BASKET BALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21986, 22 June 1933, Page 5

BASKET BALL

By Watch. FIRST GRADE By defeating Albany II on Saturday, Ex-girls I have definitely shown their right to .premier position in the first grade competition. Unless the unforeseen should happen, Ex-girls should hold their position, and it will remain for Albany I and Albany II to contest second place. The match between Albany II and Exgirls I, which was looked forward to with keen interest by all followers of the game, proved difeappointing. As the final score, 18 —6, indicates, Ex-girls had a runaway victory, but they worked hard for their win. Ex-girls are now playing on the top of their form, and as a club team would be hard to beat anywhere in New Zealand. The team includes some tall girls, and these players make full use of their height during a match. On the other hand, Miss Sunderland, who has not this advantage of height, shows what can be done when a forward has to depend solely on accuracy and speed of movement. Albany also has some fine players in its team> and on Saturday they made full use of the height of the forwards. By varying the play they occasionally surprised the opponents’ defence by a long pass from Miss Mercer in the centre to Miss Haetie or Miss Adams under the goal. Over-eagerness sometimes made the throw too wide, and at other times Ex-girls’ defence was quick _to anticipate the movement. Determination, which as a deciding factor in the Albany I v. Albany II match, was not so evident on Saturday. The game was played on University Court, with Miss ”8: Foster as referee. The other first grade match was played between University arid Ex-girls 11, also on University Court, with Mr J. Breese ns referee. The game was a keen struggle from start to finish, with flashes of good passing marred by over-eagerness in the second half. The final score of 6 all was a good indication of the merits of the teams. The University centres were outstanding, handling, the ball in fine fashion and showing a combination through which their opponents could not pierce. As time drew near and the even score became known excitement ran high, especially when Ex-girls held the ball aiming at goal when time was called. The ball failed to find the ring, and the game ended a draw. SECOND GRADE A change has taken pace in the position of the top teams in second grade. The ladder now reads Roslyn 13 points, Albany and Caversham 12 points each. The competition in this grade has been very keen, and still holds promise of an exciting finish. The change was brought about on Saturday by the result of the Albany-Caversham match, in which Miss N. Stewart led the Caversham team to victory with the final score of 13 —9. The game drew a large number of spectators to Normal No. 1 court, and was an exciting tussle from start to finish. Much of the credit for the win must go to Caversham’s captain (Miss N. Stewart), who played an exceptionally fine game. This young player will surely be heard of again when representative trials take place. Roslyn had a runaway victory over Athletic, willing by 18 goals to 2. This now places Roslyn in the lead, but it has no points to spare. Roslyn team has some good players in Miss B. Knowles, L. Guthrie, H. Abbott, and E. Gillies. First had their'first victory on Saturday, defeating Tinopai by 13 —9. THIRD GRADE ' Musselburgh established a definite lead on Saturday by defeating Woolworths 0— 2. They are now four cup points in the lead. The game was played on College court, and was a fine exhibition of Third Grade basket ball. Musselburgh defence undoubtedly helped their side by making many fine saves from the opposing forwards. After Central's fine win last week, their defeat at the hands of North-East Valley by 11 —3 was very surprising. Mutual played well to defeat Blue Triangle 15 —8, and University had a comfortable win against First by 14—9.

FOURTH GRADE In the Fourth Grade the four top teams—Blue Triangle, Normal I, D.1.C., and Roslyn—are running a (very dose contest. All last Saturday’s winners had decisive victories, although Central did well to score 10. goals against D.l.C.’s 18. Normal I had not difficulty in defeating Normal 11, 14—5; RawhitP accounted for Gipsy, 14t—2; and Blue Bird scored 16 to Musselburgh’s 4. Roslyn and Wesley had a good game at Arthur street, the former team winning by 18—12. FIFTH GRADE A good game was played between Caversham and Blue Triangle at Forbury School, the former team winning by the odd game 16—15. This now places Blue Triangle and Caversham top, equal, with 12 cup points, Maori Hill following next with 10 points. Maori Hill had an easy win against Wesley 15 —2, and NorthEast Valley were also victorious, defeating Mosgiel by 11—2. REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURES Selectors are now busy in all grades sorting out all likely players for the trial practices which will be held at an early date. In the First Grade, the main event for the year, the Dominion tournament, does not take place till the middle of August. Another important match will probably take place in July, when Southland comes up for the annual match. The secretary has received a letter trom Oamaru inviting two teams, B and I < Grades, to play matches in Oamaru on August 5 or i2. The teams .are also invited to spend the week-end in North Otago. It will be remembered that last years B Grade match with North Otago proved most exciting, ending in a draw, 12 all. This match is played annually for the Taverner Cup, and this years result will, be watched with keen interest. In these grades also, matches will no doubt be arranged with South Otago, but no dates have as yet been fixed. FINANCE Writing of representative fixtures reminds one of the old problem of finance The Dance Stfb-committee is working hard to make the combined dance to be held in the Early Settlers’ Hall a most enjoyable and financially successful evening. " REFEREES’ ASSOCIATION At the last meeting of the Referees’ Association Miss I. Mercer, having duly passed the required practical and theoretical tests, was admitted to active membership of the association. Ihe HjXamining Committee will be kept busy again next week as two more names have been sent in as candidates for active membership. . Very interesting meetings are being held each Saturday after matches and the discussions bold are helpful to referees and players alike. The next two Saturdays will be taken up in revising points discussed at meetings held in 1931-32. Prior to next Saturday’s meeting, a short meeting of club secretaries is to be held to finalise the receipts from the concert. All tickets and money must be handed in by next Saturday, aud this gathering will allow secretaries to settle with Mr F. Bartlett, who has been in charge of tickets; INTERHOUSE BASKET BALL An enjoyable match was played between Redwings and Penrose’s.. Although Penrose’s final score was so much higher than Redwings, the play was good on both sides. Penrose’s are lucky in having good shoots. Miss Gould being particularly good in finding the ring from all parts of her third. The final score was Penrose’s 15, Redwings 6. The match between D.I.C. and College was very evenly contested, each team scoring alternately throughout the first half. The score was 8 all when the whistle blew for half time. The D.I.C. girls are quick on their feet, and make good interceptions. . College scored 2 goals and D.I.C. 4 in the second half, making the final score D.I.C. 12, College 10. The Moana team is playing a very good type of basket ball and considering it is its first season it is doing very well. In their match with Eagles they showed good

combination and quick passing. Eight goals were scored byi Moana and 2 by Eagles in the first half. Eagles played well in the -second half, and" although they did not score they prevented Moan* from scoring more than once. Great interest "was shown when Sargoods met Kia Ora. Neither of these teams had been beaten, but Kia Ora proved themselves the stronger by playing a keen, open game c with gjpod combination. Sar goods were inclined to fumble the ball, but considering this is their first season they are to be congratulated on their display. The match ended with the score: Kia Ora 12 and Sargoods 6. The following table shows the relative positions of the teams:— 1

P. w. L. Cup D. Ps. Kia Ora • - 7 7 — — 14 C.F.H. . • 6 « — 12 Sargoods ,, 6 5 1 —; 10 Penrose’s # # 6 5 1 — 10 Citizens • • 7 4 1 2 10 Moana , , 7 4 2 1 9 Defiance '■* * 7 4 3 — 8 Fern . • • 6 3 3 — 8 D.I.C. ''t *■ ’ 7 3 4 — 6 D.S.A. ■* • * * 6 2 3 1 6 Aotea „ m , , 6 2 3 1 5 Rovers • , , 6 2 4 — ' 4 College # , 7 2 5 — 4 Eagles v , , . 6 — 6 — Iona .. r„ % • . 5 — 6 Y.W.C.A. 1 — 1 —