BASKETBALL

Southland Times, Issue 22042, 15 June 1933, Page 5

BASKETBALL

CENTRAL DISTRICT NOTES. /n.. 4.

(By

“Shoot.”)

Kia Ora and Lochiel are at the head of the senior competition. Spar Bush and Lochiel are to the for- in the junior section. Limehills, the conquerors of Kia Ora, were disappointing against Winton last week. Apart from a couple of weak links Winton have a very formidable side Rovers, on their performances to date, are probably the most improved senior team. The commencement of competition games under the auspices of the Western Sub-Association is gratifying news N. Norman’s effort for Kia Ora last week in notching the first 11 goals and being responsible for 22 of the 28 goals registered was a feat worthy of the highest commendation. Again Ryal Bush on June 7 Kia Ora atoned for their defeat of the previous Wednesday and registered a clean-cut victory, the scores being 28 to 3. It is pleasing to be able to record tire fact that local referees have given entire satisfaction in all their matches to date this season. Last year “Shoot’’ repeatedly pointed out the injustice to local referees by the “importing’’ of outside referees for important fixtures, and declared that such action belittled the ability of the local men. When final competition and representative games come up for decision it is to be hoped that local referees will be given the whistle. Ryal Bush, who went under to Kia Ora on June 7, have not met with a great deal of success yet this season, but the fact has to be taken into consideration that this club’s team are having their first year in senior basketball. Although they possess a fairly good knowledge of the game there are many of the finer points that they have yet to learn. Frequently members of their side are caught out of position; to be effective the majority of the passes are not crisp enough; the defenders do not put enough dash into their efforts when their opposing forwards are shooting. No doubt the side will improve with experience as the material is there to be moulded into quite a strong combination. Rovers defeated Oreti by a one point margin last week. Last year this team were near the bottom of the list and there is no doubt about the fact that incessant practice has been the chief factor in the decisive improvement shovzn. Playing at a disadvantage in practically every game as far as size goes, Rovers inspire plenty of dash into their efforts. The members of the team have a thorough understanding and their work is always effective Snappy deliveries and good handling are two gratifying features of their play. Practically all of the side ar? young players. The meeting of Limehills and Winton last wf»k provided an interesting contest, with Winton decisively superior on the day, the scores being 13 to 8 in favour of the Reds. The Blue and Whites displayed little initiative and did not combine well. The form of Winton was a considerable improvement, and their handling and combining efforts were of a high standard. The shooting of both trios of forwards was weak, and both sides missed freouent opportunities. At one stage of the second spell the Blue and Whites gave a glimpse of real form, but this was not a very sustained effort. Winton were the better team on the day, and have a formidable side, apart from one or two weak links. T. Valli, a member of the Winton forward third, gave an exceptionally good display and her court work was a feature. She handles particularly well and, although at a disadvantage as far as height goes,

she secured a number of first class goals. E. Scobie also played with accuracy, while M. Balch played her first game for some time. K. Boyle was most prominent in the centre third and her display on the whole was a creditable one. D. Humphrey also played well in this third, considering the fact that she always plays in tha forward third. In the defence line the spoiling tactics of E. Pierce were most effective and she saved her side repeatedly. Good handling was a feature of her play. D. Hagerty was also responsible for a good showing and combined effectively. The Limehills forwards did not display a great deal of accuracy, but towards the latter stages R. Coster missed few openings. Thn centre trio, F. Pavne, Mrs Brosnan and N. Wilson, were a sound unit and put their forwards in strong positions only to be blocked by the Winton defence line. The Blue and White defenders did a lot of good work, with M. Thomson and M. Payne outstanding.

Rovers and Oreti had a stern struggle and the former ran out the victors by 13 to 12. Both these sides have been playing with improvement of late and their encounter last week was an interesting one. Kia Ora did not have a great deal of difficulty in defeating Ryal Bush. The Forest Hill side combined more effectively than they have done for some time past. A reverse the previous week against Limehills seems to have been for the best. Positions of the Teams.

The positions of the teams in the senior and junior sections are as follows:— Senior.

P. Points Sh’ld. W. D. L. F. A. pts. Kia Ora 6 5 — 1 72 34 10 Lochiel 4 — 1 72 48 8 Limehills Fj 3 — 2 46 41 6 Rovers 5 2 — 3 66 68 4 Winton 4 2 — 2 42 47 4 Oreti 4 — 1 3 47 57 1 Ryal Bush 5 — 1 Junior. 4 57 103 1 Points Sh’ld. P. W. D. L . F. A. pts. Spar Bush 5 5 —- 57 22 10 Lochiel 6 5 — 1 80 43 10 Browns A 4 3 — 1 65 20 6 Limehills 5 2 — 3 38 52 4 Hedgehope 4 2 — 2 43 44 4 High School 3 1 — 2 23 38 2 Rovers 5 1 — 4 38 49 2 Ryal Bush 4 1 — 3 28 57 2 Browns B 4 — —. 4 11 43 —•