Basketball

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 65, 14 September 1933, Page 19

Basketball

LOCAL TEAM BEATEN

MATCH WITH AUCKLAND

FIFTH GRADE FINAL

The Wellington senior B representative team travelled to Auckland last week -to play an Auckland 13 team. Although the -northern, team was the second team from the Auckland A grade, and.Wellington was. represented by senior B players, withlthe exception of M. Simmons, the; local representatives put up a fine shewing, being beaten by the slight margin of two goals. The team was as follows:—Forwards: P. Pegram, P. Urquhart, M. Simmons; centres, .M. Webster, . K. Wood, L. Biddell; defence, K. Norris (captain), P.. Higgins, H. Williams; emergency, B. .Hill. v ; '

The game, war played under unpleasant conditions, rain falling most of the time. The difficulty in handling a. wet, heavy 'ball slowed up the passing on both sides, but nevertheless both teams demonstrated their ability to handle the ball smartly. From the start of the match, play was even, Wellington having 'a. slight ascendancy in the first spell. Good defensive work by both .teams prevented heavy scoring, and the ball was kept on the move continuously only to bo intercepted in the opposing forward third. Play in the centre-third was dominated by L. Riddell, who gave a fine exhibition of correct control of the ball and intercepting. M. Simmons and P. TJrquhart combined excellently and. were responsible for some ""snappy passing movements in Wellington's attacking third. At half-time the score ..was 6-4 in Wellington's favour. When play resumed, Auckland'stook the offensive, and with quick passing gave their forwards opportunities to equalise. Play was fast and furious, both sides keeping up the pace despite the heaviness of the ball. In the last few minutes of the : game" Auckland broke away and; added two goals to their score, the game ending Auckland 11, "Wellington 9. Miss V. Lee refereed. The team was entertained at a theatre on Saturday night, and on Sunday they were taken for a motor...drive around the city and environs by the Auckland association. Fifth-grade Championship. The first half of the match' between Newtown Old Girls , and Melrose for the fifth-grade chatnpionship was fairly even, although Newtown Old Girls showed more speed and handled the ball more expertly. Both teams had many unsuccessful shots. \at goal. Throughout the ga.me • Melrose lacked the finish usually seen',in-teams from this club, their passing being'alow pnd almost without bias.' 1n...-the-second spell, Newtown soori'forged ahead and added considerably- to their " score, which at half-time stood ; at' 5, Melr rose's score being 2* The "team gave several good exhibitions "of ' sending tho ball quickly through "to their for-

wards, who Usually finished off the movements with a score. Througo over-eagerness, ooth teams were guilty of personal contact and overguarding. A great deal of this was caused by over-excitement through barracking by somo of the onlookers. The applaud-. ing of unsuccessful shots at goal-.is not setting a high standard of sportsmanship for young players. Sports Pageant Parade. In an effort to assist the ITiclden Taylor Mission,., all sports bodies are combining to stage a sports pageant at the Kilbirnie Stadium on Saturday. Basketball -players are asked to help by> turning out in full force. Each player is urgently requested to attend, whether or not her whole team is able to parade. Players will assemble at the entrance to the Kilbirnie Stadium at 1.50 p.m. in costume. The Wellington executive is anxious that this occasion should also serve as a publicity measure, and if every registered player attends it is hoped that the public will be so impressed with the large num ber of girls playing basketball. that. it will not be long before Wellington's players will bsVe their own courts. There are about 1200 player* in Wellington, and it is hoped that most of these will give the support necessary to make the parade, a success. : Referees' Association. The concluding monthly meeting of the Wellington, Basketball Referees' Association was tield on Monday, Mi'. W. E. -Howe, presiding. There were also present Misses McGuirc, Wills, Cleverly, Hollington, Beales, and Armstrong; Messrs. Brewin, Bryant, and McPhorson. The president reported that the secretary (Mr. J. Moiler) was unable to attend through .illness. . , ' •'. • The examination committee reported that Miss Beales had been successful in gaining 84 per cent, in the theoretical examination. ' Misses Beales, Wills, and McGuire applied for practical examination, and it was decided that this be-t. held on September 28. • ; -f An invitation to attend the annual referees' dinner was received ifrom the executive of the Wellington Basketball Association, and was gratefully accepted. Lengthy discussion on the grading and appointment of referees caused much interest, and it was decided to suggests that next season a member of the Referees' Association bo selected to act' on the appointment committee. ' It was decided that the 1934. annual meeting be held on March 5. ,