N.Z. basketball team lacks combinations

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32008, 7 June 1969, Page 11

N.Z. basketball team lacks combinations

rpHE Inclusion of E. Rowley (Southland) was the biggest surprise in the New Zealand women’s basketball team announced this week. The team is outstanding for its brilliant individuals rather than tested team combinations.

Rowley was omitted from the original list of trialists but was included later because she was a member of the New Zealand team which toured Australia in 1967.

Her play then was extremely disappointing and she was never included in New Zealand’s top line-up. Ten players have been chosen and three reserves will be named from the 10 before the first test against Australia on June 21. The team is: C. McMaster, J. Harnett, J. Blair (Canterbury), Rowley, N. King (Wellington), P. Hamilton (Auckland), B. Walker, L. McDonald (Otago), T. Ver, coe and F, Wiring! (Rotorua).

King, McDonald and Walker have not played for New Zealand before. King showed good form at the trials and was captain of the North Island last year. McDonald and Walker are two young players who showed outstanding and consistent play in the trials and should receive good experience in the tests. Vercoe and Hamilton will be the defences. Both play a wide-type defence which leaves their partner unmarked and they rejj> on

their considerable ability to intercept rather than on blocking. M. Simeonidis (Canterbury) and L. Mair (Hutt Valley) played partner defence at the trials and succeeded in blocking well but it was obvious that their type of play was not wanted.

Canterbury has the attacking third with McMaster, Harnett and Blair, but Wiring! and Rowley might well

replace Blair and McMaster in the final team. The biggest disappointment for Canterbury was the omission of S. Langrope who played brilliantly in the trials. S. Norman and C. Cottrell played well in their early games but faded in the last series of trials. The most notable feature of the trial games was that the selectors did not once play the New Zealand team combinations together. The telling point in the tests will probably be in the success of the defence. If Australia plays a fast game and combines well, New Zealand may find it difficult to close the gaps in its defence.

Skating at Cheeseman

Ice skating has started at the Canterbury Winter Sports Club field at Mt Cheeseman, 70 miles from Christchurch, where there are two large rinks of good black ice. Good road access on the Christchurch side of the Porter river bridge leads to a comfortable club hut which provides facilities for cooking a hot meal and a warm fire for those who do not wish to skate. The rinks are shallow, and there is supervision by club members. Non-club members welcome.