HOCKEY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3640, 28 September 1912, Page 9

HOCKEY.

THE LADIES’ TRIP

AX OFFICIAL REPORT. At Monday’s meeting of the Management Committee of the Poverty Bay Hockey Association, Air O. R. Olsen submitted a most interesting report upon the trip of the Poverty Bay ladies’ team to Cludstchurch to take part in the recent-t-ournament. Mr Olsen’s report stated that: “The team arrived in Christchurch on Friday morning, 6th inst., and were met by Miss Day ,tlic secretary of the Canterbury Ladies’ Hockey Association. They were then sent to their respective places of stay while in, Christchurch. In the afternoon the team met at Sydenham Park, where the tournament games were to bo played, and indulged in a light practice game against Hawke’s Bay, and managed to beat them by one to nil. This, of course, was only a preliminary canter, but it gave our girls a certain amount of confidence in themselves, a point which up till then had been lacking. “On Saturday-the tournament commenced, and our team played its first match with Taranaki. This was won by 3 to 1. Our team created a most favorable first appearance. Their uniform was considered the smartest on the. field, and the, ‘All Reds,’ or ‘Scarlet Runners,’ as they were jocularly called, soon became very popular. On their play in this match I will quote the remarks made in the ‘Press’: —‘Poverty Bay created a very favorable impression in their first game, and the ‘All Reds’ were assured a strong following in all subsequent games on account of their splendid formation, accurate stick play, and tho fleetness of their forward lino. They played the game yithout unnec-

essary vigor, and with tho exception that they failed to smite ‘hard and often’ when in their opponents’ circle, they outshone the rnoro successful elevens, and were a distinct credit to their coach and the district they represented.’

“On Saturday evening tho team attended the official reception at Cadena, and an enjoyable evening was spent.

“Next Sunday was spent sightseeing, and was thoroughly enjoyed by all the girls. “On Monday wo met Nelson, the holders of the Championship. We were unfortunate in losing by three to two. It was unfortunate in this respect, that our team had all the best of the game. - This game was the best of tho tournament, and the scientific play and combinaion of our team earned them great praise. On all sides was expressed* regret at our loss, and praise foi# our clever and clean hockey.

“On Monday evening a meeting of managers and delegates was held with Mr Gower (Wanganui) in the chair. Some of the delegates urged that tournaments bo done ayvay with and that matches on the same lines as the men’s be played. After some discussion the meeting decided to suggest to the head body that tho tournaments be continued. It was also suggested that in future a North v. South Island match bo played about in tho middle of the tournament. Auckland or AVanganui were suggested as the next year’s place of tournament. •-

“On Tuesday we had a by T e. On AVednosday wo played Manawatu on St. Alban’s Park. The grass was fairly long and the short quick passes of our forwards were not too effective. AVo managed to win by two to one, but the shooting of our forwards when in the circle was most deplorable. On Tuesday evening wo were entertained at the Pictures in His Majesty’s Theatre.

“On Thursday we met Canterbury 13, and our girls secured a win by two to nil, after having all the best of tho play, and had our forwards Ijeen able to shoot iho score should have read twelve instead of two.

“On Friday wo played Otago, and after a gruelling game won by one to nil. This was a fino game and a more scientific, clever game of hockey could not bo wished for. This is what one paper said of this match: ‘ln no game during the tournament until this was played had there been such smart, clever stick play soon. The ball several times passed from one player to another without being allowed to touch the ground. It provided one of the finest displays of clever hockey* seen so far during the tournament. 5 That evening our girls attended tho tournament dance held in tho Art Gallery, but owing to the hard match played that day and having to meet AVairarapa on tho morrow I asked the girls to leave early, which they graciously did. “Tho next day, Saturday, we met AVairarapa, who were leading in our section, and to have a say in the final it was necessary to gain a win. Tins match was a good one, but tho efforts of the week were telling on some of our girls, and they lacked the dash of tho previous day. Still they put up a great fight, and although wo lost by one to nil, our team had quite as much of the game as AVairarapa. One paper put it something like this: ‘The contest was one between bright, clean, clever stick-work on Poverty Bay’s part, and greater strength, reasonably well-directed on the part of their opponents.’ AVairarapa scored just before time.

“On Saturday night and Sunday our girls made their own amusements, and had a thorough good time. “On Monday morning was played the representative match North Island v. South Island.

“Wo had the great honor of having three girls, viz., M. Malcolm (centrehalf), It. Malcolm (centre-forward), and G. Warren (right-wing), selected, arid also M. Mooro and L. Fanningfirst emergencies. We have reason to congratulate ourselves on this when wo consider that the team was picked from seven associations. The South won just on time by three to two. On the play of our girls the ‘Press’ says : ‘The most striking feature of the play was the fielding and stick work of the Poverty Bay members of the team. They intercepted time and again, and thus enabled them to cut off many a threatened attack.’ “Taken on the whole the team did remarkably well. They were credited with playing the most scientific- clevorcst and cleanest hockey seen in the tournament. Our games always drew the crowds of spectators, and by taking defeat and victory in tho same spirit became most popular. “One very pleasing feature was that we went right through a strenuous tournament without a player being injured. Our own clean play certainly had a good deal to do with this as tho teams wo mot treated us as we treated them.

“Tho arrangements loi tho tournament were most satisfactory, and great credit is due to Miss Day and her hard working committee for the splendid manner in which the business was conducted.

“We wore also fortunate in having ideal weather while in Christchurch, and this tended a groat deal to mako tlie trip such an enjoyable one. “With regards to the team, I was much pleased with their behaviour on and off the Sold. I was congratulated by many influential people, both in the hockey world and outside it, on tho manner in which our girls conducted themselves. “A special word of praise munt be accorded Mrs R. N. Jones for the able way she looked after the girls. • We

were -indeed fortunate in -having such a chaperone. She was always ready and willing to assist when occasion demanded, and right through the trip hoi first consideration was the health and welfare of the girls under her charge. I cannot speak too highly of her endeavours to make the trip an enjoyable one for all. “The catpain, Miss Moore, must also be congratulated on the way she skipin'red her team whilst on the field of play, and the team also deserve recognition for the way they pulled together. “Owing to Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay being joint holders of the Championship Cup our team, with Carer*■ bury A become joint holders of the Floyd Shield for runners-up. “Wo played 6 matches, won 4, ’osl 2 We scored 10 goals and had 0 scored against us, “Tin's, for our first appearance in representative hockey is a very creditable record, and augurs well for the prophets in Christchurch, who were prophesying Poverty Bay as nos-/ year’s winners of the Championsho Cup. May their prophecy come true.

“The arrangements made for the team while en route were particularly satisfactory, and were, I am sure, appreciated by the team.

“It has given me great pleasure to have acted as manager for your team, and I must thank the ladies of the team and Mrs Jones for their assistance.l kindly given.

“In conclusion I desire on behalf of tire ladies to sincerely thank the Association, and all those who so kindly assisted in sending the team away 7, and I can assure you that with the experience gained, if we are fortunate in competing in next year’s tournament we will probably do better.”