BASKETBALL NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20701, 26 April 1929, Page 7

BASKETBALL NOTES.

By Alpha.

The annual meeting of the Otago Basketball Union was held on April 11, Mrs R. S. Black was in the chair. The annual report showed that there had been a very, active and vigorous season last winter, and the balance sheet showed a small credit balance, Mrs W. B. Taverner was re-elected president, while to the list of vice-presidents were added the names of Miss E. A, Barrowelough and Mr S. G. Macfarlanc. The season wag opened on Saturday last in ideal basketball weather. In spite of the fact that it was only the opening day, there was some good play witnessed, especially in the upper grades. Prospects for the season are good. Seven A teams, six BI teams, six B II teams, thirteen Cl, and thirteen Oil have entered, and even the first day’s matches show that there will be keen competition. It is regretted that two teams, Toi Toi in the A Grade and In'icta in the JB Grade, have dropped out, but the circumstances made the defections quite unavoidable, while new clubs and teams under the names Collegiate (A Grade), Pirates- (Bl and Cl Grades), Whitcombe and Tombs (Cl and CI1), and Gypsy bare been .formed, and have commenced play. A Grade matches arc reported as follows Albany v. Training College.—This provided the best game of the day, and ended in a victory for Albany by 14 goals to 10. College began each spell with two successful shots before their oppon ents had scored at ail, but could not maintain the pressure. College shoots, with the exception of Miss Cattanach, were not at the top of their form, while Albany, and notably among them Miss Marslin, were in the best of trim, Albany’s jumping centre did very well against Training Colleges new centre (Miss Johnston, of-Auckland), and altogether the team is to congratulated on their fine showing. Miss M. A. Mackenzie was referee. University II v. College ll.—This game provided a better exhibition of friendly rivalry than of A Grade basketball. Both teams had intervals of good play, and the game was interesting to watch, but not enough energy was displayed, and a . notable fault was lack of judgment as to, who to pass to.. The final scores were:—College 13, University 9. Mr J. Brcese was referee. Collegiate v. University I.—lf any team Is really fit and ready University I is, and it has the University Easter Tournament to thank for that. Collegiate, a new team in the competition, composed almost wholly of cx-Training College players, entered “A ” much to the surprise ot those familiar with then personnel,, but on their first inatch day gave a very good account of themselves against a very strong team. The shoots are specially to be commended for a goo I game against University’s splendid defences, while Collegiate’s defences, too, fought with much success against ’Varsity’s attack. The score finally read i—’Varsity 11, Collegiate 3. Mr S. G. Macfarlanc was referee. The only other matches of which reports have reached me arc:— Kowhai, last-year’s cup winners, had an easy win against Pirates (a new team) on the George Street School court. The display given by Kowhai was very promising—each section was in readiness for the play of other sections, and if Pirates had had a similar understanding the results . would have been much nearer. There was no approach to rough play in the whole game, though most were very keen. Kowhai would do well to abandon the long high pass. Pirates’ beat player last Saturday was a diminutive lass at side centre whose name is not yet known to the writer.

Blue Triangle I v. Tinopai resulted in a win for the latter team. Play generally was .haphazard, and individual rather than concerted play was the order of the day. However, both teams show promise.

Blue Triangle I (B I Grade) met Waimana for the first match of the season. The teams are old rivals, and the play was close and even, hut not, bn the whole, of a very high standard. Triangle centres and Waimana defence were the. best sections of the respective teams. The match was a narrow .win for Triangle (four to three). UNIVERSITY TOURNAMENT. At this annual fixture basket ball has now a sure place, with Targe attendances and lively barracking. In the first round of matches Canterbury was drawn against: Auckland and Otago . against Wellington {Victoria College). The winners were Auckland and Otago, between whom the final was fought out. Otago University team were Attacks —Misses Cattanach, Wilson, and Logan ; centres—Misses Webb, Fleming, and Barrowclough; defences—Misses Brownlee, Henderson, and Stevens. The opening minutes were very even, indeed, Otago notched two goals before Auckland began to score. Then the northern team evened up, and for a long time Otago were on the, defensive. Scores came—Auckland one, then Otago one, and the South Islanders fought hard to get ahead. Auckland then drew ahead, but Otago retaliated, and the first spell ended: Auckland 6, Otago 5. In the second- spell 'Otago again attacked from the'jump, and scored first. Soon, however, Auckland were constantly taking the initiative, and with more accurate shooting than Otago’s built up their score till. the final, tally road: Auckland 12, Otago 0. GENERAL NOTES. Referees complain, and rightly, that it is very difficult for them to control a game when players do not air wear their club colours.’ Caps are best, but failing them, distinctive ties or belts, or both, should be worn by all players. Miss Barrowclough, who played for Training College for,two years, and then for University for three, has decided to make room for those coming on. After captaining the Otago University teamat Christchurch, Miss Barrowclough resigned her place. She has always been a keen and skilful centre, and deserves well of, both her old clubs.

Secretaries of clubs are -reminded that communications for this column should reach “Alpha,” c/o Training College, by Tuesday morning’s post at the latest.