HOCKEY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XLII, Issue 5761, 27 July 1910, Page 3

HOCKEY.

BALCLL'TiIA v. LAWRRNCF SCHOOL. (Contributed.)

It was halt-past two. The- referee's whistle sounded, tlio teams look the Held, and a 'momentary ' 'silence fell upon the onlookars--a silence soon to bo broken, for the game was a glorious one.

llalclu'tha secured the first advantage. and the Lawrenco backs were rather surprised to see a capablelooking forward line dashing towards them. However, it was a cold day. and they did not mind a little extra work. Soon the barrackers wero ejaculating sympathetic " Ohs !" and

" Ahs," as they saw the .Lawrence gills stopping fast and furious balls with their hands, head, or feet, and s'till the Balclutha girls cainu on, grimly courageous, undaunted. But -while the half - backs vainly working, Seemed here no painful inch to gain, Far back, [last all opponents running. Kate rushed in to their help again. Of course, when we saw that we heaved a sign of relief, and said

" Oil ! Lawrence goal is still safe enough." But those Balclutha forwards ware very persistent, and in a scrummage just within the circle, Miss Macdonald, captain and centreforward, secured the ball, and we heard a yell. "Goal It was not a good'beginning for Lawrence, ami after the bully-off livings looked even worse. Again, the School team were on the defence, Balclutha girls again attacking. Soon they wero once more in the circle, and then it was -that M. JlcNab, our goalkeeper, was given an opportunity. She was not slow to seize it. With splendid coolness, she saved two almost certain goals, sending the ball out to the sides, by dean strong hits. Fortune seemed to smile on Balclutha, however, and soon they scored another goal. Far from being discouraged, the Lawrence girls then began to play. Molly, at bully-off, sent out tfie ball to the left wings. What followed was a foregone conclusion to Lawrence onlookers. The Balclutha backs had a confused idea of a girl streaking past them like lightning, heard a veil, " Look out, Mol]ic," as Wcna contred the ball, and wondered vaguely how the ball had cotme up near them. However, they lost 110 time, but dashed forward. In the struggle that ensued, Wena once more took the ball, and then Balclutha onlookerd joined in.the applause that Lawrence spectators were bestowing on the giils who had made such a glorious effort. It was a grand, hard-won goal, and Wona deserves much of the credit, for, ably as she was backed by the other forwards, she yet took the initiative, and could, perhaps, have scored 011 her own account.

After half-time, Lawrence set In work vigorously. The scoro wus I—2. and the girls wanted to equalise matlei's, if possible. Attack after attack was made, ill vain. The Balclutha hacks were too strong in their defence, and again and again they sent up the ball to their forwards, who i,t once bore down on the Lawrence goal. Throughout the game, Gladys Christie and Ituby Brooks played exceptionally well, and of course Kato McElrlain'and Aggie Matthews played oven better than usual. Anil yet, Fate was against us. It was four minutes ito time, and in those minutes Balclutha scored another goal and the game ended Balclutha 3, Lawrence 1. Despite their defeat, the Lawrence girls thoroughly enjoyed the match, tlt was a most friendly game, and both sides showed that they were true sports. Mr Robertson was referee, his decisions giving entire satisfaction to both teams. The School team were not ashaimed of their defeat, for they were beaten by a splendid team, and throughout the match they were conscious of " that stern joy which warriors feel, in foemen wolrthy of their, steel."

The visitors from Lawrence were most handsomely treated by the Balclutha girls, and the .teams parted with expressions of mutual goodwill. Three hearty cheers were given for each side as the train left the station, and Balclutha added " Three cheers fo>- Kate !" Those cheers were certainly the loudest and heartiest, &nd probably the most deserved.

This afternoon u hockey matcih between the Optimists (ladies) and Pessimists (men) will take place on the Recreation Ground at 3.15 o'clock. The Pessimists, in order to eiftialise play, will wear skirts, which no doubt will inconvenience thorn a good deal and also cause a great amount of amuseiment to onlookers. The collection is to defray expenses iu ctonnection with the Optimist team. [Following are the players selected to repjre-

sent tlio Forwards, May : Jordan, Milly Murr, Charlotte Spokes Joan Wihyitre, iWena Anson ; half-blacks Frances Thistown, Leone Dukes (cap* tain), Mollic Murray ; backs, Bdio , ~Mason, Frances Vivian ;. goalkeeper, : Clara Pink, Bmergonoies, Georgia Longfellow and Polly Wollock. On Saturday afternoon the Milton j Ladies Hockey team defeated Waitaluraa team by six goals to nil, | I " ~