BASKETBALL

Southland Times, Issue 21729, 15 June 1932, Page 9

BASKETBALL

CENTRAL DISTRICT NOTES. FIRST ROUND COMPLETED. (By “Shoot.”) POSITIONS OF TEAMS. Senior.

Kia Ora and Limehills will probably provide the most interesting game today* Winton and Rovers can always be expected to give something out of the ordinary. Lochiel are displaying better lorm than at the commencement of the season and the team’s victory over Limehills was a worthy one. Lochiel were the 1930 premiers of the junior competition and for a second year club in senior basketball have made rapid progress. Although beaten Limehills were by no means disgraced and the Blue and Whites can be relied upon to extend Kia Ora to-day. Winton emerged victorious after an extremely interesting tussle with Oreti,

who have also improved out of sight since being promoted from junior status last season. _ Winton dominated play m the first spell, but the home team held the upper hand in the second half. Kia Ora accounted for Rovers by a five-point margin, but the efforts of the premiers were anything but glorious. The district champions took the Rover team too cheaply and only in one or two instances did the Forest Hill combination give glimpses of their real worth* Rovers were at a disadvantage as far as height went, but for a good part of the game they had possession. However, the forwards failed to make the most of their opportunities. In their last three games Kia Ora have performed well below their usual standard. The team possesses the material but the usual dash is missing. The Forest Hill girls will have some strenuous games in the second round, which commences to-day. Winton, who are fourth in the championship table, may do much better in the second round. At the start of the first round they were not as successful as they might have been and it would not be surprising to see this team upset the calculations of a number of the others. The Winton girls have improved out of sight during their last two or three matches, and it is only when the team are hard pushed that their real worth is shown. Lochiel meet Oreti this afternoon, and although the former should emerge the victors on form, Oreti have a capable combination and will run their opponents to a close game. In the junior competition Winton High School, Browns and Ohai have each eight points. To date the school team have played one game fewer than the other two teams, and while school have not suffered defeat as yet, both Ohai and Browns have experienced a reverse. As far as can be gathered the senior representative team will not be chosen until the latter part of the second round. In Misses N. Norman, I. Egerton and K. Crowe, Kia Ora have a formidable trio of forwards, but seldom are they all found to be playing up to form on

the one day. I. Egerton is the most active member and she accomplishes valuable work in feeding her two colleagues. At the present time K. Crowe is shooting with unusual accuracy. Of the centres of the Forest Hill team Miss F. Thornbury, wing centre, has been giving .good displays of late, and at the present time is playing better than either Misses E. Norman or V. Crowe. , An ankle injury has unfortunately necessitated Miss M. Collett (a member of Kia Ora’s defence line) taking her games from the side-line. Spar Bush have shown considerably improved form in the junior competition since making their debut in Central District basketball this season, while Ohai are another team who are playing above last year’s form. In Misses P. Clark, H. Clark and J. Cowie Lochiel possess a trio of defences that will more than hold their own with any in the district. These three players have a thorough understanding. The centres are also a capable combination, particularly Misses C. Atkinson and M. Forbes. The former, who plays wing centre, is an ex-mem-ber of the Makarewa Club and is in no small measure responsible for the success of the Lochiel team this season. Her efforts as coach to the team have been most effective, while her play has been of a high standard. M. Forbes as centre, an ex-college girl, is also an acquisition to the team. The third member, Miss E. Moylan, uses good judgment and quite often puts her forwards in good scoring positions.

Winton have a capable forward line in Misses D. Humphries, M. Balch and E. Scobie. The former has not been giving her best of late, but the other pair have been responsible for some good exhibitions. M. Balch’s chances of inclusion in the representative team seem bright. Limehills possess a promising young forward in Miss R. McGillivray, who has notched some splendid goals for her team this season. Misses N. Wilson (centre) and M. Payne (defence) are both playing well for the Blue and Whites at present. In the Winton centre third, Misses K. Boyle (centre) and H. Holland (wing)

are capable of good exhibitions, the handling of the latter being particularly sound. The defences of the Reds are a hardy lot. If she took her play more seriously Miss E. Pierce would perform more effectively. This trio have been frequently penalized for over-guarding, and, this has at least on one occasion been responsible for the downfall of the team. In Misses N. McLean, I. Cowan and M. Finlay, Oreti possess a capable trio of forwards, of which the former is particularly accurate. Misses J. Finlay (centre) and A. Bromby (defence) have also been playing prominently. Although always defeated, Rovers can be relied upon to give a creditable display, and the team, wholly comprised of young members, should eventually develop into a formidable side. The centres, Misses B. Harvey, B. Andrews, and D. Blackmun, always hold their own. In the defence line Miss S. Murphy plays well, while Miss N. Rizzi is a fairly reliable forward. Winton have withdrawn from the junior competition and as a consequence two junior teams will be without a game each Wednesday. The Central Union has been unfortunate is losing a number of its officials, and yet another in Miss J. Watson is to leave the district. Miss Watson was one of the founders of basketball in this district, and took a prominent part in school basketball. Her departure will be felt locally, but in all probability she will take a keen interest in the game in Invercargill. Last Wednesday afternoon Ryal Bush played two friendly spells against Kia Ora and Rovers respectively and the junior combination gave a creditable display against their senior rivals.

P. W. D. Points Sh. L. F. A. Pts Kia Ora 5 4 1 — 77 41 9 Lochiei 5 4 — 1 68 51 8 Dimehills 5 3 — 2 78 64 6 Winton 5 2 1 2 64 69 4 Oreti 5 1 — 4 62 93 2 Rovers 5 — — 5 68 99 — Junior. Points Sh. P. W. D. L. F. A. Pts High School 4 4 — — 48 24 8 Browns 5 4 — 1 78 37 8 Ohai 5 4 — 1 39 25 8 Ryal Bush 4 3 — 1 66 32 6 Spar Bush 5 3 — 2 43 36 6 Drummond 5 3 — 2 41 39 6 Lochiel 4 1 — 3 30 41 2 Hedgehope 4 1 — 3 30 76 2 Rovers 5 1 — 4 36 58 2 Fernhills 4—1 3 20 38 1 •Winton 5—1 4 17 35 1 •Withdrawn from competition.