Sportsman’s Notebook WOMEN’S SOFTBALL NEXT WEEK

Press, Volume C, Issue 29706, 27 December 1961, Page 12

Sportsman’s Notebook WOMEN’S SOFTBALL NEXT WEEK

In recent years, the New Zealand senior B inter-pro-vincial women’s softball tournament has lapsed because of few entries, but this season it is to be held in conjunction with the senior A tournament at Dunedin, starting on January 1, and has drawn five entries. Canterbury, who beat the reigning champion a few years ago, will have an even stronger team at this tournament. L. Honeyman will be on the mound: she has been displaying her best form in recent weeks, and will pitch to her club-mate J. GaskelL L. Alston has been proving a sure and quick fielder at first base, while I. Jones covers a lot of ground on second, and is a sure ground fielder with a rd throw. J. Scott on third, very agile, and with a good knowledge of her position. M. Hapuka, with one of the strongest throws in Canterbury. is a sound short-stop, while J. Phillips is having her best season ever at left field. K. McCormack at centre, and J. Timms at right field, are both safe with reliable throws. The reserve pitcher J. Kimber has shown a lot of promise in her first senior season, and another in her first season is K.

Timms who has shown great versatility. R. Fisher has caught for many seasons and has a sound knowledge of her position. The batting line-up contains many long hitters and good hunters, while all are sound base runners. The team will be coached by Misses B. Makinson and N Beal, and should uphold the reputation of Canterbury softball. The senior A team, after holding the Bensil Cup for two seasons, suffered one loss at the hands of Auckland at the last tournament, and will be striving to regain lost prestige. With only one change from the team last season, it should prove strong candidates for the New Zealand title. This tournament also starts on January 1. and has drawn seven entries. The team is: B. Makinson. N. Beale, M. Gaskell. T Tuhou, H. Johnson, L. Parish. C. Brown, C. Mullaby. J Hudson, M. Wright, E. Law. and J. Batie. Mr D. Bell is the manager-coach. * * * Water Polo The former New Zealand representative player R. Henry is not available to play for Canterbury against the visiting Melbourne team in its match at the Centennial Pool this evening. Henry is away from Christchurch on holiday. T. Harris and G. Doyle have been added to the Canterbury squad as reserves. ¥ ¥ * U.K. Soccer Leading teams in the British soccer competitions, including the results of hast Saturday’s games, are: Division I: Burnley 30, Everton 28. Ipswih Town 27. Tottenham Hotspur 27, West Ham United 27, Sheffield Wednesday 26. Division II: Liverpool 35, Leyton Orient 29. Derby 27. Sunderland 27, Norwich City 25. Southampton 25. Division IH: Portsmouth 34. Bournmouth 32. Reeding 31, Bristol City 30. Peterborough 29. Northampton 29. Divison IV: Wrexham 35. Colchester United 34. Carlisle United 31, Aidershot 29, Millwall 28. ¥ ¥ ¥ Bowls Practice The Woolston Bowling Club has announced that its facilities will be available to visiting bowlers for practice in preparation for the New Zealand bowling tournament which will commence next Monday. The greenkeeper has asked that unnecessary driving be kept to a minimum. * ¥ ¥ S.I. Tennis The second tournament on this season's major tennis circuit, the South Island championships at Timaru. will commence on Saturday The Dominion’s top players will take part in their final preparation for the national meeting in Christchurch starting on January 6. The South Island tournament is the only one of the major three which has junior events.