Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 14 April 1933
Women’s Hockey Champions Again
Swlnton Retain Sheffield Cup
Miss Riley (Captain of the Swinton team).
Swinton 2, Victoria Hall 1
Swinton, holders of the Sheffield Association Challenge Cup and undefeated in league games in the past two seasons, maintained their splendid record by beating Victoria Hall in the final of the cup competition on Saturday.
The game was played in ideal weather on the Bankers’ ground at Abbeydale Park, and was witnessed by scores of Swinton supporters.
Swinton had a goal within a few minutes of the start, Miss Wilkinson on the left wing snapping up an opportunity and giving Miss Stacey no chance. As the game proceeded Swinton, after giving promise of an easy win, lost their usual soundness and made many mistakes. The surface of the ground was not too good, making it difficult to judge the bounce of the ball and unintentional kicking was constantly penalised as a result. Victoria Hall were certainly not overawed by Swinton’s reputation, and played with remarkable confidence while the champions showed signs of nervousness. Miss P. White, the Victoria Hall and Sheffield Association left wing, received too few passes, but when she did obtain the ball Miss Roberts and Miss Broadhurst had their work cut out in checking her. Swinton made the best use of their wings, and it was due to their opponents’ sound defence that the score was not increased in the first half. Corners were often conceded, but Swinton rarely benefited from these.
After the interval, Swinton opened in great style, and Miss Wilkinson again scored in the first View minutes. It was evident, however, that 2 – 0 was not a safe lead and Miss M. White of the Sheffield team seemed determined to prove it. She often reached the circle and only sheer weight of numbers stopped her. Miss Fretwell, in goal, was not often called upon, but she was always on the alert and when Miss M. White scored Victoria Hall’s only goal with the best shot of the match she had no chance.
Victoria Hall, encouraged by this goal, put up a stern fight, and had they got an equaliser at this stage the result might have been different. Miss Webber and Miss Riley worked hard and concentrated on defence In the last ten minutes. Miss Broadhurst was so often pulled up for “sticks ” that she was put off her game completely, and her usual powerful strokes became rather timid hits. Miss Jackson looked like scoring once or twice, but not once did she send in a shot in the crisp, clean style which has won matches for Swinton on many occasions.
Every player on the field pulled her weight and fought hard, and if the play was hardly up to championship standard they may be excused in that the game never proceeded many moments without being stopped for an infringement.
Teams:—
Swinton: Misses D. Pretwell, M. N. Broadhurst, B. Brownlee, C. Roberts, E. Webber, E. Riley, E. Crook, M. Johnson, W. Jackson, E. M. Waddington and D. Wilkinson.
Victoria Hall: Misses E. Stacey, E. Broad, A. Woodcock, E. Jenkins, M. Croft, P. McDonald, B. Ward, L. Charlesworth, M. White, R. Hutchinson and P. White.
Umpire: Mr. R. P. Bowker (Sheffield).
After the came the trophy was presented to Miss Riley, the Swinton captain, who congratulated Victoria Hall upon their fine performance. Swinton supporters, optimistic enough to anticipate victory, were able to see the success was celebrated in the usual style.