BASKETBALL

Evening Star, Issue 24002, 29 September 1941, Page 10

BASKETBALL

[By Dkfence.] Competition Winners. Fortunately, weather conditions were such oh September 20 that finality could bo reached m a number of the competitions, and the Fixture Sub-committee is now able to announce the championship winners for the 1941 season and the winners of the second grade and sectional winners of the oilier grades. Congratulations are extended to University and Albany on their success in the first grade, both teams winning their two games last week and thus retaining their posiions at the top of the championship tabic. Albany has enjoyed this success on a number of occasions during the last decade, but this is the first occasion that University has gained this honour for a considerable number of years. Consequently, Saturday was a proud day for the members of the team, who all played their part in bringing about this result. This was especially true last week, when every member of the team displayed great form and formed a strong link in the chain of (day. Undoubtedly the team possesses three outsanding players in J. Clayton (forward), M. Morton (centre), and ,T. 11‘Lean (defence), who are considered to he throe of New Zealand’s Lest, but M. Grant and J. Hattaway in tire forward third, J. Isdalo, J. Musgravo. and P. Haskcrville in the centre, and C. Sberwin and B. Aldrcd in the defence all gave them groat support. The challenge match for ihe Walker ami Hall Cup between the two team* will form a fitting climax to the season’s play. Play on Saturday, September 20. It was nil her unfortunate that Otago Girls’ High School was a very weakened combination on September 20, when the team had to meet Albany 1. Usually the School players' offer strong opposition to their opponents, and although so far they have not been able to defeat any of the top learns, they have forced the latter to put forth (heir best efforts to gain the victory. The School’s three strong centres, M. Stewart. J. Colquhoun, and J. Windsor, were all incapacitated last week, and this, of course, affected their play. I*. M'Causland moved from her forward' to a centre position, but even this could not give the third sufficient force to divert the play to the attacking area in any marked degree, so that with Albany playing on the top of form and the forwards shooting with great accuracy, the game was definitely in Albany’s favom from the opening whistle. The School players kept their opponents’ tally down to 10 in the second half, which was an improvement on the first half performance.

Training College was another team which struck true form only late in the afternoon. In its first game against Kiwi the latter side was definitely superior and early established a lead, the forwards, headed bv I Purdie, combining in many snappy movements. In fact, the whole team played a speedy game. College suffered from its long spell away from the game and found it diniciik to work up iis usual speed. The Kiwi defenders held flic advantage in this respect in that particular section of the court. D. Cnnlifi'e showed up to advantage in the College defence area and played an outstanding game. In its next game. College in the second half livened up considerably and forced the pace, making the closing stages of the game extremely interesting. Had it managed to equalise the score, Albany’s position as cochampion would have been lost. Albany's excellent play in the first half, however, proved of great value and the goals score, then gave it the victory. During this stage the Rods played most attractively, all three secions uniting to carry play to the goal area.

The games around winch most interest centred were those in which University participated. The Y.W.C.A.University game showed an evenness of .form in the first half, some bright exchanges lining witnessed. M. Grant opened (ho score, J. Hattawav and J. Clayton bringing the (ally to 4-0. .T. Iloydhouse then opened YAV.C.A.’s tally, and n clever throw-in resulted in a second goal being added a few seconds later. Even Play followed, with J. Roydhouso again finding (he ring. Play in (he centre was particularly bright, and clever interceptions weije frequent. M. Grant scored again for University, and E. Buchler for Y.W.C.A. The closing few minutes of the spell found Y.W.C.A. in a strong attacking position, with J. Ro.vdhotise adding three goals as against University s one. The half-time score was: A* W.C.A. 8, University 6. The second half showed University on the top of its form, strong defence, forceful centre play, and clever forward work resulting in the score mounting in its favour. Uuiver--ity equalised at 8 all, ami Y.W.C.A. at 9 all' and 10 all, but from this stage University was definitely on lop. the score of 16-11 being a fair indication of the merits of the teams on the day's play. The Kiwi-University game was, perhaps, the most exciting of the day’s encounters. Practically alternate scoring governed the play. All the girls played remarkably well, considering it was their second* hard match that afternoon, and splendid combined play was the order of the day. With the ere standing at 12 all ami only a minute to go the tension was acute, as University had to win the game in order to hold its position at the top of the ladder. Had the game resulted in a draw University’s statuwould have been altered. However. J. Clayion again found the ring, and the team were returning to the attack when time was called with University Hie victors and their championship position assured. Second Grade Final. A keeuly-anlieipnted game between high School Ex-girls and Kavensbonrne, the winners of sections 1. and lE, was also played at the park. It was expected that the game would be closely contested, and -uoh was the case. Both teams were on their i.rcs from the opening whistle, and both strove to dominate the play. However, Ex-Girls held the advantage in the first spoil, scoring three more goals than their opponents, the Bluc-and-White players opening up their play during this period very pleasingly. In the" second half, both teams covered their opponents very well, the defence in particular proving a strong factor in altering the (rend of play. J. Young (High School Ex-GirUl was outstanding, and played a particudarly attractive game. The final score was High School Ex-Girls 12, Ravensbourne 9, the former team thus gaining possession of the B grade trophy. Third Grade. Semi-finals had to bo played in two of the third grade sections, and, contrary to expectations, both were won with more than one or two goals to spare. In their two previous encounters Arthur Barnett’s had defeated A. and T. Inglis by the odd goal, but on this occasion, despite a score of 4 all at half-time, A. and T. Inglis ran out winners by 10 goals to 5. Another of the peculiarities of basketball. The other game, between Penrose’s and Taieri, resulted in a win for Penrose’s by -8 goals to 4. Here again (he teams were level at half-time, the score then rending 3 all. On the resumption of play good defence prohibited any goals being added for some time, but eventually Penrose’s found the ring and from that stage their success was assured. The two winners, Inglis and Penrose’s, agreed to play off later in the afternoon, and the game resulted in a fine exhibition, with Inglis lidding the laurels in the first half and Penrose’s in the second, the two teams scoring seven goals each in the opposite spells. Inglis eventually ran out winners by 11 goals to 9, and now will have to meet Eorbury Ex-Girls, the winners of section 111.