BASKETBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23527, 16 June 1938, Page 5

BASKETBALL

By “Attack" ‘.‘Attack” invites all those interested in basketball activities to forward contributions for insertion in this column. All contributions, addressed Attack, Times Office, must reach this office not later than Tuesday of each week SATURDAY’S GAMES Only First Grade games were played last week, this being possible only by the excellent indoor accommodation available. The game which affected mostly the position of teams in the competition table was that played between J. R. McKenzies and Y.W.C.A. It had been anticipated that both teams would produce a standard of a fairly even nature, the results justifying the expectations. Scoring was high, and, except for a lead which McKenzies obtained during one stage of the game, was very even. Bright movements were staged throughout, and brilliant interceptions were the order of the day. Outstanding for J. R. McKenzies was Anne Reidy, its indefatigable defender, and Thelma Morrison, centre. For Y.W.C.A., Edna Buchler was very prominent, her speedy movements and excellent handling being very noteworthy. J. R. McKenzies is to be congratulated on its victory. v Another game which was classed as one of the very best witnessed this year was that played between Otago Girls’ High School and University. The scoring in this game was very low, a contrast to that of the. previous game, the School team registering victory by 7 goals to 5. The O.G.H.S. team combined excellently, and indulged in crisp passing movements which at times were sparkling, these very often originating in good clearing movements on the part of the defenders. The University defence also played a very strong game, and broke down many dangerous-looking movements. Roslyn, of course, won its game by a big margin, the forwards potting goals at almost every opportunity offered. Albany II and Training College, II both played surprisingly well against the fast Training College I and Albany I teams respectively. Both games brought out hidden qualities in a number of the junior players. SOUTHLAND TOURNAMENT The annual tournament on the King’s Birthday at Invercargill loses none of its popularity, and the courts at Duke street were a colourful spectacle all day Monday, when teams from all parts of the province tried conclusions (says “Defence” in the Southland Times). It was certainly a day out for the country teams, who won four of the five trophies competed for Some very good exhibitions of the game were seen. Things went smoothly throughout, apd the section games were finished in time for all finals to be played on the centre court, so that spectators had a chance of seeing all'grades. Of the 79 teams participating. 54 were from country districts. In the First Grade, Rata and Collegiate gave a good display, the formei winning by five goals to three. It is a pity that Rovers (Winton) did not enter in this grade. It came through the Second Grade without a defeat, then beat Makarewa by eight goals to four in the semi-final and Stewarts by 13 to three in the final. Makarewa and Stuarts are the leading town Second Grade teams, Makarewa being as yet unbeaten and Stuarts holding second place. The Rovers’ combination was definitely superior to both and though it is unlikely it would have beaten Rata and Collegiate First Grade teams, the experience would have been invaluable to the players. Three sub-associations were represented by the semi-finalists of the Third Grade—Nightcaps, Browns, Spar Bush and Pukemaori. Central supplied the finalists in Browns and Spar Bush, who fought out a closely-contested game, Browns being the winner. The whole of the Fourth Grade section was played in the Drill Hall, and section winners again represented various sub-associations McKenzie's (Gore), Dipton, Albion (Gore), Mataura Island, and Seaward Downs. Albion defeated Dipton, Seaward Downs defeated Mataura Island, and then disposed of McKenzie’s (Gore) to meet Albion in a closely-contested final which they won by seven goals to five. Albion (Gore) is a rapidly-improving team. In the Fifth Grade. Otautau. Hedgehope. and Winton were section winners, the latter after playing off because of a tie with Seaward Downs. Otautau boat Hedgehope and Winton to )vin the grade, WELLINGTON’S TOURNAMENT The Wellington Association also staged a very successful tournamept, although the entries were not as numerous this year as last Senior A drew six entries. Technical O.G. being the only team which did not enter. Through the improved standard of University, this proved the most interesting tournament for several years. Usually the issue has lain more or less between Wellington East O.G. and Kia Ora, with Awatea challenging hard the last two seasons. In the first round University drew with

Awatea and Wellington East O.G. ■ with Kia Ora. This immediately created an interesting position, because not one of the leading teams could then afford even another draw. University then strengthened its position by a decisive win against Training College by 8 goals to 1, Wellington East going one better by defeating Dental Clinic by 8 goals to nil. Kia Ora managed to account for Awatea after a close game, 5—3. The deciding match came in the last round (says “ Ring.” in the Evening Post), when Kia Ora met University In this match Univorshv failed to give the forwards as many opportunities, and Kia Ora registered a win by scoring 10 goals to 7 The other grades wei’e won by Island Bay O.G (second) Wembley (third), Bramac (fourth), Newtown O.G. (fourth junior) and Ferguson and Osborn (Fifth Grade). One of the best games seen (his season in Wellington was that between University and Wellington East 0.G., in which Wellington East scored 27 goals to University’s 23. The high scoring gives an indication of the good team work on both sides, which enabled both sets of forwards to score heavily University attacked strongly right from the start, and speedy, welltimed passing enabled the forwards to keep just ahead of East’s trio until the last five minutes of the first half, the score then standing at B—7 in University’s favour. Then University struck a bad spell when centres and forwards failed to combine the Wellington East defence intercepting and sending the ball back. East’s forwards scoring quickly, to give them the lead, 13—9. at half time Throughout the second half scoring was even, University regaining confidence and forcing the pace. Wellington East, however. resisted the attacks to decrease the lead, and won by the margain gained in the first half.