WELLINGTON LEADS WITH SOUTHLAND

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 286, 30 August 1935, Page 23

WELLINGTON LEADS WITH SOUTHLAND

Second Day’s Play

DOMINION BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

As a result of the second day's play in the New Zealand Basketball Association’s tournament, at Mount Cook School courts, Wellington and Southland yesterday established a lead in the first grade, and Ashburton, South Canterbury and Taranaki in the second grade.. Play was rather marred by a stiff breeze, which impaired long range shooting, but there were none the less several excellent matches.

Basketball is now accepted as one of the finest sports for girls, providing both admirable physical exercise and training in quick decisive action, and team combination. In the first Dominion tournament nine years ago, only six teams participated, whereas 23 are competing in this year’s contests. The interest which is taken in the game was clearly demonstrated yesterday by the large number of enthusiasts who gathered at the Buckle Street courts to watch the play. Probably the best match of the day was that between Auckland and Canterbury, in the first, grade. Play was keen, passing quick and accurate,- particularly during the second half, and a number of very spectacular goals were scored, in spite of the gusty conditions. Neither side showed their usual teamwork," but particularly brilliant individual efforts were made by Miss O. ' Wheatley (Canterbury) and by Miss T. Houghton and Miss D. Crouch (Auckland). There was some rapid scoring just before the close of play, Canterbury winning by 18 goals to 14. Canterbury are the present holders of the Annie. Brown Cup. The principal scorers were Miss Wheatley and Miss B. Gluestien (7 goals each) for Canterbury, and Miss T. Houghton (4 goals), Miss I. Bowman and Miss D. Crouch (5 goals each) for Auckland. Another bright game, when some fine play was seen, was that, in which Otago beat Hawke’s Bay by 16 goals to 9. During the early part of the match Hawke’s Bay showed themselves strong in defence, and were much more accurate than their opponents. This team is considered to show quite the greatest improvement on its last year’s form. At half-time they were leading by 5-4. In the second half, however, Otago took the offensive, and made quick scoring, Miss E. Howard being conspicuous. There was a chapter of accidents, when two Hawke’s Bay. girls collided, and soon afterward Miss M. Sargent had to leave the court. Wellington and Otago met in a close game early in the day, the home team winning by 9-6. Wellington- were unfortunate in that their captain, Miss J. Mitchell, injured her ankle prior to the tournament, -and could not play. •> ellington forwards had a definite advantage over their opponents, but- throughout the first half the Otago defence did not weaken, and the score at the interval was 3-2 in the visitors’ favour. The home team showed fine combination, and drew away in the second half. Wellington’s other match yesterday was against Poverty Bay, whom they beat easily, 21-4. The Poverty Bay team lost 'several chances through inaccurate passing, and their shooting ■ was weak. They did not manage to score until just before half-time, when they rallied and took 3 goals iu ten minutes. The score was then 13-3 in Wellington’s favour, and this lead was augmented in tho later stages. , n a Southland beat Canterbury by 7 to b after a very close game, the winners scoring the odd point close ,on time. Canterbury were unfortunately without one of their best players. Miss V. Flood, a South Island representative, who is at present incapacitated. Results of other first grade games were: Waikato beat Poverty Bay, 10-2; Auckland beat Hawke’s Bay. 14-11; Southland beat Waikato. 19-8. In the second division. Wellington Minor beat West Coast, 17-9, Wanganui 24-8, and Nelson 18-4, showing tremendously improved form, and putting up a very meritorious performance. They are obviously a well-trained team, strong in passing, combination, accuracy and speed. Other good games in the second grade were between Manawatu and Wairoa, the former winning 10-8, and between Ashburton and Marlborough. Ashburton won this match 21-16. Miss .1. McMillan and Miss I. Holland throwing some good goals. Marlborough were rattled by the wind, and only found form late in the game. Other second grade results were: Bush beat North Auckland. 17-5; South Canterbury beat Nelson, 18-3; Rotorua beat Manganui, 19-10; Taranaki beat Wairarapa, after a close game, 13-12; South Canterbury beat Taranaki, 17-9; Wairoa beat North Auckland. 16-11; Taranaki beat Nelson, 23-6; Ashburton beat Manawatu. 18-15 ; Southland Minor beat Marlborough. 20-8; Rotorua beat West Coast, li-ll; Wairarapa beat Wanganui. 25-11. The scores in points at the close of the second day were, therefore, as follow First grade: Wellington and Southland. 8: Auckland, Canterbury and Otago, 4; Waikato, 2; Hawke's Bay and Poverty Bay. 0. Second grade, section 1 : Ashburton. 8; Southland Minor. 5; Manawatu, 4: Wairoa, 3; Bush. 2; Marlborough and North Auckland. 0. Section 2: South Canterbury and Taranaki. 8; Wellington Minor 6; Rotorua, 4; West Coast, Nelson and Wairarapa. 2; Wanganui, 0.