BASKETBALL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 161, 9 June 1939, Page 3

BASKETBALL.

Y.M.C.A. CHAMPIONS!] IBS. PALMERSTON NORTH SUCCESS. The New Zealand Y.M.C.A. indoor 1 basketball championships for both Indies and men were playetl in the Wellington Y.M.C.A. last weekend. Entries were received from Auckland, Waikato Wairnrnpn, .Palmerston North, Wellington, llutt Valley. Nelson, Canterbury, and Otago, a total of ten men’s teams and eight ladies; the pick of the basketball teams over the whole Dominion. Play commenced at 10 a.in. on Saturday and continued without a break until 10 p.m. On Monday at 9 a.m. tbe whistle wont for the second day’s play to start, and at 5.30 p.m. Hie final game was decided. In till a total of 73 games were contested over a playing period of 20] hours. 'l’lie competition was based upon every team meeting every other team, and the competitors undoubtedly felt the stress and strain of the hardfought games; it was a test of real physical lit ness. The organisation of the championship meeting left nothing to he desired, the games being played without a hitch. To those who have a dint understanding of the game ol indoor basketball a peep into the Wellington Y.M.C.A. gymnasium would have been it revelation. Here one could ■see team work at its best. lightning combined movements that brought the • spectators to their feet in excitement. No competitors unless physically tit has a hope to keep up with the pace its set by these champion teams as seen at tlt is tournament. The ladies’ team’s which represented the Y.-M.C.A. of Palmersto.u North were composed of the following players:—A team: Misses J. Clevely (captain). At. Cosslett. O. Zeiuert, A. Gardner, T. Koehler, with B. Mason and J. Christian as substitutes. B. leant. Misses R. Young (captain), J. Kmithers. At. Wilson. I). Kingsbcer, F. Sowerbv, with F. Dalgleish a.ml I). Hawkins substitutes. Both played in all seven matches, the A combination winning all their games, thus annexing Hie championship cup. and with it the honour of being tbe indoor ladies’ basket- ball champion team for the Dot'inion. This team was a popular combination during tbe whole tournament, playing a clean, fast and scientific game throughout that finally brought litem victory. The ladies’ B team whilst not winning all their games gave a tine exhibition and gained considerable experience. In the men’s section two teams were also entered by Hie Palmerston North Y.M.C.A. A team- 11. Harvey (captain), (’. AlcMinn. A)'. H. Allan, N. Rees,’ H. Lung, with A. Leader and G. Griggs substitutes. B team: K. Metcalfe (captain), W. Cronin, F. King. V. Rahone, R. Goekburn, with N. Metcalfe and R. Sullivan substitutes. Doth teams played nine matches, the A team winning seven, drawing one. and losing one, and were placed runners-up lo the champions. the Wellington Y.ALC.A. leant.] The game Palmerston North men’s team v. Wellington was the deciding factor its to which team would prove champions for 1939-40. This contest drew it large gallery of spectators, and the excitement was intense when these splendid players took, the floor. The game proved right up to expectations, both were “on their toes,” and a’ thrilling contest of attack. 1 counter-attack, clever team work, and speedy play gave the spectators _ a thrilling exhibition of basketball at its best. The game was in doubt up to the iiiuil whistle, when the AYcllingtott team proved victorious by 25 to 22. The B men’s team won four and lost live matches, which is a splendid ' record playing against the A teams of other provinces. In all their games they showed a thorough knowledge of tiie" sport, and the experience gained by playing in the championships against the best teams in New Zealand will be reflected in the standard of play shown by them in the future.