SPARKLING DISPLAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26542, 18 August 1947, Page 7

SPARKLING DISPLAY

Basketball

CANTERBURY BEATS OTAGO WINNER’S SUPERIOR COMBINATION The second representative basketball game of the season was played on Saturday at Logan Park when Otago met, Canterbury for the John Young Cup which was recently presented to the association for annual competition between the two provinces by Mr and Mrs J. Young. The game was characterised by the sureness of the Canterbury players and bv the failure of the Otago side to reproduce the form shown in its previous game against Southland three weeks ago. The Canterbury players were particularly agile and an' advantage in height was used in an exemplary manner, the ba„ repeatedly finding an unchallenged way down to'the goal post where the young Canterbury forward, Azalea Clarke, always in position, scored consistently. Otago was without the services of June Colqulioun whose absence was Particularly noticed in opening up attacking movements, this player being one of the cleverest centres in New Zealand. She was replaced by Naomi Gosden, a y°nng player who was participating in her first representative game, and who »nowt.l distinct oqssibilities. Had the rest of the team been playing up to their usual standard, this player would have contributed more to the success of the days game. The Play Otago had the opening throw-off but the advantage was lost on the centre line and from that moment Canterbury held the initiative for the first 10 minutes of the game. Jil Murray opened Canterbury’s score almost immediately, but its second goal was not registered until fout minutes had elapsed wben ,, Azal ,f® Clarknetted from underneath the goal post. Margaret Barrett, Canterbury defence, was showing great interceptive Powers, preventing Otago from working play into the goal area. For the first time Otago narticipated in one of its flashing movements up the field,’but the shot at goal rolled out. Canterbury then carried play to the opposite end of the field, the thi.d goal being scored from a penalty Beau tiful handling and footwork found Azalea Clarke scoring twice more, slow work bj the Otago defenders giving Canterbury every advantage. Improved Otago work rave Jovce Mayhew possession and nor thot at goal found the ring. Canterbury * Otaco 1 A good movement mitiatea bv Lena Johnstone was carried through to the goal mouth, where Helen Frayne added Otago’s second score From this stage on m the first halt, »-iinv wac: mo r e evenly contested and goals, S S by S sides, Canterbury still holding a slight ascendancy and taking advantage of all of Otago’s mistakes Leslie Black and Betty Guiuoiu gave excellent support to Margaret Bar'rett in Canterbury’s defence thud, while Oona Murray and Dal Turner made many onenings in the centre. Aftei 16 min nW nlav the score read Canterbury 11, Otago P s! y and e during the final four min-„t-e the Otago players showed to gieater SivaSagc !\VYvette Willi.™ •SSB3 «J& saw? greater ability in evading her opponent. Jean Mclntvro. for Canterbury was also conspicuous in brilliant interceptive Otago scored three times and Canterbury twice before half time was called with the score standing at 13 goals to 8 in Canterbury's favour. Accurate Shooting At the opening of the second naif it fonn ar attractive (^movemen t s by S Lena Johnstone and Thora Farquharson resulting in two goals being scored. Tne sum r r[l was not maintained, however. On the other hand accurate shooting b Y Canterbury together with perfect. un e standing in the forward third, where Ali stanaing n Murray consistent^ i.rtrJrf^af^nKlcaj-terbm-v’s favour. After 10 minutes' play Canterbury’s lead was increased to 21n Bright Otago work found Joyce Maj hew leading her trio in. sparkling work Helen Frayne scoring with clever Brighter work by Ruth Williams and 'ovee Beatson also prevented likely Cantertfurv scores, but the latter team could not be stayed and good positional play found further scores being addcc L in * t y,„ favour until with three minutes to go the score read Canterbury 28, Otago 17. The final movements were played at ton speed with both sides on the offence and exerting every effort to increase the score The game ended with play m he Otago territory. The final score was: Canterbury f R Otago 10 The game was refereed by Miss Joan Young.