BASKETBALL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 July 1939, Page 8

BASKETBALL

WAIRARAPA COMPETITIONS. SATURDAY’S RESULTS. The Wairarapa basketball games were continued on Saturday afternoon when some good play was provided for the spectators. RESULTS AT A GLANCE. A Grade. lona. 16, Stars 13. College A 33, Collegians 13. H.S.O.G. 14, College B 8. B Grade. lona 25, Carterton 14. Belvedere 22, College C 7. Greytown Hospital 38. College D 6. Stars 19, Grey town 10. College Colts won by default from Hospital. COMMENT ON THE PLAY. Keen games were witnessed and the match between lona and Stars was full of excitement from the beginning to end. It is the first defeat Stars have suffered for three years. Stars this year are the winners of the A grade. In the first spell lona were on top, the shooting of the Stars’ goals being poor. They seemed to be over anxious to ring the shots. Nevertheless the defence of Stars saved the situation time and time again and they played valiantly. The lona goal had a perfect combination and from the outset of the game were well on their shooting. Betty Stitt has improved greatly and is giving now a better field game than previously. At half time the score was 9—3 in lona’s favour. The second spell saw Stars at their best and had they played this game in the first spell would have doubtless run out the winners. The lona goal and Stars defence were well matched and each one in this third played excellent basketball. This spell was a very even one with the odds in Star’s favour. M. Rutherford, the Star centre, played with confidence, but she had .not quite enough support to allow her team to be superior in this third. The lona centres gave a good display. Maureen Eastwood is not playing up to her usual standard. At present she is suffering from an injured ankle which is affecting her play considerably. She should rest it for a while before going down to the New Zealand tournament.

Against Collegians College A were definitely superior in passing and combination. The goals were well on form with Pat Baskiville playing brilliantly. College A gave a pretty display of basketball with their quick and short passes and they are certainly learning the correct way to play basketball which is pleasing for young players. The interceptions of Maureen Carrol in the defence were a feature of the game. Collegians are a much improved team and next year they should have benefited considerably by this year’s experience. They play with a good team spirit, and although they have had losses all this year, nevertheless all their club teams would like to see them win a match.

The HiS.O.G.' team' and College 'B was a very evenly contested match. For a clean game not one girl was penalised for personal contact. C. Butler and L. Renner in the defence, and H. Winter and J. Russell in the centre, gave good displays. D. Hathaway held the College centre together and was well supported by P. Cody. Rewa Sharp has the making of a good goal but at the present she gets far too excited when handling the ball, with the result that her passing suffers.

B Grade.

The B grade started on (heir second championship round with Stars and Greytown staging an evenly contested game. The B grade teams are improving considerably in their type of play. In the first half play was of an even nature, but the Stars team improved their game and ran out winners. The play of M. Emerson was good in the Star's defence. In this team there are some promising young players and more should be heard of them in the future. J. Stains. D. Howes and D. Dickason went well. P. Graham, in the Greytown team, played a good game in the 'centre. The Greytown team are showing improvement in every match. lona, the leaders in the second grade, defeated Carterton. The goal of lona is sure, but two-handed goaling would produce better results. It is as well for young players who show ability to learn the correct way to play. Belvedere outclassed College C. College C did not have their usual team and this seemed to have a temperamental effect on the team, more so because their captain was away. Belvedere enjoy their game immensely and this team is to be congratulated on being one of the best' turned-out team in appearance. Their costumes are always neatly pressed and other teams could take a lesson from them. 1 Mona Parker gave a good sound display in the defence with M. Walsh and C. Beere giving her support. Greytown Hospital easily defeated College D. This team were the bigger girls and the little girls of College D did not have much hope against their opponents. The shooting of Greytown Hospital was accurate and each girl in the forward third ringed her shots with precision.

It was a pity that the College Colts and the referee went to Lansdowne to play the Hospital only to be disappointed. A team when defaulting should always notify the president or secretary of the Association who can then get in touch with the other team concerned.