Basketball. HIGH SCORING

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 111, 27 May 1937, Page 14

Basketball. HIGH SCORING

"Centre,"

St. Matthew's Secure 42 Goals in 40 Minutes PLAY IMPROVES

(By

Considerahle improvement in play in all divisions was shown in the haskethall games last week. The most noticeahle feature was the exceptionaUy high scoring in all matches. On Thursday, with the exception of one match, all the winning teams secured 20 goals or more, and on Saturday in every match this waa also achieved. This is a remarkable oceurrence, and it is a long time since such high scoring was seen an our games. This gives credit to our forwards this eeason. Thuxs&ay's Games. SL Mat/thews' forwards were the heroines of the scoring board on Thursday, registering the highest score that I am aware of being reached at Ebbett Park in any game. To score 42 goals in 40 minutes shows that the members of this team are consistent and took full advantage of thedr weaker opponente, and did not take things easy when the game was. theirs beyond doubt. The St. Matthews Club is deserving of praise for having remained in the association. As it was only two seasons, ago that they were being beaten week after week by scores such as 20 to 1. In the Eoachs-H.SiO.G. match good passing on both eides was not followed up by the deserved goal, the defence in both teams playing excellently. The shooting, however, was not of the best in this game, but the field work required the forwards' every effort. Old Girls were unfortunate to lose Audrey Emjfierson soon after the commencement of the game. This player sprained her ankle rathor badly and we wish her a speedy recovery. Old Girls played- short for some time, and eventuallv played an emergency player, but were unable to make up the ecoring that they had undoubtedly lost. Convent Old Girls and Havelock had a very even game, one which was most interesting to wateh. Convent Old Girls kept the lead throughout, despite the untiring efforts of their opponents. Havelock appeared to cramp loo mueh on the side lines instead of using the whole court.

Better Oombinataon, Swifts played a much-improved game against Woolworths, their combination and field work being much better than when they lost to H.S.O.G. Woolworths' shooting is not their 6trongest point, but good work was noticeable in tho centre. The Baptist players had an easy win cver O.G. B, the latter appearing to tire very quickly in the second half. Their shooting was hardly up to standard, the forwards not playing nearly as well as in their last match. Saturday's Games, No fewer than 117 goals were scored in the three first-grade matches, and 75 dn the two eec'ond-grade matches played. Havelock A head the ust so far, with 30 gQhls in their match on Saturday. Their forwards are all last year's intermediate players, and they are playing exceptionally good games. B. Butcher is their best forward, being quick in her field work and sure of her goal. •West End scored 29 goals against High School's 17, mainly through the sure shooting of V. Wall. This player show6„ temarkable accuracy in some games, but is not consistent. A good standard of play was shown by both teams, the handling of the ball was clean in most cases, and interception brilliant. The half-timo score was 13 — 7. F. Struthers is now playing for West End, but she did not snow any brilliancy in this matea as it is her first this season. Misdirected passing and dropping the ball were two faults noticeable in her case. The High School team comprises short girls, but they are not afraid of jumping for the ball. A good deal of personal contact was noticed on both sides, more so among the "West End players. When referees coaimence being strict on this rule the West End team will, I am afraid, be the most penalised. High School Old Girls A, with their 27 goals against Convent Old Girls' S, also showed that their forwards can shoot M. McAleese showed herself up in a new light in this match, as a forward. She fed the other goalies with her excellent field work, and could she throw goals like clubmate M. Lorrigan, she would stand among the very best heTe. The Convent Old Girls forwards appear to leave too much to N. Porter, who, however, is a great asset to her team. Short, quick passes were very effective in this game, and it was pleasing to seo so few penalties awarded to either side. The half-time/ score was 17 — 5.

In the B grade, H.S. B1 loet to Havelock by 20 goals to 11, and here again the short passes were much in evidenoe. Long pas'sing, however, is very seldom seen in any of the Higli School teams and other teams would do well to eliminate them unlcss in very gpecial circumstances. Convent defeated West End by 20 to 18, and it is very pleasing to see Miss T. Eves taking part in the refereoing. She rofereed this match, and we hope to see her in this capacity again before long. Rule Books A plentiful supply of now rule books are on hand. and these may be purchased from anv of the officials. Players are advised to have a rule book and study it, as there is a lot to bo learned by so doinc. Jime 9 Toumament. It is proposed to hold tho ueuai tournament on the K'ing's Birthday, and club secretaries are asked to post to Miss Wilkie not later than Thursday, June 3, the number of teams her club l» entering for this tournament.