BASKETBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22964, 20 August 1936, Page 14

BASKETBALL

By Attack

August 21-29.—New Zealand tournament at Christchurch. September s.—Otago C. Grade v. West Otago, at Dunedin. Walker and Hall Challenge Match. Second and Third Grade tournament. September 12.—Fourth and Fifth Grade tournament. SOUTH OTAGO v. OTAGO C GRADE The 'annual fixture against South Otago was played in Balclutha last Saturday, the occasion being marked by the success of the former team, which thus gained possession of the " Country Cup " for the first time. Congratulations are extended to the southern team on its victory, and it is hoped that the future years will show a relative improvement in the standard of play, and that the teams there will one day be the equal of the local First Grade ones. The personnel of the teams participating in the game on Saturday was:— South Otago.—Shoots—A. Bell, G. Jury, D. Algie, M. Cuthbertson; centres —P. Middleditch, L. Scott, J. Fletcher, D. Lyall; defence—B. Mitchell (captain), J. Poynter, G. M'Kenzie, V. Cunliffe. Otago.—Forwards—Misses G. Ogg, L. Packer, M. Murray, A. Kay; centresMisses B. Neale, L. Douglas, M. Pope, B. Edwards; defence—Misses P. Chandler, F. Smail, A. Scofield, and V. Rutherford. South Otago took the threw-off and for the first few minutes the play passed rapidly up and down the field, the score mounting evenly until Otago led by 4 goals to 3. At this stage of the game P. Middleditch (South Otago) injured her wrist, her place being taken by V. Cunliffe. Good defensive work by members of both teams characterised this stage .of the game. The South Otago forwards were rather slow in handling, while the Otago forwards also lost many opportunities through inaccurate shooting. The score reached 5-all, but from then until half-time was called, South Otago held the ascendancy and added three more goals. The second half showed .great improvement in the play, the Otago centres and defenders doing excellent work. Although the field work of the forwards was also of a high standard, the shooting was again inaccurate, many easy shots at goal being missed. On the other hand, the South Otago forwards added four more goals, making the score 12—5 in its favour. Otago again controlled the play adding three goals, making the score 12—8. Play then passed up and down the field, both teams adding another goal each. Time was called with the score standing at 13—9 in South Otago's favour. The passing throughout was of a high standard, B Neill (Otago) and D. Algie (South Otago) being outstanding. NEW ZEALAND TOURNAMENT The competition for the New Zealand Cup becomes harder each year (says "Ring" in the Evening Post), and reports on the improving standard indicate that Wellington will have a hard task to retain the cup, which they have held for two years. : Detailed news already received shows Canterbury and Southland to be strong challengers this year, with Auckland always giving an excellent display, and Otago, runners-up last year, to be expected to give a good account of themselves. Southland are fielding nine of their 10 players who played in the 1935 tournament, and when it is remembered that Wellington just managed to beat them by one goal, the local supporters will await with interest the Wellington-Southland match. This year, also, Southland are taking the precaution of sending their full complement of 12 players. Last year they found it a handicap to have but one emergency. Canterbury reports that six of last year's players will be taking the field next month, namely, G. Gluestin (forward), F. Southan, V. Flood. G. Winter (centres), J. Hunter and M. Fancy (defence), R. Stephenson, ex-Poverty Bay and Auckland representative, strengthening the defence, third. Their unorthodox style of play—long passing and forceful intercepting by high jumps, is usually disconcerting at first, and their strength is under-estimated as a result. In the past, their forwards have been renowned for their spectacular long shots. Auckland have high hopes of? regaining their supremacy, and although no definite word has been received, it is expected that their team this year will be stronger than that of 1935. Otago hopes to accomplish more than " give a good account of itself " at the forthcoming tournament, and will do its utmost to retain at least the Annie Brown Cup, the trophy which is presented to the runners-up, making every effort, of course, again to wrest the coveted New Zealand title. When half time was called in the Southland-Otago game it was felt that the teams were very evenly matched; but in the second half lack of general ] fitness of the Otago players had a detrimental effect on their play, and Southland was thus able to hold the ascendancy. As the players have trained assiduously since then, however, it is expected that this defect will be remedied and that the teams will be able to produce its best in every game. . Seven entries have been received for the First Grade tournament, Auckland, Hawke's Bay. Waikato, Wellington, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland. The Second Grade has been divided into two sections, six in one and five in the other. Section 1 includes South Canterbury, Hutt Valley, Wanganui, Otago Minor, West Coast, and Bush. Section 2 includes South-, land, Ash burton, Marlborough, Wellington West and Taranaki. Southland Minor and South Canterbury tied for first place last year, with Ashburton runners-up. and Hutt Valley not far behind. Marlborough and Taranaki

have shown steady improvement these last few years, and the Second Grade tournament should- show a much higher standard of play this year. • .-,.' In the First Grade, Wellington hold the New Zealand Cup, and the "Annie Brown " Cup for the runners-up is held by Otago. The holders of these trophies always play each other in the last match of the tournament, so that these two teams will meet on the Saturday afternoon. In the Minor Grade, the winner and runner-up in both sections will play.,, off in a Yankee tournament in order .' to decide the winners of the President's Shield and the Hayhurst Clip. Prior to the tournament the annual '' meetings of • both the New Zealand Referees' Association and the council of the N.Z.B.A. will be held. : .v ; OTAGO MINOR TEAM < As the North Otago team has been chosen to play as the Otago minor representative team in the New Zealand '."•■' tournament, the following notes on the *:• players selected may be of interest.*'-' - The forwards include two , Highv School players, who combine very well! but the' selectors are at the. moment.. ~ perturbed at an injury to one'of them. ; It is hoped that this will hot prevent ,'r her from playing in Christchurch. ~* Muriel Carrad (High School) was' ' emergency in the North ..Otago: team .'•. in 1934. . Her field work is good, andher. long arms gather in many balls, which might otherwise go duVof bounds. Her shooting is usually' very.'', 3ccutriit(? ' ■' 't~ ' "** Ruth Ireland (the High School cap;','' tain) shows up well in field work, arid is a hard-working player who uses her head and shoots well. Helen Webster (Oamaru) is an experienced player who, though not spectacular, is very dependable. -■<,.'ojf Audrey M'Kenzie (Oamaru), wheri playing her best is probably the best shot of the four. ' . :,',.' Ina Hayes (Oamaru) is one of the ~' most experienced players in the team, , having represented North Otago since..- . 1933. She is a tireless player, with excellent defensive qualities. *• ' Elizabeth Peterson (Oamaru), who has a similar style to Miss Hayes,, is a defence player who has recently, changed thirds, and has certainly found the right one. Joyce Fraser (Oamaru) plays well as . centre, and gets her pass avay well. ~ Olive Edwards (Oamaru) intercepts well, and combines well with the other players. ,'."..". All the centres seem to regard.at-, tack as the best form of defence, and perhaps rather too often find them*, selves separated from their partners •" The defenders are probably the strongest combination. Cora Minty (Star), who is representing North Otago for the fourth I year, can be depended on to show her <■ best form in the tightest corner. •-• i< Mary Faulkner (High School) is a ' young player with an excellent idea A << of the defensive game. Her useful height is combined with quickness in field work. ; ,i Dorothea Thomson (High School) played for North Otago in the 1934 tournament. She makes good use of her height in preventing second shots at goal, and is- quick at intercepting. ~ Shirley Colclough (Star) is a hardworking defence, who is quick to pro- : fit by the mistakes of her opponents, and works well to get the ball clear.