BASKETBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22294, 21 June 1934, Page 5

BASKETBALL

By Attack. Contributions for this column, addressed to “Attack,” c/o Times Office, must be received not later than Tuesday of each week. FIXTURES July 28.—Southland v. Otago,, at Invercargill. Southland B Grade v. Otago B Grade, at Invercargill. August 20-August 25.—New Zealand Tournament, at Dunedin. The date for the -Southland and Otago fixtures has now been finalised (July 28), and so all prospective representative players should be in strictest training in case their services are required for the teams. Southland’s teams are sure to be strong once, and only fit players can successfully oppose strong teams. The games this year are being played in Invercargill. EVENING TOURNAMENT The tournament held last Thursday evening was an unqualified success, the only detrimental, feature being a rather dusty atmosphere. Repeated requests have been received to arrange a second one within a very abort time, and no doubt the requests will be acceded to. The tournament was controlled, by Mies R, Mackenzie, while the following acted in various capacities:-—Door atendants, Messrs S. E. Griffiths and D. May; timekeepers, Messrs E Sunderland and G. Roeeveare; scorers—Miss B, Salmond, Messrs P. M’Grath. J. Connor, and fa. Twose; referees —Mrs E. M’Aughtne, Misses R. Sunderland and R. Mackenzie, Messrs L. Gain, J. Breese, N. R. Hamilton, and F. Bartlett; line attendants— Misses P. Griffiths. M. Rea, I. Mercer, and J. Cupples. Three members of the St. John Ambulance Association were also in attendance during the evening, but fortunately their services were not required. . Some of the teams knocked, out in tne first round were rather . disappointed, although most of them realised the great enjoyment they would receive from watching their more successful opponents. Ine only drawback to a ‘ knock-out tournament is, of course, that some teams have only one opportunity of taking the field during the course of the. evening. With limited space, limited time, and a large number of entries, it is quite impossible to arrange another senes, of games for the losers. Otherwise, endeavours would have been made to have given everyone, at least, two games. The playing of. the tournament in two sections worked out very satisfactorily, and meant that there was less discrepancy between the opposing teams. It had been the intention to play off the winners of factions I and 11, but owine to limited time it was decided to declare the two teams joint winners. Albany I richly deserved its success, settling down to serious play whenever it was on the field each time the bell sounded. In section II Roslyn was most outstanding throughout, some, spectators prophesying its success at the end of the first round. This team played the best basketball in the section, and would have extended some of the teams in section I. In the men’s section some very close and some very one-sided games were witnessed. Both Athletic and Y.M. Gym won their games by large majorities in the first round, but both were defeated in the second, the games being very even. The final match played between Harriers and Battery I was very exciting, and the issue was in doubt until the last few minutes. Harriers must be congratulated on its win. The final score was 7—6. , With the exception of the top teams, the handicapping was very satisfactory, as is shown by the close scores of practically all the, games in the second section. In section I, in the first round, both Albany I and Ex-Girls’ I won their games by big majorities, and it was felt that even although games were only of a 10minute duration, an allowance of 10 goals should be made for the scratch team. However, when University met D.I.C. it was found that the handicapping was, perhaps, in the right ratio, as the latter team defeated the scratch one by two goals. Univereity was not able to field its regular team, but, nevertheless, D.I.C. played splendidly to net the winning two goals. In the final game between Albany I and Ex-Girls I, Albany obtained the advantage in the first half, and although Ex-Girls made every effort in the second half to equalise the score, the same finished with Albany hfcing one in the lead. In these games it is - most essential that teams strike form at the commencement of play: otherwise when playing a team of practically the same strength, it is impossible, to overcome the lead obtained by the opponents.' ' Miss May Collins, for Albany, was a tower of strength for her side, and played very attractive basketball. In the first half or tb‘c game between Roslyn and Normal (Section I) play was fairly scrappy. However, in the second half the Roslyn players settled down to their game and by their agility and accurate shooting forged ahead of their opponents, the bell ringing with the score standing at 'll-—6 in their favour. King Edward Foresters were perhaps the uuluckiest of the first-rounders. Their game against Ravens B ended in a draw, the score being 7 all. The game was to proceed till the first goal was shot, everyone expecting that to be accomplished in a few seconds’ time. However, one minute went bv, then two, three, four, and five—and still no score, the Foresters, however, attacking the greater part of the time. Ravens, also, had some unsuccessful shots at goal, and after about another minute’s play managed to net the ball, much to the relief of the officials controlling the game, as two teams were standing on the side line waiting to take the field. The game between Blue Triangle Cl and Gipsy also ended in a draw (score 3 all), the Triangle team, however, shooting the winning goal a few seconds afterwards. Tne Caversnam and Albany teams (Third Grade) were fairly evenly matched. Both started with a handicap of two and both had added one goal when the change over took place at half time, The shooting of the Caversham forwards /had not been very accurate while the Albany defence allowed very few second chances. Both sides added a goal at the beginning of the second half, the Albany players, however, having a

slight advantage during the remainder of the spell. The final score was 7— o in Albany’s favour. In the first round' St. John’s met Blue Triangle CII and at the, end of the game both sides had. four goals to its credit; St. John’s attacked first, but the ball was cleared by Triangle’s defence and sent to the forward third, Triangle being ‘successful with the shot at goal, St. John’s soon after evened the score, but in the second half the play, although both sides added another goal, the play was very scrappy, caused by bad handling of the ball. During the extra minute’s play, Triangle managed to score the winning goal. First met Roslyn for its first .game and although there was only one point’s difference in the handicaps, Roslyn proved victorious with the score standing at 11—3. Roslyn’s shoots were very sure and their field work was very good also. On the other hand, First had many unsuccessful shots at goal, while the combination of the team was not equal to that of Roslyn’s. In the second half. First’s play showed improvement, but the Roslyn team forged ahead to win by six goals.

The Rawliiti and Blue Triangle Fourth Grade teams were very evenly matched, and at half time the score remained as it was in the beginning. In the second half play was much keener, but owing to poor shooting neither team gained very much of an advantage. The Blue Triangle centres played a good, clean game, and sent the ball to the forwards without waste of time. Their passes, however, were inclined to be too long. SATURDAY’S GAMES Fourth Grade.- —Blue Triangle met and defeated St. John’s at Maori Hill School. The game was very close throughout, the final score being 15—9 in the former’s favour. Great improvement was shown in the forward third owing to the very accurate shooting of Miss Olive Robertson. An outstanding player in St. John’s team was Miss M. Anderson. The Blue Triangle game could be improved if the centres did not bunch. The strongest portion of the team was the defence, who kept to their girls gamely. First and Gipsy played a close and interesting game, the play in the first half being confined to First’s goal, but Gipsy kept scoring, and at half time both ‘teams were equal—seven all. First forged ahead at die beginning of the second half untij at one part they were four ahead. Gipsy improved and managed to bring the score up to 15 all. A great game ended with the score 16—15 in favour of First. . Fifth Grade. —North-East Valley proved the better team against Gipsy, and had the better of the game throughout. The final score was 13 —2 in favour of NorthEast Valley.