WOMEN’S HOCKEY IN AUCKLAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 226, 24 September 1945, Page 2

WOMEN’S HOCKEY IN AUCKLAND

N.Z. TOURNEY IN REVIEW ) EXPERIENCES OF TEAM FROM RANGITIKEI. The Rangitikei Women’s Representative Hockey tea;ji returned to Marton on Monday morning alter attending the New Zealand Women’s Hockey Championships at Auckland. With two wins and a draw to their cred.t, the team is well satisfied with its performance and Rangitikei enthusiasts should be justly proud, especially as the members of the team have only this season commenced play again after being in recess lor the past three years. Auckland weather was not up to standard for the first few days of the tournament, but it then settled down to perfect hockey weather, which made the trip all the more enjoyable.

Seven other teams, from Auckland, Wellington. Canterbury, Otago, Wairarapa. Poverty Bay and Wanganui, competed, the championship being won by Otago (who did not lose a game throughout) with 14 points. Rangitikei, Wairarapa ar.d Poverty Bay 5 points each. Wanganui was very unlucky in not winning a game. All teams arrived at Auckland on Friday, September 7, ’and were welcomed at the station by members of the Auckland Womens’ Hockey Association. Rationing made it difficult to arrange billeting for the various teams, so that each team arranged its own accommodation. Four teams, including Rangitikei, had booked in at the Peoples Palace, which, although very handy to the city, was some distance from the playing grounds at Melville Park, Mt. Eden. However, a successful application to the Transport Department made it possible to hire a bus which, by arrangement, took both the Rangitikei and Wanganui teams to the grounds each day at 1.30 p.m. and brought them back again at 5 p.m. Although it was unfortunate that the bus drivers decided to strike on the Tuesday of such an important week, they were back on the job aga*n on the Friday.

Quite a good tram service was, of course, available on the intervening days, but this meant setting out earlier and involved a fair walk from the tram stop to the grounds. The tournament commenced in earnest on Saturday, September 8, when all teams assembled at Melville Park at 1.15 p.m. to be officially welcomed. At 1.25 p.m. there was a parade of the teams, led by the Girls’ Akarana Band, and the marching of the Rangitikei team in this parade warrant spec.al mention. With all the teams, in their varied uniforms ready for play, it was indeed a spectacular gathering. Play commenced each day at 2 p.m. Two games were played nt that time and another two at 3.15 p.m., so that all eight teams took part each day. Afternon tea was served free to the players as each team came off the field.

RANGITIKEI’S FIRST GAME. Rangitikei played their first game against Otago at 2 p.m. on the Saturday. and held the champions until half-time—no score. An amusing incident (at least to the Rangitikei team) could be told here. All through the first half an offie.al photographer crouched down beside Otago’s goal waiting to photograph Otago’s first goal, but all he got, if anything, was the brilliant goal-keeping of the Rangitikei goalie. In the second half, however, Ranitikei seemed to tire and Otago’s superior positional play enabled them to net the ball 5 times, the game ending with the score 5 to nil. On Saturday evening the teams were entertained at a social and games evening at the Y.W.C.A. On Sunday a number of the Rangitikei team attended morning service at St. David’s Church, in Kyber Pass, and some also attended St. Barnabas- Church at Mt. Eden.

In the afternoon the Auckland Association provided buses for a trip to Tui Glen, a very pretty spot some 10 miles from Auckland. A number of

sports events had been arranged for the team and a prize was awarded to the team scoring most points in these event-. Cante**)ury proved the winners, but Rangitikei were a good second only a lew points behind. On the Monday, Rangitikei met. Poverty Bay, and, although Rangilikei had every chance 1o improve, the game resulted in a draw.

Wellington proved too strong a side for Rangitikei on the Tuesday, although Rangitikei played well for the first half of the game. Wellington obtained a decisive lead soon after half time, scoring three goals in quick succes ‘ion. and held it to win 5 to 2. Whether the ’bus strike had an adverse effect on the Rangitikei team on hte Wednesday, is not known, but the least said of the match on that day against Auckland the better Auckland won 8 to nil. The Rangitikei team appeared to suffer a complete slump in form, but. in the light of Auckland’s subsequent win 6 to nil against Canterbury (the runners-up with Auckland, it is obvious they were not disgraced.

The Thursday brought Rangitikei its first win—against Wairarapa. The game was not. spectacular, but both teams worked hard am. provided much excitement, especially at the call of timo with Rangitikei score at 2 and Wairarapa 1.

On Friday 14, Rangitikei played their best game of the tournament to be beaten only 2 to 1 by Canterbury, he game was "very willing throughout and Canterbury were fully extended. RANGITIKEI v. WANGANUI. * Saturday’s game against Wanganui was also good, although Rangitikei very scratchy in the first hajf. Wanganui led 1 to 0 at half time. In the second spell, Rangitikei played with more dash and combination and, tak.ng full advantage of their opportunities, found the net three times before the call of time, the game ending in another win for Rangitikei, the score beng 3 to 1.

In addition to the entertainment’s already mentioned, the teams were the guests of the Auckland Women’s Hockey Association on two occasions at the St. James’ and Century Picture theatres. Then, on the Saturday night, the tournament wound up with a Tourney Ball and presentation of prizes at the Manchester Unity Hall. Otago received the coveted “K” Cup as winners, Canterbury an Auckland (equal) the T. L. Floyd Shield, which goes to the runners-up (held for 6 months each) and Wellington the Holden Cup, the third p.'ize. These trophies are held for 12 months and competed for again at the following year's tournament. There were two free evenings when members of the respective teams were able to choose their own form of entertainment or visit, friends and relatives. The mornin <s were spent mostly in and around the city. Ono morning the Rangitikei team ferried across Ihe harbour to Devonport. to see the sights, but could not go further afield becau e of the bus strike. Another morning was spent at the Zoo. The general inclination of the players in lhe mornings was to res! or take ihings easy bools and pads had Io be cleaned and imifomis pressed in readiness for the afternoon and at 11.30 every day there was a compulsory rest period, so that organised sight-seeing every day was not practicable nor wise. Altogether il was a \erv enjoyable trip and the ex per en co gamed by lhe team wa; invaluable. It s Io be hoped that next year a team will again be enterej for the tournament,

for it is obvious that Rangitikei has lhe nucleus of a championship team which g-ven the necessary preparation and training on more suitable grounds, will one day bring lhe champion, hip honours to Rangitikei. The Rangitike! team at this year's tournament were as follows:—E. Davidson (capt.), P. Royal (vicecapt.). J. Bush, P. Gofty, M. Hutton, L. Kukuta’, E. Mills, 1). Paterson, 13. Paterson, E. Pedersen, L. Sadler, R. While, J. Apirana, P. Gro.‘<art and M. Tryce.