WELLINGTON TEAM WELL AHEAD

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 287, 31 August 1935, Page 11

WELLINGTON TEAM WELL AHEAD

Impregnable Position

YESTERDAY’S BASKETBALL RESULTS When the New Zealand Basketball Association’s tournament was continued yesterday at the Mount Cook School courts, the Southland team suffered two defeats, and left Wellington, present holders of the New Zealand Cup, with an undisputed lead in the A Grade. Southland were unfortunate in that, when playing Otago in the morning they lost one of their best forwards, Miss M. McCurdy, through injury, and although she took the field in the afternoon against Wellington, she was obliged to retire again early in the game. In the second grade, Southland Minor gained two points on Ashburton, who still lead the first section, and Wellington Minor sustained their first defeat, tying with South Canterbury in the second section.

Once again the day was windy, and several of the more prominent goal; throwers of previous days found themselves baffled by the stiff southerly. There was a crowd of spectators, particularly during the afternoon; during the Wellington-Southland match interest reached fever-pitch, and there was a good deal of friendly barracking. Scorers at the official table found it difficult at times to follow the play, through onlookers pressing forward over the back line of the court. The score in points at the close of play yesterday afternoon was as follows :— First Grade. Wellington .... 12 Otago 7 Southland .... 8 Waikato - Canterbury ... jS Hawke’s Bay .. 2 Auckland .... 7 Poverty Bay .. 0 Second Grade. (•Section I.) Ashburton ... 10 Marlborough .. 3 Southland Minor 9 Bush 2 Wairoa 6 North Auckland 0 Manawatu ... 6 (Section II.) Wellington Min. 12 Rotorua ...... 4 •S. Canterbury .12 West Coast .. 4 Taranaki 10 Nelson “ Wairarapa .... 6 Wanganui ... 0 Wellington Beat Southland. A keen, fast game resulted in Wellington heating Southland 10-9, their sixth successive win. Soon after the throw-off Miss M. McCurdy, who had been previously injured, had to leave the field, being replaced by Miss L. Glennie. Southland took the offensive, showing strong combination, and a clever series of passes terminated in a goal. Southland centres and forwards showed to advantage, particularly Miss J. Tyrell and Miss L. Mehaffqy. Wellington, rallied; Miss J. Graingei - scored following a penalty, and Miss B. Tanks levelled the score. Play became increasingly quick and eager, and Miss F. Basstain threw a very pretty goal, restoring Southland’s lead. But this was only temporary. There was quick scoring on both sides, and at halftime the score stood' at 4-all. 'Wellington had lost several good chances through inaccurate shooting. The Southland defence was sound, and Miss M. Shand used her height to advantage. Wellington pressed hard in the second half, and Miss M. Simmons and Miss Tunke scored, the former taking three goals within a few minutes. Southland were not marking their opponents as closely as were Wellington. The home team drew away until they were leading by three points, 8-5. At this stage interest became increasingly keen, ;md play rather rough and wild. Miss Mehaffey was playing a tine game for Southland, and Miss Grainger and Miss Tunks were outstanding in the Wellington team. The passing of the visitors was brilliant, and in the last part of the game they again took the offensive, scoring their last goal just before the whistle blew for time. This match placed Wellington in an impregnable position.

Other First-grade Games. When Southland met Otago in the morning they met with a misfortune that spoiled their chances of winning the tournament. They opened well, showing the sound defence ■ and accurate ami quick passing that bad characterised their play during the earlier games. They led by 3 goals to 1 when Miss McCurdy had to go off the court with an injured knee. This shook the combination of the team, and Otago took advantage of their opponents’ weakness. Otago, however, were displaying the best form they had shown, and deserved their victory. Canterbury showed good play in their match with Hawke’s Bay, whom they beat 15-10. Although Hawke’s Bay improved during the second spell and showed sound team work, they lost several chances at the post. Auckland 'beat Poverty Bay in the morning 16-6. The Auckland team have throughout the tournament been notable for quick and clever passing movements, and all their games have been spectacular. In this game, however, Poverty Bay set the pace and were leading until half-time. Wellington beat Waikato without great difficulty iu the morning by 24 goals to 9. Hawke’s Bay scored a decisive win, their first during the tournament, over Poverty Bay, by 19 goals to 8. Canterbury beat Waikato 17-12 in a fast, interesting game. Waikato, who are playing their first tournament in this

grade, showed up well, but could not cope with Canterbury’s accurate shooting. Miss B. Gluestein was prominent in the winning team. Auckland drew with Otago, 13 all. On the offensive the Northern team had the advantage. On the defence they were the weaker team. Toward the close of the game, play became excited and uncontrolled. Second Grade Results.

The South Canterbury team played well yesterday, beating Wanganui 17-7 iu the morning, and Wellington Minor 19-9 in the afternoon. Until this stage, Wellington Minor had been undefeated, with six successive wins, and South Canterbury two points behind. This match, however, placed the two teams level at the head of their section. Throughout the game South Canterbury had a slight advantage, Miss C. Palmer and Miss D. Strachan showing up. J. McLaglan was playing a good game in the Hutt Valley team. In the second half the Wellington Minor goalkeepers seemed hampered by the southerly breeze. The match between Ashburton and North Auckland, being the South Island team’s fifth win, was secured by the comfortable margin of 20-9. This placed them in the lead of their section, one point ahead of Southland Minor. Other second grade results were:—Wairarapa beat Nelson, 17-0; Southland Minor beat Manawatu, 22-12; "Wairoa beat Bush, 13-6; South Canterbury beat Wanganui, 17-7; Wellington Minor beat Rotorua, 28-12; Taranaki beat West Coast, 20-7; South Canterbury beat Rotorua, 18-6; Marlborough and Wairoa tied, 15 all; Manawatu beat Bush, 18-13; Taranaki beat Wanganui, 21-12; West Coast beat Nelson, 14-6; Wairarapa beat West Coast, 18-13; Southland Minor beat North Auckland. 17-5; and Wairarapa beat Rotorua, 27-12. To-Day’s Matches. To-day’s main matches will include that for the Hayhurst Cup at 2,30 p.m.; the match between section winners of the second grade for the President’s Shield, at 1 p - .m.; and the North v. South Island match. The following teams have been selected to play in the inter-island match, which will be the concluding games of the tournament : — . North Island: Forwards, J. Grainger (Wellington), N. Simmons (Wellington), T. Houghton (Auckland), R. Tong (Hawke’s Bay) ; centres, G. McGurk (Wellington), J. Norrie (Wellington), N. Jacombs (Auckland), G. Symes (Hawkes Bay) ; defenders, E. Carsons (Wellington), M. Blake (Wellington), R. Stevenson (Auckland), and A. Bryan (Hawkes South Island: Forwards, L. Mehaffey (Southland), F. Basstinn (Southland), E. Howard (Otago), O. Wheatley (Canterbury) ; centres, P. Griffiths (Otago), E. Campbell (Otago), E. Neave (Southland), G. Winter (Canterbury): defenders, G. Thompson (Otago), A. Kerr (Otago), M. Santy (Canterbury), and M. Shand -(Southland). Trophies will be presented at a dinner to be held this evening under the auspices of the Wellington Basketball Association.