BASKET BALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21998, 6 July 1933, Page 13

BASKET BALL

By Watch. i FIRST GRADE Interest now seems to be centring round the announcements made by the selectors of the representative teams. The task placed upon the selectors of die First Grade team is less severe than that of selectors of other grades, in that there are only live teams to be watched and all teams play on the one court each Saturday. The final selection of 12 players will, however, be a hard one. Six of last year’s team arc taking part in the trials, and these should make a good foundation on which to build the new team. In the defence third the selectors have some excellent material to work on. It is not likely that Miss J. Sutherland and Miss Thompson will bo passed over, but the choosing of the other two will require much thought. In the centrethird, also, there is very good material. Possibly the choosing of the fourth player will give the greatest difficulty. Among the forwards Miss C’upples stands alone as representing last year’s victorious team. Miss N. M'Lean will be hard to beat as second choice,, but there should be keen contest for the other two places. Although a very outstanding player, Miss Guppies is not the easiest person to combine with, and this might possibly give her clubmates a slight advantage. Players are reminded that they are chosen not only on the merits of their play in club matches; they must be able to adapt themselves to new environment, to link up a combination with strange players, and, above all, to be very lit. Of the two First Grade matches played last week, the Albany I v. Albany II was by far the better game. It will be remembered that when these teams met in the first round, No. 2 team defeated No. 1. The contest, therefore, on Saturday was a very keen one, and drew a large number of spectators. The game, played on University court and controlled by Miss K. Mackenzie, opened at a very high speed. That the game continued at this fast pace speaks well for the general fitness of the players. Making sure that the result of the first round should not be repeated, No. 1 team worked hard to establish a good lead. By half time the score stood at 10 —5 in their favour. Consultation at half time evidently led to the improved play of the seconds on resumption. The defence in particular are to be praised for their splendid work. There is no doubt that they did much towards keeping down their opponents’ score. Some brilliant movements were seen in the centre-third, where each side worked hard to feed their forwards. No. 1 team continued to keep the lead, although at times the seconds were perilously close behind. ■ The game ended 15 —11 in favour of Albany I. The other game, Ex-Girls I v. ExGirls 11, was played on University court with Miss S. Foster as referee. In spite of a runaway victory for the first team a fine spirit and friendly element prevailed throughout the game. There is no doubt that the excellent combination and accuracy of shooting in No. 1 team gave them their supremacy. By half lime they had established a lead of 11 —1. For the second team, the centres’ play well and the defence had a very hard game, but the forwards failed often to find the ring. The score crept up until it stood at 25 —4 in favour of Ex-Girls I. SECOND GRADE Selectors are having a very busy time choosing possible players from 19 Second and Third Grade teams. A hasty selection was made from teams already viewed in order that a practice might be held last Saturday. Other names are to be added later. Judging by the list, the defenders are well in the majority, and good centres and forwards not so plentiful. It is very unfortunate that three of the most likely “ Probables ” are now not able to play. Miss C. Grace (Albany) has received another injury to her knee, and will not be able to play any more this season. The vacancy thus left in her club team will be very bard <b fill, for both as a player and friend Miss Grace was admired by all. It is to be hoped that Miss Grace will carry on her work as a referee. Another unfortunate player is Miss Edna Helmkey (Rawhiti), who met with a serious motor accident. Miss Helmkey was a very likely forward for the B Grade team. Her absence from Rawhiti on Saturday was very noticeable. Miss D. Turner (Rawhiti) suffered a sprained ankle while playing on Saturday. It is not yet known whether or not the injury is of a serious nature. Miss Turner is a very promising defender, and it is to be hoped that she will yet have a chance to win a place in the representative team. The results of Saturday’s matches show some very close games. Albany again had a draw, this time with University, 6 all. Athletic and Rawhiti had a very close struggle, the former team winning by the odd game, 11 —10. Two decisive victories . were shown by Caversbam against First 25—11, and Roslyn against Maori Hill 21 —10. In the Third Grade, Woolworths defeated Blue Triangle B—6,8 —6, and Mutual defeated First 11—5. FOURTH GRADE In the Fourth Grade, also, select, vs are having a very busy time giving all of the 20 teams in Fourth and Fifth Grades a chance for C Grade representative' honours. The largest score for the day was shown on the card sent iu from the Roslyn-Tinopai match, in which the former was victorious by 36—15. Other good scores were:—Blue Bird 21, Central 13; D.I.C. 19, Rawhiti 7; Normal I 16, Blue Triangle 7. Wesley and Gipsy had a good game, the former winning by 14 — 12. Musselburgh defeated Normal II B—s. FIFTH GRADE St. John’s had another win on Saturday, defeating Mosgiel 15 —0. Maori Hill defeated North-East Valley 16 —10, and Blue Triangle accounted for Gipsy 15 —5. LOCAL TOURNAMENTS The First Grad’e tournament will probably be played at the University court on July 15. It is customary for matches in other grades to be held over on that clay. If so, players taking part in representative trials are urged to take advantage of watching more experienced players. The lower grade tournament will probably not take place until August. REFEREES’ ASSOCIATION Owing to the absence of some members ami the heavy programme placed on others, no meeting of the Referees’ Association was held on Saturday. Owing to the trials practices being held after matches, it is hard for referees to meet by 4.30 p.m. It is hoped that there will be a full meeting next Saturday. The far-reaching effects of the association were demonstrated last week, when correspondence was received from Winchester asking for a ruling on a given point. The association is only too willing to give advice to any country district so desiring it, as only in this way may the interests of basket ball be fostered. INTERHOUSE COMPETITION The final score of 5 —3 in favour of Moana in their match against C.F.H. was mostly due to Moana’s splendid defence. The C.F.H. centres were good. Had the defence been stronger, this team’s score would have shown to bettor advantage. Quick passing and good combination were displayed by both teams. One can always depend on Penrose’s to play an open and sporting game. All teams enjoy playing against this team. It would bo advisable to nip in the bud the tendency to ovcr-defentl with arms. Their match with Aotea commenced with a goal for the latter. The play was very even throughout the first half, which ended with Aotea having 8 goals and Penrose's 7. In the second half Aotea seemed to tire, and Penrose’s wore able to score six times, bringing the final score to; Penrose’s 13, Aotea 10. The Cqllege-D.S.A. game was a very fast and interesting one. During the first spe’l College showed superiority in all departments, the score at half time being 7 —l in their favour. The second half saw some very fast movements, with D.S.A. netting a few more goals, but they could not withstand College’s final attaek. The final score was 12—8 for College. R. Newsome played a good game for the winners and the centres for D.S.A.