BASKETBALL HIGH QUALITY OF PLAY

Grey River Argus, 8 October 1948, Page 6

BASKETBALL HIGH QUALITY OF PLAY

Last Saturday saw basketball of really good quality played as the season’s finale. The only onther games this season will be those played for referees’ examinations when Mrs Cairney, New Zealand examiner, from Christchurch comes over to take Mesdames Clarke, Mellett and Newton for senior practical, and Mrs Rodger, Miss Grogan and Miss Smart for New Zealand practical, which would make the last three mentioned eligible for New Zealand Tournament refereeing, at Dunedin, next year. Senior teams and Convent O.G. and Kohinoor A are asked to be available for matches oil October 16, therefore, in the morning, if possible, though afternoon matches can be arranged. The draw will be arranged in the usual way. Any team desiring special times or any teams not mentioned above, which would like to play, are asked to contact the draw steward as soon as possible. All teams are asked to be sure to send their delegate to the final association meeting for the season on Tuesday and see that trohpy winners are present at the ball to collect their trophies. Consistent Team Convent O.G. A, who have won both the knockout and the senior competition, have been playing basketball of a consistently high team standard all the year. They may not possess a team of brilliant individualists—in fact they don’t—but they do combine well together and this very fact has contributed very largely to their success. It must be a source of great satisfaction to their coach, Mrs E. Ryan—herself an old Coast Rep—to see both her A and B teams in the top position on the ladder of games. Big Improvement Taking an all-over tally of games and play this season, one could say that play has been of a greatly improved standard in all grades, so that the association feels that it is justified in applying for promotion to second grade New Zealand status. It is hoped that next season more country districts will enter teams to make little sub-associations, because, if there are 100 or more teams in the association, then a minor or junior team can be entered in the New Zealand Tournament—a team made from the players in the sub-associa-tions. This season the association teams numbered 53, including Reefton, so it has still a .long way to go.

Junior Reps

Thee combined Reefton-Greymouth junior team who played Hokitika last Saturday, made a very great showing, the four Reefton players being noticable as working in very well with their Greymouth teammates. The standard of play in this match augers well for junior play on the Coast next season, and Reefton should have one or two players who will approach senior B or even senior A status.

Buller B had a very pleasing centre third in M. McDonald, F. Morgan and N. Ledgard, whose passing and court craft was a pleasure to watch. Of their forwards, A C’loss played well, but all three need to open.out their play to meet the ball. They IoM. opportunities often by all running back, leaving a long pass open to easy interception from the centre. N. Henderson, of the Coast defence took every advantage of this, ably backed by N. Thomas. A. Levy, of Buller foiled many a forward movement in the Coast third, but the superior field play in the forwards really gave Coast the victory. Remember October 16, seniors, and turn out to 1 show your gratitude to your referees by fielding teams for the tests.