BASKETBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 122, 26 May 1939, Page 13

BASKETBALL.

THE* Y.M.C.A. LEAGUE. Kesults >>f games in the Y.M.C.A. Basketball League this week: — Seagull* 21 (Bush 14. Smith 3. Eraser 'J. Milne 1. Solomon 1). beat Saints 13 (Mad.can 7. Walbranrh 4. Rutledge 2) : Eagles L' 4 (M"t)ri< 10. Brookes (i; Brnwil 4. Swift 4).-. beat Nomads li (MeLindon 4. Whit.- 2)V .Coronas 3D (Middleton 23. N'uuns !». Graham 4. Mollov 1). beat Giants 11 (Fenwick 8. Kyau 1, Dallinger 1. Nichols 1) ; Mormons 41 (Cotterell 14. Wallace 0. Montague <i. Simpson 6. Baumgartner 4. Meka 2), beat Pirates 7 (Bonham 3, Walker 3. Oliphant 1, Buchanan 1) ; Spartans 42 (F. Paton 15. Tangve 10. Hunter 9. H. Paton 8). beat Tigers 8 (M. Dowding 4, W. Bird 2, E. Dowding

[ After Four Years. Northamptonshire beat Cambridge University at Cambridge on May 5 by 73 runs, to end an unfortunate period in their history extending from May, 1933. The sneers;-! was well deserved. In batting and bowline Northants iravc the impression of being a much improved side. Three New Zea!ander.< shared in the county's first victory for four years. E. I'. O'Brien, a former Canterbury representative, carried his bat for 53 in the first innings: W. E. Merritt. the New Zealand 1927 and 1931 spin bowler at Home, besides taking 12 wickets for 161 in the game, made 32 not out in the second innings; while K. C. James, the 1927 and 1931 Dominion wicket-keeper in England, kept ably. Two Northants batsmen made centuries—l). Brookes and J. K. Timms, and curiously enough it was the same pair who saved the countv from defeat against the 1937 New Zealand XI. Left with 429 to make on the final day. Northants scored 308 for four (Brookes 102 not out, Timing 71).

Cocktails Taboo. Two cigarettes a day and permission to wear play suits on hoard ship are among the concessions which the AllAustralia u Hockey Council is allowing the mem/bei« of the women's team to tour England this year. It is an understood thing that cocktails are taboo for a team on tour. Mrs. F. J. Davy, who has managed every touring party from Australia, said the small concessions by the council would add to the general happiness of the players, who have to pay their own expenses—nearly £200--but will he eiven £10 each by the Australian council. It is expected, too. that the States will raise funds for their representatives. Due in England on October 5, they will have a six weeks' tour of England after the International Federation tournament. The players will be allowed to stay in England until April, if desired, hut must be back in Australia for the commencement of the 19441 season.

Davis Cup Player Passes. Charles P. Dixon, the British Davis Cup lawn tennis player, died recently, aged 66. He captained the British Isles Davis Cup team, and figured in the challence round in Melbourne against Australasia in 1012. when the cup wan taken to England. It was the year in which J. C. Parke, the Rugby international footballer, won. Ik>Ui singles, defeating X. E. Brookes and K. VV. Heath. Dixon also beat Heath, but lost to Brookes. Australasia won the doubles, Biookes and A. W. Duulop conquering Parke and A. E. Beamish in straight sets. On the way Home with the trophy the Britons, including K. G. Lowe, beat Xew Zealand at Wellington, where the Dominion team comprised G. Olliviei. then champion. R. X. K. Swans-ton (now living at Takapiina). J. ('. Peacock and V. M. B. Fisher. The best singles was that between Dixon and Swanston. the latter losing after winning the second set at 13 11—having pulled up from 2--.3.

Manager of Wallabies. I Dr. W. V. Matthews, who has been appointed manager of the Australian Rugby, team to tour Great Britain between September 10 and Januaiy 6, piloted the 1933 side through South Africa, where the Au-it-ralians won two of the five Tests, although the captain. Dr. A. W. Ross, and vice-captain, Syd. Malcolm, were out of action most of the time owing to injury or serious illness. Dr. Matthew's will have the assistance of a secretary, who besides having his expenses paid is to receive a salary. The man chosen for the position is Mr. T. Noseda. secretary of the New South Wales Rug-by Union. Dr. Matthews, who is to receive an allowance of £7 week for entertainment, is well-known to many New Zcalanders, as he was manager of the Australian Imperial Force XV. which 'beat New Zealand in the King's Cup series in Britain in 1919. This necessitated a replay with the Mother Country, which Jimmy Ryan and company won, 9 —3, at Twickenham.

Willis Dissatisfied. Dissatisfied with his showing against Don Johnston, the rugged Aucklander, last Monday night, when he lost a points decision, Merv. Willis, rangy Australian welter-weight boxer, wants to have a chance to rehabilitate himself with Auckland fans. To this end he is willing to put up a £100 side bet for another fight with Johnston. Willis is booked to fight X. Fisher in the near future, and feels confident that one or two fights will sharpen him up to such nn extent that he will be able to account for Johnston. The opinion formed by many of the Town Hall patrons who saw the Willis-Johnston fight was that the Australian was unwilling to get in and ''mix it." Willie* showed in flashes that he is a box?r of real class, and his defensive work and countering were as good as anything seen at the Town Hill for some time. He will have to infuse more spirit into his attack if lie wishes to gain the support of the crowd. Be that as it may. Merv is confident he. is Johnston's master, and i> eaper for a chance to prove it. He mnkrthe stipulation that an outside referee be appointed, and that there should he ii" judges, the referee, in 'lis opinion, bciii-' the man to give the decision.

Manukau's Membership. Claim for a New Zealand record :o" membership is niaclc hj the Manuka.! Rovers" Ki.'ul.y Club. Twelve teams have been ellteied in the (.'V.id" compel it :'"i-. I "nt'o: tiin.i! fl-. llie Mail'ik.iu 'li-'t i* >" fattening that l!w 'lull has found its ,-x----pected sixth ->ado player* ton lie.;, y. !.•>•■ Ihtii placed, in comi'i'titjoii. The pnpu'.i:;M of the club is usually itl. ibuted to its we -.- known policy _of promoting promisin-' juniors in preference lo soekinsr seniors from outride dubs. Evidence of me <lun spirit prevailing is eiven in i:ie '"■'" ( ''; : . v iournevs of t'vril Pepper, the senior W . s All Black captain, ivlio travel- from Tak.ipiina to attend practice at Oiichuntta.

Grammar Colts Downed. A dramatic potted coal in the final iniuiito •, hi ought to an end the winning inn of tn : - Grammar Colts' Ruuby fifteen last Saturday. Playing Technical Old Boys. Grammar wont down fisfhtinjr by 10 pointto 6 in a game that several times reached .in exhilai ating pace. Two players imoessecl in the beaten side — K. Garrett, the full-hack, who often kicked 'nilf the length of the field to find tniu.-h. and Bilkey. ii'st five-eishth. who showed •.are penetrative ability and several times went within an ace of scoring.

Former Rep. Married. The Manukau Kueby Club rejoiced last week when H. Wiklund, an old member of the club, a former Auckland representative forward, and now- a popular coach, was married. Wiklund's solid play in the representative side four or five years ago is well remembered.