BASKETBALL

Southland Times, Issue 25312, 15 June 1935, Page 19

BASKETBALL

(By “Defence.”)

The referees meeting will be held on Thursday evening at 7.30 p.m. and it is hoped there will be a large attendance, both of town and country members. Awarua and Central both have referees’ associations and these are affiliating with the central body. This is a step in the right direction and it is hoped that other associations will follow suit. The theoretical examination of the N.Z.8.R.A., must be held between June 15 and 22; it is rather a pity that the examination should have come at that time, but that just can’t be helped. Thanks. At the executive meeting on Thursday, the first since the King’s Birthday tournament, the usual report was considered and all members expressed gratification at the success of the fixture which they feel was due to the whole hearted co-operation of everyone. The ground steward expressed her thanks to the girls who took part. Every team was ready to commence at the time set down and there were almost no delays hunting for players and in consequence the games were got oif to time.

The President of the Referees’ association specially mentioned the whole hearted way in which the referees from the sub-associations had helped just doing exactly as they were asked. There had been less difficulty over referees this year than on any other occasion.

The convenor of the Scorers’ Committee expressed her gratitude to all those, both at Duke street and at the Drill Hall, who had scored, some of them for the whole day. The president commented on report sent in by Mrs Bain Challis, who not only took charge of the first-aid room, but who organized a most successful cafeteria. This venture was a financial success, and the executive was was most grateful. The cafeteria is principally for the convenience of those who travel long distances. It needs much thoughtful organization to cater for 800 people in the small space available. The executive was particularly pleased with this organization. The convenor' in charge of the Drill Hall eulogized the help given by pupils of the S.G.H.S., Waihopai school and a Central Ranger. These girls had all been most willing and efficient. The executive decided to send of appreciation to Cafeteria: Mesdames Bain Challis, Skelt, Lander, A. C. MacEwan, Misses L. Barrett, N. Jones and I. Irwin; Stewards: Misses N. Basstian, L. Hallamore, pupils of Waihopai School and S.G.H.S.; Rangers: Misses D. Pullar, L. Morrison, P. Burley. Evening Tournament

Certainly the association could not haven chosen a worse ’ night for a basketball tournament with several inches of snow on the ground in the suburbs. However although most teams played emergencies, no team defaulted, the four country teams from Central turning up in good time. Through a misunderstanding Winton was graded fourth instead of second and received 3 goals when really they should have been scratch. This was not the fault of the Winton club however and next time they will play with the senior division. In the senior division, even with a difference of six goals between Rata first the top team, and Wallacetown bottom of the second grade, the first grade teams all reached the semi-final. Yet it would seem that six goals should be a big enough handicap in a game of 10 minutes. Ryal Bush showed better form/than anything we have seen yet from them and were rather unlucky not to beat Makarewa in the final. e Makarewa is reverting to the old style of play, too much useless running about and that stupid long pass from the centre to a forward under the goal. Bluff also has gone back tremendously this season. They have lost much of the good combination built up during the past few years and are again giving long wild throws. Wallacetown played very well and so did Kiwi first grade. Rata were poor and should have done better even though both M. McCurdy and M. Shand were not available. In the junior section Rosedale played a very good game indeed and it surprises that with the standard shown last night, they don’t win every match in their grade. Kiwi third put up a stout resistance against Winton, and held them in the first half. Pirates did well in defeating Collegiate fourth, St. Peter’s third, St. Mary’s third, losing only to Winton in the final by one goal. ■the men’s section was most disappointing. Last year these teams showed that they knew something of the game and their play was interesting. This year in the majority of cases the teams considered the game a lark and did. not even try to follow the rules. It. is a pity, because a good men’s team is interesting to watch, and the game is worth being played well. Wallacetown and Cubs were outstanding.. Cubs really deserved their win. This team has entered consistently for several of these tournaments and this is the first time they have been successful. Last Week. Owing to the very unsuitable weather last week, all matches were played indoorfe this necessitating no games for the fourth grade. In the fifth grade St. Marys and Kiwi had an exciting and interesting game. St. Mary’s played with 8 players only until half time, playing short in the forward line, the other two forwards working nobly. The missing player arrived at half time and Kiwi allowed her to play, thus losing their game 8-5. It is just a question whether the association should not step in and

make a local by-law to meet a case like this. The rule states that if a team commences short it may put on the other players if they arrive before half time, but after half time with the consent of the referee and opposing captain. If Kiwi baptain had refused, players would have said she was un-spoi-ting; if the referee had refused she would have been accused of favouring Kiwi. The position is not a fair one. ,Yet obviously it is a great help to have a player quite fresh to put on at half time. St. Mary’s were lucky to win; they are weak in the centre third and had the court not been a small one, it is just a question whether they could have held Kiwi in this third at all.

Greenhills are improving all the time and are winning matches. In the game on Saturday the teams began evenly each scoring until the score stood 6—6. After that Greenhills rescued the ball from the centre each time and at half time had made the score 11—6. In the second half Greenhills tired; they must learn to keep playing for the whole of both spells and Collegiate attacked well, but were not able to even the score and Greenhills won 13—12. Makarewa fifths which consists entirely of primary school children put up a great fight to get within one goal of defeating Pirates. This team have great possibilities; they are evidently being taught along the right lines with short, quick passing movements. It will be interesting to see their development as so many of Makarewa s good players have commenced in this way. In the third grade McKenzies and Kiwi had a great game full of interest. Kiwi began with eight players, and McKenzie’s had the score 3—l before the missing forward arrived. Kiwi then began to score and had the score at 6—6 in a short time. However the players became ' excited and passed wildly with the result that McKenzie s intercepted. The game at half time was 9—6. The second half was very even, the ball passing up and down and the scoring being even. Waianiwa has been playing games on their own courts and I have not seen them recently,-but I should think they were out of their grade, Pirates with eight girls defeating them on Saturday by 19—8. , . St. Peter’s third were having another day off on Saturday and they 'never looked like winning from Rata, although they pulled up considerably m the second half. St. Mary’s third have not in the last three weeks played nearly so well as they did at the beginning of the season and were defeated again last week by H. and J’s. who are playing a good game, another team which should take a hfgh place in their grade. In the second grade Collegiate A, S.G.H.S. and Kiwi won comfortably from teams definitely weaker. Wallacetown is definitely improving. I have said that before, but they really are playing well and now have drawn with both Bluff and S.G.H.S.. N. Townshend, a last year third grade representative has made great strides in her game and is a coming representative I feel sure.

In the first grade Kiwi defeated St. Mary’s by one goal, a draw would have been a better indication of the merits of the two teams. St. Mary’s lost themselves in the beginning of the second half and allowed Kiwi to get the score to 11—6. There are good young players in both these teams. E. Smith (Kiwi) is a delightful forward, who should go far and A, Pittaway in the centre is another player of great promise.

Collegiate and Makarewa had a great fight, the score fluctuating. I saw only part of the game in the second half, where for several minutes Collegiate didn’t get the ball through the centre once. Then as happens so often with this club, towards the end of the game they could miss nothing and ran out winners 18—15. It was a good match only in patches, although it was fast and interesting. FIRST GRADE. Points Ch.

Collegiate 53 Kiwi 3° A study of the various grades makes interesting reading. Rata has easily the least goals ■ scored. against it, but three other teams have gained far more than has the leading team. In the second grade Collegiate A with two draws leads by one point from S.G.H.S. with a loss and a draw. These two teams have not yet met. Bluff and Kiwi with Collegiate B have the most goals in their favour and S.G.H.S. the least scored against it. In this way you can usually gauge the teams with the strongest defence line. The third grade shows Collegiate, Pirates and H. and J’s. close together, but Collegiate are the strongest combination even though St. Mary’s has easily the least goals scored against them. Collegiate, Kiwi and Woolworth s are keeping close together in the fourth grade. It would appear that Collegiate has the best forward line and Kiwi the best defence. The fifth grade is really very even although I think St. Mary’s is the best combination here. They are young and keen and learning all the time. Greenhills is steadily keeping on and may take a higher place yet. Interpretations. The following are a list of infringements for which a player will be,penalized:— (1) Running in possession with the ball. This is one of the most common infringements in the whole of the rules. Players shuffle forwards and backwards. A forward steps backwards and then shoots. Once your feet are on the ground, you can move in any direction. If you are in the air When you receive a ball you may land and then move one foqt. If you jump with the ball, you must get rid of it, before you land. (b) Hold the ball more than 3 seconds in bounds or 5 seconds out of bounds when in a position to throw. The forward, is the one who usually infringes when she is taking aim at the

goal, but there are players who do so in other positions waiting for someone to whom to pass. ■> (c) Place a hand on a ball legally held by an opponent. Referees must watch this, because players do it sometimes in the hope that it will be counted a. “tie-ball.” Tie-balls rarely occur. In the majority of- cases, one or other had the ball first. , (d) Roll or drag the ball along the ground. (e) Deliberately kick the ball. A ball which accidentally bounces off a foot is not penalized. * (f) Deliberately bounce the ball when once held in both hands. This also is difficult to judge sometimes. I don’t suppose actually a player ever sets out to bounce a ball, but if it is thrown to the ground when once it is in possession of a girl, it is really a bounce. A badly directed pass which causes the ball to bounce is not penalized. If a player waits for a ball to bounce, that is not penalized either. It comes under the head of a badly directed pass. ' (g) Throw the ball and play it before it has been touched by another player, except after an attempt at goal. This is not penalized often enough. It really means that a player may not touch the ball twice in succession. However, if she has just batted it she may play it again. You have not had possession of the ball if you bat it. (h) Hand the ball to another player. (i) Strike the ball with the fist. (k) Bounce or bat the ball up more than once before taking possession. I have never liked the term “bounce” here, because actually it is never legal to “bounce,” but in basketball nomenclature you cannot “bounce” a ball until you have had possession. “Bat the ball once up or down” would be clearer.

P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Rata 5 5 M •> 79 49 10 Collegiate 6 5 1 — 100 76 10 Kiwi 5 3 2 a> 48 58 6 Makarewa S 1 5 » 83 94 2 St. Mary's 6 - 6 - 94 107 0 SECOND GRADE. Points Ch. P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Collegiate A S.G.H.S. 6 4 2 81 62 10 6 4 1 1 . 76 59 9 Bluff 6 3 1 2 98 79 8 Kiwi 6 4 2 •> 84 82 8 Pirates 5 3 2 w 86 59 6 Collegiate B 7 2 4 1 93 106 5 Rata 6 2 4 ■■ 77 103 4 Kennington 6 1 5 •> 75 82 2 Wallacetown 6 - 4 2 55 87 2 THIRD GRADE. Points Ch. P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Collegiate 7 6 1 113 80 12 Pirates 7 5 2 •* 115 86 10 H. and J’s. 7 4 *> 1 109 90 9 McKenzie’s 7 3 2 2 87 81 8 St. Mary's St. Peter’s 7 4 3 «■ 83 66 8 7 4 3 — 106 83 8 Makarewa 6 3 2 1 67 66 7 Kiwi 7 1 6 «■ 84 113 2 Rata 7 — 5 2 66 96 2 Waianiwa 6 1 5 - 42 90 2 FOURTH GRADE. Points Ch. P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Collegiate Kiwi 6 6 5 5 1 1 • 88 70 58 49 10 10 Woolworth’s 6 4 1 ' i 71 53 9 Rosedale 6 3 3 79 67 6 St. Mary's 6 2 4 — 54 75 4 Makarewa 6 1 4 1 68 79 3 Kennington Bluff 6 7 1 1 5 6 - 58 53 90 78 2 2 FIFTH GRADE. Points Ch. P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Pirates 6 5 1 73 66 10 St. Mary’s Kiwi 5 6 5 3 3 70 67 42 55 10 6 Greenhills 6 3 3 54 56 6 St. Peter's 6 3 3 53 69 6 Wallacetown 6 3 3 55 55 6 6 2 Collegiate Rata 5 5 3 1 2 4 70 53 37 60 Rosedale 6 1 5 45 82 2 Makarewa ' 3 • 3 29 39 Royds Shield:—