BASKETBALL.

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 June 1936, Page 11

BASKETBALL.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. If a complete second round was embarked upon, there would be no allowance made for postponements oi for extra matches. Therefore, it has been decided by the executive that each grade be divided into two sections, section 1 to consist of the first four teams, and section 2 of the remaining ones. This arrangement, while making it practicable to complete all games, will also provide even and interesting matches. It was cold at McGinley Park on Saturday, this fact being largely responsible for the disappointing standard. Players simply could not get warm, and so the handling was unusually faulty. Technical O.G.A. v. Convent O.G.A. —This game did not reproduce the •high standard reached when these two teams met in the first round. On that occasion, Convent O.G. lost by the narrow' margin of 14 goals to 12, and the second meeting was looked forward t> keenly. The first spell was closely contested, but Technical O.G. was the superior team in the second spell, and ran out easy winners. The Technical fonvard combination is improving with every game. It is in the centre base, however, that their superiority is marked. B. Tennent is playing better than ever, and is ably supported by J. Greenhill and P. Paterson. The defence is also much improved, players having learnt to some extent the art of interception. Convent O.G. centres, usually reliable, were the in the team. C. Close was inclined to hold the ball too long, while N. Nesbitt still clings to the line. The forwards, who were a sparkling combination at the beginning of the season, seem to have lost their dash. E. Hannan, playing for the A team for the first time as defender, was impressive, her intercepting, passing and jumping being of a high order. E. Rohloff played one of her best games to date. Runanga A easily accounted for Runanga B, and their forthcoming fixtures against Convent O.G. A and Technical O.G. A should be worth seeing. In section 2, two teams secured their first wins. Blaketown, playing two short against Technical O.G. B, were helped rather than handicapped by the extreme cold, for they were forced to work so hard that they became thoroughly warmed up, and towards the end they were playing with great vim. Blaketown’s win was very popular, as they play an attractive game, and are so often at a disadvantage owing to a shortage of players?! St. Mary’s A turned the tables on Technical A, winning by 13 goals to 9. Neither of these teams is at last year’s strength, but both contain promising material. In the B grade, Taylorville were defeated by the bigger United team. The Taylorville team plays an attractive game, and many of their players make up for their lack of size by quickness and! redaurcefUlness. In another interesting game, Convent O.G. B defeated Runanga Convent O.G. In section 2, Grey Main O.G. were successful against United B, while St. Mary’s B defeated Runanga C. There are 21 entries for the King’s l Birthday Yankee tournament, and Taylorville is the only club not represented. The tournament will commence at 10 a.m., all A grade matches and one B grade section at McGinley Park, the other two B grade sections at the Convent. In the afternoon all games will be at McGinley Park. The march past will again be a feature of the day> proceedings. This tournament is always one of the most enjoyable events of the season. It was reported at the last meeting of the executive that the number of registered players now totalled 285. This is most satisfactory, and it is encouraging to see the game gaining in popularity. Representative practices are being held regularly. The eighteen players are very keen, and are showing form which will make the final selection very difficult.

has plenty of speed, and is tricky with the ball. The Reserves: Parkinson (W) reserve back is a solid type of player, and was unlucky not to gain selection. Cowan (T) reserve half, had serious contenders for his position, but his capacity for hard work and his knowledge of positional play earned him selection.

White (R) reserve forward, was unlucky not to make the team. He is a good type of player, though perhaps on the small side. ' Taken throughout the team should give a good account of itself. Nearly half of the players selected will be donning representative jerseys for the first time, but if they reproduce club form and play as a team, adapting themselves to the positions for which they have been selected, they will have little to- fear.

Cup Final Retorts At the Cup Final a friend of mine sat just behind an enthusiastic bhelfield United supporter (writes ‘Peterborough,” in the London ‘Daily Telegraph”). Every time throughout the game that the Arsenal made an attack this gentleman shouted sarcastic remarks regarding the financial value of their players. From being a £70,000 team the Arsenal’s value gradually rose to millions. Finally when the whistle went, he announced in a loud voice, “Beaten one-love by Barclays Bank!” .