Women's Hockey Club

The team that visited Auckland last week-end was as follows:—

Goal: Sheila Mason.

Backs: Daisy Filmer ([unclear: capt].), Pat. Miles.

Half-backs: Mavis Davidson, Betty Rider, Janet Bogle.

Forwards: Irene Kean, Marion Marwick, Dorris Pegler, Ruth Russell, Marybell Wilson.

Despite Auckland's profuse apologies for the rough condition of the ground as compared with Milford Park—the home of women's sports in Auckland—Hobson Park proved to be much faster than any field our V.U.C. girls had previously experienced. This sudden change from "Newtown Mud-pool," and the effect of a sleepless night on the train, may have [unclear: counted] for the uninspiring open of the game.

At [unclear: 1st] the whole team seemed to be [unclear: rather] off form, and a good deal of work fell on Sheila in goal. The clean, snappy passes of the Auckland forwards, especially the right inside and centre, rather rattled our defence. Several times they passed our backs and would have scored, if Sheila had not so neatly diverted the ball. By half-time, however, they were making headway, and the score was 2—0 in their favour.

With the change of ends and louder encouragement from the sideline, our team began to buck up. Repeatedly the ball was taken down the left sideline by Marion Marwick and Irene Kean, only to be repelled by the Auckland full-back. These girls played a steady game, and finally their efforts were rewarded. An opening appeared on the right side, and the ball was swung over to Marybell, who wasted no time in passing the opposing half and centred the ball to Ruth Russell, who cleverly evaded the fullback and scored our only goal.

This, together with the enthusiastic but rather hoarse barracking from the men's team, seemed to spur on our team. The pace of the game increased. Amazingly, Dorris just failed to score for us, and the opposing forwards made several furious attempts in the last fifteen minutes, but by now our backs were proving more stubborn, and the score remained at 1—2. Another five minutes might have made the score equal, but, all things considered, Victoria though not victorious, were certainly [unclear: not] "licked."

The Juniors.

This team is proving very keen, but being comprised mainly of beginners at hockey this season, is finding it lather difficult to work up any combinations. Inexperience is certainly compensated for by the enthusiasm and vim of the players. Among those showing good promise, Doris Filmer is playing a steady game as left inside, Betty Boyes a few weeks ago [unclear: scored] the team's only [unclear: il], and Shona Bell is fitting in well [unclear: sf] full-back. The team will miss Joan Finlay from the half line, since, owing to illness, she will be unable to play again this season.