RANGITIKEI BEATEN IN SEMI-FINAL OF N.Z. WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Wanganui Chronicle, 6 September 1947, Page 3

RANGITIKEI BEATEN IN SEMI-FINAL OF N.Z. WOMEN’S HOCKEY

(Special) Wellington, Sept. 5. Canterbury A defeated Rangitikei by two goals to nil after a hardfought game in the semi-finals of the women’s hockey tournament this afternoon, before an appreciative, if critical, attendance.

Rangitikei played a hard, sound game. Canterbury had to give oi their best to score their points. In the second semi-final game Wellington A defeated Canterbury B by one goal to nil.

Rangitikei’s game against Canterbury was outstanding for the miraculous saves by both teams. Rangitikei started well, keeping play in its opponent’s territory for some time, and play became increasingly hard as Canterbury settled down, attacking vigorously and determined to get the upper hand. High pressure play lasted throughout the game. The teams were:—

Canterbury A. Deer, Geddes, Calder, Hockridge, Miles, Sanders, McKenzie, Mouat, N. McKenzie, Brockman, Rollitt.

Rangitikei: Apirana, Christian, Davidson, Gutty, Henderson, Iwakau, Judd, Mills, McLennan, t). Patterson, J. Patterson.

Rangitikei continued to thrust hard and came near to scoring, but Canterbury took the upper hand for some time. Rangitikei’s determination, however, increased and they were prevented from scoring on numerous occasions by fast play by the opposing backs. Rangitikei’s defence, however, momentarily slipped and Mouatt netted for Canterbury. A few seconds after, but for a brilliant save, Rangitikei would have equalised Canterbury maintained the upper hand in the second half but Rangitikei remaining, on the alert, continued to lead occasional rushes into enemy territory. Canterbury worked hardest, but the brilliant saves by the Rangitikei defence, including the goalie, Gutty, that brought cheers irom the crowd, kept Canterbury at bay.

The applause seemed to put new heart into the Rangitikei side, which burst, into Canterbury territory, keeping play for some time about the Canterbury goal. Although when driven back and they had not scored, they broke up each of Canterbury’s thrusts with smooth clockwork precision, until Brockman seized a lightning chance and netted Canterbury’s second point in the last live minutes of