BASKETBALL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 May 1938, Page 4

BASKETBALL

WAIRARAPA ASSOCIATION MATCHES. The Wairarapa Basketball Association’s matches were continued last Saturday on the Wairarapa College grounds in brilliant and calm weather, conditions eminently suitable for the best display of the game. There were again a number of very uneven scores which indicate that some regrading by the executive is necessary. The best display of basketball so far this year has been given by the lona team whose speed and short, snappy passing are admirable. Two other strong teams, H.S.O.G. I and Stars I have had very uneven matches which make it hard to judge form, but the latter team still favour very long passes and there is little combination among the forwards. The results of Saturday’s games are as follow: — A Grade. Stars I beat T.O.G. 11, 40/1; Stars II beat H.S.O.G. 11, 16/14; lona beat T.O.G. I, 35 to nil; H.S.O.G. I beat College 111, 52/3. B Grade. Dalefield and lona drew, 7 all; Hospital beat Stars, 25/11; College 111 forfeited to Carterton. The Stars I v. T.O.G. II match saw some flashes of speed and hard play. The Stars I defenders are very strong and sure, but it will be interesting to see them up against really good forwards. N. Mouat is a striking player who jumps well and throws hard. In fact the three Mouat sisters are a great asset to basketball. E. Jones showed herself an accurate thrower of goals, but she lacks vim in field play. The Stars II v. H.S.O.G. II game was the best one of the afternoon, as the teams were evenly matched. But for bad luck in shooting earlier in the game Old Girls would have von. Their team work was the best, but Stars possess a very fine thrower and hard worker in M. Mouat, who was responsible for practically all the goals. N. Brown for Old Girls, was an outstanding forward and also V. Cairns played well in the centre. There was too much personal contact in this game.

The lona team put up a very pretty display of basketball against T.O.G. I. The latter team is having bad luck so far, but contains some good individual players, 'who, with practice, will soon improve the team’s scores. The understanding among the lona forwards was good. P. Hanley was interesting to watch, she follows up well, plays hard and throws accurately. The lona defenders are also outstanding; E. Talbot worked hard and followed up well, and was supported effectively by B. Stitt and H. Beech.

H.S.O.G. I had a very poor match, as the College 111 team was really not up to A grade standard. The Old Girls team promises to be very strong this year and it is good to see N. Cohen and L. Renner well up to their old form. The College girls are to be commended for their plucky struggle. The Old Girls passing is far too slow and will have to speed up a good deal. The only B grade match on the College grounds was the Dalefield v. lona one, a close struggle, with some bright spots. Both teams are promising, the Dalefield combination is good, but the shooting of the forwards was inaccurate. I. Zillwood and E. Garrett were the outstanding players.

All players are asked to note that punctuality is essential. Referees have been asked to. commence all matches at the advertised time, whether teams are complete or not.