BASKETBALL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 148, 8 June 1935, Page 12

BASKETBALL

SATURDAY MATCHES

Juniors Good Goal Throwing

SCHOOL AND OTANE DRAW

(Ry

“Centre.”)

In the basketball matches on Saturday, the most noticeable feature was the excellent goal throwing by juniors teams. Their field work, of course, left room for improvement, but the actual goal throwing really was excellent. It seemed to be seldom that a shot at goal was unsuccessful, and this could not be said of most of the forwards in the senior grades.

A remark was heard from the sideline, “These folk must practice 24 hours in the day I” Tne steady, sure way in which many junior forwards tnrow goal alter goal makes one think that tuey certainty practice lor some time every day. And the value of such practice is to be teen in the results.

Havelock A2 played well against West End, especially in the early stages of tne game, out gradually the experience anu tactics cl the West Enders enabled them to draw ahead. N. Butcher, forward lor Havelock, played well, both her field work and goal-throwing being good. West End's defence, N. Clark, I'. Berry and J. Pepper, make a good sound combination, and they give very few opportunities to opposing forwards. The halftime score was 11 to 5 to \\ est End and eventually increased to 26 to 9.

The High School A v. Otane game woe the most exciting match ot the afternoon, especially in the second hall when the score kept even. The halftime score was 9 to 5 to Otane, but the Scholars made a determined stand in the second halt and managed to draw even with Otane, the final tcore being 15 all. E. Moore and B. Robottom again played well as forwards for Ocane, and M. Burge, defence for High School, was outstanding. Her interceptions and sound deience proved hampering to the country forwards. The meeting of the two High School Old Girls’ teams was a one-sided affair owing to the fact that the seconds were one lorward short. This is to be regretted as the good work by their centres and especially their deience was unavailing. The two forwards in the No. 2 team are to be commended on their stern fight against the opposition s defence. G. Howard was the outstanding player in the centre third. G. Jenkins worked well, but offended badly by wild passing, her balls repeatedly going straight into the hands of the opposing deience. N. Lomas sometimes offended in this direction also. R. Pearson was responsible for good field work. The final score was 32—5 in favour of the No. 1 team.

The High School Bl v. Havelock game was more even than the score, 14—3, indicated. Havelock were one short in the forward third. This greatly handicapped them. The Village centres and deience played well, at times more than holding their own. The two small forwards, B. Manley and M. Butcher, fought valiantly against the three tall High School defence. It is a pity the Havelock team was not at full strength, ns the chances of a good game were thereby spoilt. C Grade Matches. High School Cl v. High School C2: The C2 team proved that they were definitely superior to Cl. They had the beet of the game throughout, and led easily all the way. Perhaps the strongest part of C2 team are the forwards, who play well both on the field and in their goal-throwing. A. Wiggins and P. Tyers as defence also played a good sound game. The most outstanding player in Cl was P. Payne in the centre,, whose catching and pasting is very sure. The final score was 22 to 13 to C2. High School C 3 v. Convent Cl: This was not a very interesting game from the spectators’ point of view, as Convent Cl had easily the best of the game, and their forwards just threw goal after goal. The final score was 36 to 3 to Convent Cl. Otane C v. Havelock C: The goalgrowing by Otane forwards was a feature of this game, especially that of M. Scrimenger, who seldom missed a shot at goal. The whole team played well, and although Havelock team made every effort they could not get ahead. The score was 24 to 14 to Otane. A. Cook, defence for Havelock, played a good game, and is a stronger player in this position than in her old position as centre. Seven-a-side Tournament. One June '3, under ideal conditions, the Hastings Basketball Association held its annual seven-a-side tournament In all, thirty-five teams competed in the’four grades. Special praise can be given, lor the punctual way in which the teams took the field, and for the true sporting spirit in which the games were played. An Unusually large number of interested spectators Were treated to many spectacular games. Thanks are due to the executive, the Referees’ Association, the official scorers, and to the member of the St. John’s Ambulance Association.

In the junior grade many interesting games resulted, and a good standard of basketball is played by those teams. The final game between Convent Cl and High School C2 proved most exciting, Convent winning by four goals to three.

Teams playing in the intermediate grade came from both Saturday and Thursday competitions, and this is the only day in the year in which they have a chance to play one another. So the games and their results were watched with keen intercet. The final was between High School Bl and Convent B, and resulted in a win to High School by 10 goals to 7. Games in the senior B grade were keenly contested, teams winning only by narrow margins. Woolworths played splendidly to reach the final, where they met Rangers. This game was fast and exciting, Rangers finally winning by 4 to 3. Basketball in the A section is always of a high standard, and all games were well worth watching. The final game between West End and Havelock Al was probably the best game of the day, and after a hard-fought tussle, West End gained the victory by four goals to three.