RUNAWAY WIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26863, 30 August 1948, Page 7

RUNAWAY WIN

AUSTRALIAN TEST SIDE P.A. NEW PLYMOUTH, Aug. 29. New Zealand was soundly trounced in the second test against the touring Australian basketball team at New Plymouth yesterday. In every department Australia was superior, and the score, 44 to 13, showed that the New Zealanders lacked the qualities which made the Australians such easy winners. The New Zealand team was playing together for the first time, and poor shooting, a lack of speed in passing and wild passing were more marked than in senior provincial games during the tournament. New Zealand at times tried the Australian tactics, but could not get the same speed into the passes, with the result that many were intercepted. If there was a weakness in the Australian team it was the off day experienced by the goal thrower, L. Hornig, who missed many more shots than usual. The outstanding player on the field was M. White, the Australian captain, who stopped New Zealand from having innumerable shots by her swift interceptions. C. Craddock, in the Australian goal circle, was uncannily accurate in goal-throwing. In the New Zealand team, Sullivan was weak in centre third, but L. Black, in defence, intercepted well, sending the ball on to J. Hickey, who was the best of the team. Rona Woodger was outstanding on defence in the New Zealand team, and against strong opposition played a keen game. A. Hughes, in the New Zealand goal circle, played a game which would have been brilliant but for sterling defence work by the Australians. T. Trask shot the majority of New Zealand’s goals, but was weak in field work. The teams were;—

New Zealand.—A. Hughes (Canterbury), T. Trask (Manawatu), B. Avery (Wellington, captain), J. Sullivan (Manawatu), J Harvey (Auckland), L. Black (Canterbury), R. Woodger (Manawatu). Australia.—M. White , J. Cowan, L. Hewisk. M. Craddock, L. Hornig, W. McKenzie, A. Murray.