Basketball

Evening Star, Issue 23657, 17 August 1940, Page 7 (Supplement)

Basketball

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Southland Return Visit. During the visit of the Otago teams to Southland during last week-end it was suggested by the Southern Association that, in view of there being no Now Zealand tournament during tile August vacation, a return visit be paid to Dunedin by the Southland representative team. The suggestion was joyfully received by members of the Otago team and all that awaits supporters of the game is confirmation of the projected visit by the respective executives. A further suggestion was made that a second team, comprising players who narrowly missed inclusion in the representative side, should accompany the team to play a similar Otago combination. This suggestion has also been favourably received by those interested, the date suggested for the proposed fixtures being next Saturday. As the Otago-Canterbury game is set down for September 7, and the Otago B grade, Eastern Southland fixture and the Otago third grade Eastern Districts (Otago)'fixture for the same day a full programme is ahead of players and officials alike. Southland Fixtures. The annual fixtures against Southland, which were played in Invercargill last Saturday were again excellent expositions of the game. The representative game was particularly exciting and the final result was in doubt until time was called. The Otago forwards, were _ particularly unlucky in their shooting, two goals being discounted, other shots rolling out of the ring, and countless just missing. The Otago defence, after a slow-beginning, proved a solid trio. J M'Lean being the outstanding member, but excellent support being given by N. Hanlin and W Dunn Of the centres, Q. Phelan was the most consistent, and played attractively throughout. 1 Stuart, although making many mistakes in the earlier stages, handled brilliantly and combined very well. M. Stewart, the right wing, played splendidly, making excellent interceptions and passing into the forwards verv cleverly The forwards, as a trio, played extremely well, and showed excellent combination. All possessed speed and expert handling of the ball, and although J Clayton holds the honours of the day. it is only by a ve«v narrow margin. Southland won 17-16,

—B Grade Fixture.— In the B grade fixture, except for a period at the commencement of the game, when honours were evenly held, and for a period about halfway through the second half, when Southland quickened its pace aud opened up the play excellently, Otago was the dominant factor. The centres. Grace Macdonald. Pat Mutiraer, and Teresa Valli. again played an outstanding game. N. MacDougall doing likewise ■ after she took the field. Joan Ingram. Joan Morgan, and Bessie Shirley played strong, aggressive basketball and curtailed the Southland forwards’ movements on ninny occasions. Play in the forward third was superior to that shown the previous Saturday, the players playing more confidently and moving with more alertness over the court. Dorothy Hutton again proved the nivoting centre of this area, M. O’Connor opening up many movements to 'nrry play to the goalmouth. P. Harvie also showed speed and good command of the ball The Southland defence was actually the strongest section of their team Otago won. 15-10.

Otago C Grade v. South Otago. Again South Otago captured the Country Cup. The annual fixture, played last Saturday in Halelutha, although a very cniovable game, demonstrated (dearly that South Otago has advanced sufficiently to bo promoted from fourth grade to third, if not second. I'rom the opening of the game South Otago attacked and kept up the pressure throughout, playing expertly and finishing otf bright movements with excellent shots at goal. The strength of the South Otago side lay in the centre third, the three players having the advantage of height as well as speedier footwork, which gave them un-looked-for possession of the hall throughout the game. Consequently the Otago forwards enjoved fewer opportunities to score. The Otago defenders faced the brunt of the attack and are to be commended on their untiring efforts. South Otago won with the substantial margin of 21 goals to 7 The members of the Otago team wore hospitably entertained by members of the South Otago Sub-associa-tion and thoroughly enjoyed their day's outing tp the southern centre.