Basketball

If Victoria ever had reason for confidence in the ability of its team to carry off the Basketball Shield it had this year. That it failed to do so cannot be attributed to lack of zeal, but to Auckland's fine combination of proved players. In any case, the margin was slight and the standard of play really high throughout, making the competition one of the most keenly contested events of Tournament.

The Victoria team contained three trialists for the Wellington Provincial Rep. team, and although several of its members were new to Tournament play, its combination was excellent, and challenged even the strongest opposition. The C.U.C. team contained two Canterbury Provincial trialists, and A.U.C. sent a team which had altered little from that which last year carried off the trophy, three of its number belonging to the Auckland Provincial Rep. team and one to the North Island team of 1939.

The first match between Victoria and Canterbury set a pace which never slackened. At half-time Canterbury were leading by a narrow margin, but during the second spell, thanks to the masterly shooting of Pixie Higgin and the able support in field work of every member of the team, V.U.C. drew ahead to win, 22—18.

The next game between Auckland and Otago was less tense, Auckland showing from the start a superiority in footwork and passing. Their shooting was rather erratic at first, but later improved, and the Otago backs were powerless to stop the rising number of goals. Also, the Otago centres were not a match for the fast-moving Aucklanders, and the game ended with the score 25—15 in favour of Auckland.

The match between Auckland and Victoria was a fine example of first-grade basketball. From the first moment play was sparkling, with brilliant team-work on both sides, lightning passes, and some excellent shooting. Victoria drew ahead at the beginning, and, with the frenzied support of the haka party, maintained their lead well into the second half, when Auckland scored several goals in rapid succession. When time was called the score stood at 17—15 in favour of Auckland, but, though vanquished, Victoria had cause to feel proud of a splendid performance.

Canterbury and Otago were evenly matched, and throughout the game both sides scored in quick succession, Otago winning by a narrow margin.

The Victoria team soon gained a lead over Otago, but in spite of the final score of 27—6 in V.U.C.'s favour, the game was keenly contested. In the Canterbury v. Auckland match, too, the C.U.C. team was quickly mastered, but put up a game fight against the victorious Aucklanders.

From the Victoria team, Captain Pixie Higgin was chosen for a N.Z.U. Blue, and we heartily congratulate her on a well-deserved honour.

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