WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 263, 4 August 1939, Page 15

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Third Grade Tournament

INTERNATIONAL RULES By Defence. As the senior championship competition is finished and there are still a few weeks before the tournament it was decided to have a further round of games tor this grade and to plaj' them according to the international rules—seven-a-side. This was a good idea,.as the senior grade of the New Zealand tournament next year will be decided on these rules. Some teams had some coaching along these lines, as they practised with the New Zealand team last year, but no one is very experienced in knowing what, tactics to use for the two roving players. Training College seemed to have a better understanding than Wellington East, aud many occasions found the champions out of position, so that if the attackers had not been able to shoot Training College would have won; they were superior in field work. Awatea were quite lost for the first quarter of au hour, and Island Bay established a good lead. However, when the former team did work out some combination they were able to go ahead and won comfortably. University, who have had a hard luck season altogether, decided not to play any more, and so Kia Ora had a bye. Senior B. Competitions are nearing a close for this grade, only two more games having to be played. The result can really not be affected now as far as the section winners are concerned. Aspro and Island Bay will have to play off for the trophy. These teams have met only once this season, and that at the King’s Birthday tournament, when Aspro won easily. This, of course, is not an accurate gauge as to the strength of the teams, and it will be interesting to see whether Aspro keep their unbeaten record for the season. Last Saturday Aspro put up a tremendous score of 42 goals; Island Bay were not on their game and lost to Wellington East Old Girls. This latter team has keen improving steadily all the season and had they begun well would perhaps be challenging Island Bay for top place. Training College are also improving, but they miss so much at the beginning of the season that it is difficult for them to be a really first-class team. Taupo have had much hard luck, having to play short on several occasions, which must be disappointing to a promising team. Wembley and Technical College Old Girls are not doing so well as they did at the beginning of the year, perhaps because bad weather during the week has prevented the usual practice. Third Grade Tournament.

A high standard of basketball was noticed in most of the games last Saturday, when the usual King’s Birthday tournament reached its final stages. Olympic played very well indeed and were unlucky rather to lose by small margins to be eliminated. They have a great sense of combination and should keep on improving. Aspro play in this grade with as much understanding as does the team in senior B. Taupo are not so good, Ibut have a very sure young player in the forward' third who is responsible .for, most of the goals scored. Wellington' East No. 1 team did not play well at all, but the second team showed much improvement. Y.W.C.A. No. 1 team played their usual steady game, which just misses being among the best. Aitkens, leading in their section, do not seem to be quite so good as the top teams in the other section, and they would accomplish more if they learned to control their movements and not be responsible for so much personal contact. Roseneath are another team like’Y.W.C.A. No. 1, who play steadilv but are not quite good enough to come out winners. The final will be played on Saturday afternoon.

Catholic Tournament. The Catholic clubs have an annual oneday tournament when they compete for the Edith Muir Cup. Next weekend will he the fifth occasion that the competition has been held. St. Joseph’s won the first two years, and in the Inst two have shared honours with Hutt Convent Old Girls. Till this year the tournament has nlwnys been held on St. Joseph’s grounds, but this time will be played at the Hutt. Eleven teams have entered: St. Anne’s (2), Guildford (1), St. Joseph’s (4), Hutt Convent O.G. (4). Matches are played in two sections, seven minutes each way. Mr. Budden (Wellington), Mrs. Howe (Hutt), and some of the players will help with the refereeing.

Appointments. Mr. Budden will referee the Wellington v. Canterbury (senior B) game on August 12. Mrs. Barker and Miss E. McInnes are linesmen, and Miss Burnley and Mr. Dallaston scorer and timekeeper. Miss O. Wharton and Mrs. Mclnnes are delegates to the N.Z. council meeting at Invercargill. Mrs. A. Muir and Mrs. Mclnnes are tournament secretaries for 1940.

Captains: Senior A, Jean Mitchell; senior B, Edna Hawtrey; third grade, E. Robertson. /