Season Opens On New Courts

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27069, 2 May 1949, Page 6

Season Opens On New Courts

The opening of the Otago Basketball Association's season on Saturday last was held on the new Memorial Park courts on the St. Kilda Domain. The opening took the form of a tournament. One hundred and four teams were divided into seven sections and the teams in each section competed against one another. The play was mostly of an even nature. No finality was reached, the games being intended as a practice. In section 1. all the teams fielded players of experience, and enterprising movements were the order of the day, although a number of these were nullified by insecure handling of the ball, the advantage thus passing to the opposing side. Inaccurate shooting also marred a number of games. At the official opening the president, Mrs W. B. Taverner, expressed the satisfaction of all in being able to begin the games on courts belonging to the association. Mr W. Rutherford, Mayor of St. Kilda, officially declared the season open. The Mayor of Dunedin, Sir Donald Cameron; the chairman of the Domain Board, Mr John Wilson; the member of Parliament for the district, Mr Jones; the president of the Provincial Council of Sport Mr C. J. L. White; and the president of the Dunedin Lawn Tennis Union, Mr L. Hope, all paid tribute to the work of'the Otago Basketball Association and the Dunedin Lawn Tennis Union. Crs W. B. Taverner and E. J. Anderson and Mr J. J. Marlow were also present. The highlight of the day's performance was the march past of the 104 competing teams, under the direction of Miss Marian McKinnon and led by the Dunedin Highland Pipe Band. The teams marched with .great precision.

Three of last year’s New Zealand team, Lena McTaggart (YWCA), Alison Hughes Training College), and Natalie Nicholls (University), were seen in action in the days game. Lena McTaggart’s play is well known to Otago supporters, while the performances of A. Hughes and N. Nicholls wer& watched with' interest.