BASKETBALL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 April 1939, Page 8

BASKETBALL

WAIRARAPA ASSOCIATION COMPETITION PLAY IN OPENING GAMES. KEEN CONTESTS IN A GRADE. The initial games in the first round of the Wairarapa Basketball Association’s competition were played on Saturday last, resulting as follows: — A grade:—lona beat College B 23/7; College A beat High School Old Girls, 10/B;Stars beat Collegians, 19/7. B grade —Belvedere beat College Colts. 13/7; College C beat Technical Old Girls. 16/6; Stars beat Hospital, 16/10; lona beat Greytown, 24/9; College D won by default from Carterton. Although the scores were somewhat uneven in some cases, all the A grade games were extremely interesting and hard fought. The best match was College A v High School Old Girls, which was in doubt right to the end. Had High School Old Girls forwards struck form in the first half of the game they would have probably won, but halftime saw the score 7/2 against High School Old Girls, their forwards missing their shots again, and again. This is, of course, due to lack of facilities for constant practice, and here the school girls have a great advantage. The High School Old Girls defenders were excellent, especially L. Renner, whose interceptions showed an adaptability to the new game. High School Old Girls’ throwing is too high and long, and wastes time, which the opponents occupy in getting into position. The best play of the match was seen in the centre, all six players showing promising form. At first the College centres, R. Edwards, O. Hendry and M. McLaren, did not get going, and there was muddled play for a few minutes, and then their training told and the machine-like precision of the centre was good to watch. H. Winter (Old Girls) and J. Russell (Old Girls) fought hard all the time and occasionally brought off some fine interceptions. For College, C. Shearer and M. Carroll intercepted well, also in l the defence third. In the improved form of the Old Girls’ forward third toward the end of the game J. Hoar showed to great .advantage. College B gave lona a really good game, better than the score indicates. Again the positional play of College was admirable, especially in the centre where O. Richards, J. Russell and P. Hunter were by no means outplayed by the older and more experienced girls. For lona M. Eastwood showed excellent form, also M. Greenlees, whose steady play is extremely useful though not so spectacular as some.

The lopa forwards showed fine combination. ' It is good to see R. Percyback at the game, and also to see P. Kilmister playing forward again. In this game it was noticeable that lona, in attaining great speed in passing, often stepped while in possession, and also did a great deal of foot movement before passing. In this game, and in others, too, it was obvious that few girls understand the best way to take a. tie ball. It was often merely batted with one hand. There was also an outbreak of one-handed throwing among the lona forwards. It will be interesting to see if this is due to the greater security felt by forwards now that no defence is allowed. The Stars v Collegians match showed the Collegians too slow and meditatave in movement. This team is most uneven, but will undoubtedly show improved form before long. J. Gemmell, H. Howes and B. Linton did good work. For Stars J. Staines and E, Jones played very well indeed. In this game blocking was very evident. The new game still forbids this, and players are advised to look up the rule. In the B grade College Colts gave Belvedere a splendid game, and the younger girls formed a most promising team. Among the forwards for College D. Heckler played a quick and intelligent game, and in the centre H. Douglas was alert and speedy._As a defender D. Priest is very promising indeed. For Belvedere the captain, J. Neilson played a good game. So did J Benge, but she has the one-handed throwing style. The Belvedere team is advised to adopt the straight, quick pass, using the shoulder muscles Both teams were inclined to run with the ball. , , The Stars v Hospital match was a very good one, the teams being fairly evenly matched. For the Hospital the . best players .were C. Meoylan, ana H. Hamilton (very active centres) and N. Franks (forward). J. Staines played well among the Star forwards. It was very unfortunate that Carterton, a most promising team, had to default on account of influenza seriously affecting the players. All players are asked to note that in the event of postponement of play a notice will be in J. Elliot’s window between 11 a.m. and noon on Saturday.