what should have been t certain chance for the cup. Nevertheless, Kiwis, though lucky to win the trophy, is a hard-working team, earned along principally by the dash and ability of its captain but including among its members several players who have showed remarkable improvement. Throughout the season in spite of the enthusiasm. of players there has been a tendency to come late to matches, a habit causing irritation.both to referees and io those of the team who have made the effort to be in time. Unnecessary delay might easily be avoided by more thoughtfulness among players. The match between City and Tuis, the two bottom teams in the repetition, which was postponed last weeK, will be played at the New Plymouth racecourse ! on Saturday afternoon.