BASKETBALL

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26221, 19 September 1950, Page 4

BASKETBALL

WOMEN’S INDOOR TOURNAMENT

WELLINGTON BEATEN BY OTAGO Only three games were played in the New Zealand women’s indoor basketball championships which began in Christchurch last evening. In the A grade competition, Canterbury was beaten by Auckland, and Otago, last year a B grade team, beat Wellington, which has been very prominent in the competition since its inauguration in 1947.

On previous form, Otago was not expected to beat Wellington, which has been either winner or runner-up since the tournament was first played. Otago had been an A grade team, but last year were dropped to the B grade. Bustling tactics largely contributed to Otago’s success, and the outstanding player for Otago was M. Ramshaw, who scored 20 of the 33 points. The game was more even up to halftime. when the score was 14 points to 9 in Otago’s favour. The team combined well, and supplied Ramshaw with plenty of the ball. An excellent combination, and her accurate shooting, put Otago in a winning position throughout the whole of the second spell. The Otago team appeared much fitter than Wellington. Yvette Williams, New Zealand Empire Games long jump representative, played a sound game for Otago and scored two goals. D. Ashton was also sound on defence. For Wellington. F. Sadler worked tirelessly, and G. Abernethy, on guard, prevented many possible goals. Although beaten by 26 points to 14, Canterbury played well against Auckland. In the opening stages, Canterbury had the upper hand, but the outstandingly accurate long shooting of M. Smith (Auckland) led to Canterbury’s defeat. Smith's 14 points, from seven goals, were the deciding factor in the game. O. Hepples, on guard, also played a sound defensive game. For Canterbury, N. Tregonning and B. Newey were the outstanding guards, and B. Rcwe and L. Luxton were aggressive on attack. Results were as follows: A Grade Auckland beat Canterbury, 26-14. Otago beat Wellington, 33-13. B Grade Pahiatua beat Central Otago, 45-21.