BASKETBALL

Evening Star, Issue 23681, 14 September 1940, Page 5 (Supplement)

BASKETBALL

[By Defence.] Representative Fixtures, Three of the Otago Association’s representative teams enjoyed the fruits of victory last Saturday, when the OtagoCanterbury, the Otago B grade-South Otago, and the Otago third gradeEastern Districts representative fixtures were played at Logan Park. The unsettled weather conditions of the morning caused many heartburnings among the officials, as suitable indoor accommodation was not available. Fortunately, from the time the first games commenced the light drizzle began to lift, and the senior game was played under dry conditions. Both South Otago and Eastern Districts, although defeated, were certainly not disgraced, and the experience gained will be of incalculable value in their home centres. As was expected, the OtagoCanterbury game was very exciting, the final stages being closely contested. The brilliant display of the Otago players in the earlier period was a feature of the game. The following is a description of the game played Otago took the throw-off, but the ball was lost on the line, and the play was carried to Canterbury’s end, where O. Wheatly scored from just inside the circle Hue. B Neale captured from Canterbury’s throw-off the forwards moving quickly into goal, but the shot failed. J. Clayton gained possession from Canterbury’s throw-in and scored. 1 all.

The advantage from a clever interception by N. Haulin (Otago) was lost through a foot infringement, but W. Dunn again gained possession for her side and inaugurated a sparkling movement up the field, D. Adams finding the ring. Otago 2, Canterbury 1. Otago attacked again, but a line infringement altered the trend of play, until J. M'Lean gained possesskm from near the back line, the resultant movement being a brilliant effort on the part of the nine players, M. Morrison finding the ring. No further scores were added for a five-minute period, during which time Otago played brilliantly but failed to find the ring, the ball just missing or rolling out of the ring five times. Canterbury also had two opportunities to score, which failed. J. Judd watched the play closely for Canterbury, while W. Dunn was responsible for repulsing a number o'f the visiting team’s movements on the field line. Another bright movement on the part of the_ Otago team resulted in D. Adams scoring, M. Morrison also netting half a minute later.,. Score: Otago 5, Canterbury 1. Canterbury then carried play to its goalmouth, but the shots at goal failed. Otago cleared, but A. Bennett intercepted, the advantage gained being spoiled by Q. Phelan, who captured from a great height in the centre, returning the ball to the attacking third, where, however, E. Callanan prohibited scores being made. Despite brilliant play by W. Dunn, R. M'Kendry gained possession in a shooting position and scored. Otago 5, Canterbury 2. A bad pass by Otago gave Canterbury another opportunity, but excellent work by J. M'Lean relieved the pressure, the Otago players uniting _in a pretty movement which resulted in D. Adams finding the ring. M. Stewart intercepted brilliantly in the centre, snappy work being followed by another goal by D. Adams. Otago 7, Canterbury 2. Through good work by E. Sherrett Canterbury found itself in a good shooting position, but the shot at goal failed. E. Sherrett and O. Jordan were again prominent in spoiling movements, but N. Hanlin captured on line and play was again reversed. Otago attacked strenuously, D. Adams and M. Morrison both scoring. Otago 8, Canterbury 2. A. Bennett intercepted cleverly, the Canterbury movement being carried to the goalmouth, where, however, the shot at goal failed. B. Sherrett returned the ball to the goal area, but again the shot was unsuccessful. Otago, returned to the attack, and by dint of clever combined work succeeded in adding two goals before time was called, shot by D. Adams and M. Morrison, making the half-time score Otago 10, Canterbury 2. J. M‘Lean frustrated Canterbury’s throw-off movement, but the ball was returned, the shot at goal, however, failing. Otago cleared excellently, but E. Callanan captured on the line, R. M'Kendry gaining possession in a good position to score from a neat overhead pass from O. Wheatley underneath the goal. Otago 10, Canterbury 3. Both sides were responsible for good attacking movements, but the shots at goal failed. M. Stewart (Otago) captured brilliantly in the centre, but again the forwards failed to find the ring. Forcible Canterbury play, M Scott being prominent, gave the forwards opportunities, 0. Wheatley netting, the same player finding the ring a short time later with a wonderful shot from just inside the circle line Otago 10, Canterbury 5. An Otago attack was frustrated by E. Callanan, N, Hanlin acting similarly at the opposite end of the field, quick work up the centre resulting in D. Adams netting. This was followed by two excellent movements by both Canterbury and Otago, R. M'Kendry and M. Morrison finding the ring, the score after 27 minutes’ play reading: Otago 12, Canterbury 6.

Otago passed expertly down the line, but A. Bennett tipped the ball and spoiled the movement, E. Callanan intercepting brilliantly the next movement, the Canterbury centres retaining possession, but tbe forwards missing at goal. Otago carried play up the field from the throw-in, clever fielding and speedy footwork characterising the movement, but the shot at goal failed. Otago returned to the attack, and a great shot by J. Clayton made the score Otago 13, Canterbury 6. M. Morrison added the next goal, ami strong attacking work by Canterbury saw C. Glackin netting the ball after O. Wheatley’s shot had rolled out Otago 14, Canterbury 7. Otago attacked strenuously, but failed to score; but Canterbury found the ring with two excellent shots by 0. Wheatley, scored from clever throwins. Otago was being penalised for line infringements. N. Hanlin intercepted cleverly, and after speedy work M. Morrison netted. Otago 15, Canterbury 9. D. Adams missed at goal, but C. Glackin found the ring for Canterbury. Otago scored from its throw-off (D. Adams), O. Wheatley retaliating for Canterbury, bringing the scores to 16-11. P. Judd inaugurated a splendid Canterbury movement down the field, R. M'Kendry netting. Canterbury again attacked, but failed, a sparkling movement by the Otago players resulting in D. Adams scoring. Otago 17, Canterbury 12. Otago returned to the attack, .but time was called with the ball in its shooting area.

The second half was marked by the strong and at times brilliant defensive play of both sets of defenders, the young Canterbury player E. Callanan being particularly brilliant, while the three Otago players did excellent work.