BASKETBALL

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 August 1934, Page 2

BASKETBALL

dominion tournament. (Contributed). There was only one cause for regret during the tournament in Dunedin last week—that it was not possible for all basketball players and all interested in the game to be pre-' sent. They would have been amazed, as we were, at the fitness of the players, the swift accurate passing, and sure goal throwing. The West Coast team soon realised its limitations and set itself out to benefit as much as possible from the opportunity of seeing the best of New Zealand’s teams in action. It was very encouraging to see Coast’s improvement in the latter games. For instance, in the last game against Wairarapa, Coast, though nine goals behind at halftime, lost by a margin of ten goals.

Large crowds were present every day, but the number present on the final day would have done credit to a Seddon Shield football match. They were rewarded by sparkling exhibitions of basketball, in the Wellington v. Auckland, Otago v. Canterbury, and North Island v. South Island matches.

The opening ceremony (from “Otago Daily Times”).—Before the arrival of the Vice-regal party, the various teams assembled and formed a guard of honour at the entrance to the main court, where the opening ceremony was held. The girls then marched two abreast round the court, and drew up in well-ordered lines before the dais. The girls, attired in their neat uniforms, marched past with the precision of soldiers on parade. This portion of the function was decidedly impressive, and reflected considerable credit on the girls and organisers alike. The Governor-General, who was accompanied by Lady Bledisloe, was welcomed to the tournament by Mrs AV. B. Taverner, President of the Otago Association, who expressed the Association’s appreciation of his presence at the opening. His Excellency briefly outlined the growth of basketball in New Zealand, and concluded by wishing the tournament all possible success, and said he hoped the best team would win.

Reports of West Coast matches, from “Otago Daily Tinier”: — West Coast v. AVellington Minor: — Wellington Minor won a well-contest-ed game against- West Coast by 25 points to 14, a fast and interesting display being given by both teams. Wellington led by 13 to 7 at half time goals for AVellington being scored by Z. Chennellsi (6), J. Burns (5) and H. Dixon (2), and for West Coast, M. Saxon (3), M. Price (2) and H. Ridland found the basket. In the second half Miss Burns scored 7 goals for AVellington. Miss Chennells 3 and Miss Dixon 2. Coast’s scorersi in tho second spell were Miss Ridland (3), Miss Price and Miss Saxon (2 each). AVellington showed superior combination, Misses Cooke, O. Pope and Z. Chennells being conspicuous for good play. The Coast goal-throwers were very sure, M. Price playing an outstanding game. AVest Coast v. Marlborough: Marlborough had little difficulty in scoring a decided victory over AVest Coast by 27 goals to 4. For Marlborough, N. Douglas scored 18 goals, M. Glesso.n 4, and E. Gifford 3, and for West Coast M. Saxon (3) and M. Price secured the goals. Marlborough gained an early lead, superiority in passing and combination accounting for the margin of nine goals at half-time. In the first minute of the second spell, Marlborough scored, and almost immed'ately after AA’est Coast added a goal. Fast passing among the Marlborough forwards saw the West Coast’s shooting third invaded and several goals resulted. The closing stages of the game were well contested, but the AVest Coast players were unable to improve their position. AVest Coast v. Poverty Bay: Due to strong defence, the Poverty Bay v. West Coast encounter was not a high scoring one, but the Bay team showed the better attacking work to emerge winners- by 13 to 5. M. Thompson (5), 5. Dodd (3), and L. Byrne (5) netted lor the Bay, while H. Ridland (3), M. Price (1) and M. Saxon (1) were successful for the losers. Field work of a high order, aided by a strong defence, gave Poverty Bay a substantial lead in the first ten minutes of play, which was very fast, both sides indulging in nippy passing. The Bay made several incursions into AVest Coast’s territory, M. Thompson netting two goals in quick succession, but Coast came back quickly into the shooting third, where M. Price found the basket with a quick shot. The half-time -score was Poverty Bay 8, AVest Coast 2. On resumption, Poverty Bay netted three successive goals. Shortly after Coast spurted, but could not overtake the Bay’s tally. AVest Coast v. Ashburton: Ashburton was too strong for the Coast team. Ashburton showed superiority in the first fetv minutes of the game, when several goals were scored as the result of the Coast’s poor positional play. Coast rallied towards the end of the spell, when two goals stood to its credit, but after the resumption, Ashburton clapped on the .pace, their position play being a feature of the game, which ended: Ashburton 21, AA r est Coast 9.

West Coast v. Wairarapa: Except for a brief period in the second spell. West Coast failed to reproduce its form, and Wairarapa maintained an early lead, to win by 23 goals to 13. Wairarapa quickly took the lead from the opening whistle, overshadowing West Coast completely, the shootingbeing' accurate, and the defence excellent. The half-time score was: Wairarapa. 12, "West Coast 3. West Coast’s shooting underwent a rapid improvement in the second spell, M. Price netting' throe goals. Wairarapa then came away in a concerted movement, the forwards combining nicely with the centres to take the ball to the net, where P. Kilminster scored, to make the score 18 to 10 in Wairarapa’s favour. A period of desultory play, noticeable for chances of netting being lost, was broken by O. Long securing two goals, to put her side well in the lead. Coast’s efforts were being stemmed by good defence. Towards the end of tho game, Wairarapa was never extended, the pace being too much for Coast.

VALUABLE EXPERIENCE. The experience gained from the tournament is inestimable. Next year, when the tournament is held in Wellington, there will be many strong bids for representative honours, as this season has brought to light several promising players. The team this year, although beaten in every game, acquitted itself quite creditably, and is encouraged by Marlborough’s record. Marlborough, in its six years of tournament play, met its first success last

year, and this year carried off tho Mayhurst Cup, for the runners-up in the Minor Grade. The Arctic weather conditions were more than compensated for by the warmth of Dunedin’s hospitality. The Otago Association’s deserving of the utmost praise for its wonderful organisation, and the lavish entertainment provided for the visitors. Teams were welcomed at a social in the Town Hall on Wednesday night. There was a picture party on Thursday evening. After “doing” the shops on Friday night, visitors were entertained at supper. At the main social event of the tournament, the dinner at which the trophies were presented, there were over three hundred present. The dance which followed, was another very successful function. On Sunday afternoon, about 50 cars took the visitors a most enjoyable drive round the city and its environs. After tea, which was also provided by the Otago Association, most of the visitors attended First Church. The team has returned with renewed enthusiasm, anxious to put into practice the many points which they have learnt.