BASKETBALL

Southland Times, Issue 23255, 19 July 1937, Page 5

BASKETBALL

SATURDAY’S GAMES PIRATES DEFEATED BY RATA The Southland Basketball Union’s weekly competition games were continued on the Duke street courts on Saturday afternoon. A chilling east wind made the conditions very difficult and the standard of play suffered accordingly. There were flashes of good basketball, but for the most part the games were very patchy and lacking in enthusiasm In the senior grade comfortable wins were secured by Rata and Collegiate A. Rata, playing confidently, managed to beat Pirates, one of the leading teams in the second grade competition. The latter team was not up to full strength, however, and this had an adverse effect on the team’s combination. Another interesting game in this grade resulted in Rosedale drawing with High School. FIRST GRADE COLLEGIATE A (11) v. KIWI (3) Maintaining a strong defence throughout, Collegiate had little difficulty in scoring a win over Kiwi. Although slightly inferior in all departments the Kiwi defences and centres put up a spirited resistance. The Kiwi forward line failed to combine smoothly and the shooting in particular was very poor. This defect cost Kiwi quite a number of goals. The cold weather, however, must have affected the shooting considerably. The Collegiate forwards confined play to Kiwi’s defence third for long periods and were afforded numerous opportunities to goal. RATA (21) v. COLLEGIATE B (2) Rata outclassed Collegiate in this game and was not extended to win comfortably. Rata’s defence played vigorously and the Collegiate forwards experienced difficulty in penetrating it. Team work was lacking in quite a number of moves by both teams. With a little support these moves would have resulted in goals being scored. SECOND GRADE RATA (19) v. PIRATES (18) Pirates was severely handicapped in not having the services of B. Macgregor. With a full team Pirates would undoubtedly have won. However, Rata gave an encouraging display in all sections. Rata was combining well in the first half, the defence trio defending strongly and making the task of the Pirates’ forwards very difficult. The latter trio was unlucky in a number of attempts, but was sufficiently well supported by the centres to goal consistently. In the second half Pirates increased its first half lead and in the final stage of the game was leading 16—14. Rata now made a spirited attack and as a result of sharp centre interceptions and active and accurate forward work ran out the winner by one goal. ROSEDALE (15) v. HIGH SCHOOL (15) Had Rosedale retained its early form in this game it must have beaten High School by a considerable margin of points. It did not, however, and the High School team, playing with excellent judgment, was able to maxe a draw of it after being down 14—16. The Rosedale forwards did not appear to be right on form, missing some very easy goals. The High School team was not up to full strength, but its combination was excellent. Outstanding among the High School forwards was J. Dixon, who was responsible for a number of excellent movements. She was well supported by the other forwards.

WALLACETOWN (21) v. ST. PETER’S (8) The Wallacetown forwards were again outstanding and indulged in some pretty passing. The strong breeze, however, had an adverse effect on the shooting and at times scores were infrequent. The St. Peter’s forwards and centres connected smoothly and the forwards enjoyed a fair share of the ball. Long passing was instrumental in breaking down many promising movements, which, had short, snappy exchanges been employed, would have culminated in success. The Wallacetown defence also gave a good exhibition and effectively spoiled a number of St. Peter’s attacks. The latter’s defence was kept busy defending, but could do little against Wallacetown’s strong attacks. MAKAREWA (11) v. COLLEGIATE (9) This game was of a very even nature throughout, and only Makarewa’s better forward work enabled it to win. Collegiate was superior in the first half, but in the second Makarewa showed much improved form in the defence and forward sections. The handling by both sides was patchy and this retarded the scoring rate considerably. ST. MARY’S (10) v. KIWI (8) Kiwi, playing with an emergency in the forward line, could not work up any effective team work, but after the interval, play was of a more even nature. However, St. Mary’s accuracy in defence prevented the Kiwi team from making much headway. THIRD GRADE H. AND J.’s (11) v. PIRATES (8) Pirates, without the services of two of its regular players, succumbed to H. and J.’s determined attacks in the second half. The latter’s forwards enjoyed a big share of the ball and worked with a will, but sometimes with very little result. H. and J.’s defence played an excellent game and gave the Pirates forwards very few opportunities of scoring. RATA (21) v. ST. MARY’S (7) In a one-sided match Rata disposed of St. Mary’s with ease. The Rata forwords covered the court very quickly and combined good understanding with accurate shooting. The centres of both teams played well and provided the forwards with an equal share of the ball. McKENZIE’S (7) v. COLLEGIATE (6) McKenzie’s continued on its winning way by securing a well-deserved win over Collegiate. Collegiate had the better of the first half, but in the second McKenzie’s strong defensive work and consistent shooting triumphed. FOURTH GRADE The results are as follows:— St. Peter’s 10 drew with H. and J.’s 10. Kiwi 29 beat Rata A 19. Rata B 17 beat Collegiate 7. Makarewa 15 beat St. Mary’s 11. DRAW FOR SATURDAY < Following is the draw for matches . to be played on Saturday, July 24:— , First grade.—Court 5,2 p.m., Rata v. , St. Mary’s (referee, Miss Wann; scorer , Mrs Foster); court 5, 3 p.m., Kiwi v. Collegiate B (Miss Basstian; Miss Bain); Collegiate A a bye. ; Second grade.—At Winton, 2 p.m.,

Central v. Town representatives (Mr Anderson); at Winton, 2.15 p.m., Central v. Makarewa. Third grade—Court 4,2 p.m., McKenzies v. St. Mary’s (Mr Kinross; Miss Cooper); court 4, 3 p.m., Pirates v. Rosedale (Mr Haberfield; Miss Cooper); court 6,2 p.m., Collegiate v. H. and J.’s (Miss Deegan; Miss Thomson); Rata a bye. Fourth grade.—Court 6, 3 p.m., Rata A v. St Mary’s (Mr Ingram; Mrs Walker); court 1,2 p.m., St. Peter’s v. Kiwi (Mr Phillips; Miss Bain); court 2, 2 p.m., Collegiate v. H. and J.’s (Mr Haberfield; Mrs Walker); Court 3,2 p.m., Makarewa v. Rata B (Mr Ingram; Mrs Foster). If it is wet the Central—Town matches will be postponed until July

If wet, matches, except third grade, will be played as follows:— 2 p.m.—lst grade, Rata v. St. Mary’s (Miss Wann; Mrs Foster); 2nd, S.G.H.S. v. Makarewa (Mr Kinross; Miss Bain); 4th, Rata A v. St, Mary’s (Mr Phillips; Miss Cooper). 2.45 p.m.—lst, Kiwi v. Collegiate B (Miss Basstian; Miss Cooper); 2nd, Collegiate v. St. Mary’s (Mr Haberfield; Mrs Foster); 4th, Makarewa v. Rata B (Miss Deegan; Miss Bain). 3.30 p.m.—2nd, Pirates v. Rosedale (Miss Godward; Miss Cooper); 2nd, Wallacetown v. Kiwi (Mr Kinross; Mrs Noble); 4th St. Peter’s v. Kiwi (Mr Ingram; Mrs Foster). 4.15 p.m.—2nd, Rata v. St. Peter’s (Mr Ingram; Mrs Noble); 4th, Collegiate v. H. and J.’s (Miss Jones; Miss Cooper).