Lack Of Training Shows In Women’s Basketball

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30740, 3 May 1965, Page 20

Lack Of Training Shows In Women’s Basketball

Competition games in all the women’s basketball grades began on Saturday, but teams contesting the senior competition quickly revealed their lack of training for full length competition games and, in most cases, play was erratic and deteriorated quickly.

West B and St. Nicholas drew, Sacred Heart defeated Teachers’ College unconvincingly, and Technical, alone, showed the fire and determination expected of senior teams by defeating a tiring New Brighton side. Last year's competition winner, West A, had the bye. Results: ’■ St. Nicholas U> West ■ U. Sacred Heart 32, Teachers' College 26. Technical 34, New Brighton 29. St. Nicholas v. West B The lack of match play was clearly apparent in the first half of the opening game, and both St. Nicholas and West B were slow to find form. Poor positional play. Incredibly careless passing and little combination made the early stages of this game very drab, but as the teams settled down, careless infringements increased, and at times the game became very willing.

Largely through the capable play of its captain, L. Weastell, St. Nicholas made determined efforts to tighten its attack, and its play steadied as its lead increased to four goals. The St. Nicholas defence, S. Jones and R. Inwood, gave good support by their recovery of rebounds, but their rather tentative efforts, considering their height, at Intercepting shots at goal, allowed the West forwards great leniency, which they failed to exploit, and St. Nicholas led, 10-6, at half-time.

St. Nicholas retained its lead for several minutes, but West's forwards, S. Dunn and L. Dawson, gradually gained dominance over the St. Nicholas defence, which wilted badly at this vital stage. West’s defence.

L. Farr and S. Kenyon, enjoyed more success tn this half with their efforts to intercept shots at goal, and were rewarded for their tenacity when the St. Nicholas forwards missed with easy shots. West’s attack functioned more smoothly as the half progressed, and tn the closing stages both S. Dunn and L. Dawson goaled well to bring the scores level, at 14-alI. St. Nicholas tried hard to regain the Initiative, but West was equally determined, and the final score, 18-8, was a fitting result. Referee: Mrs A. Morgan. Taachers’ College v. Sacred Heart As in the previous game the early stages were quite inconclusive and neither team seemed willing to take the initiative. Gradually Sacred Heart’s superior passing pierced the College defence, and with little support coming from the College centres. Sacred Heart was able to exploit and capitalise on this unexpected bonus. The forwards, J. Martin and K. O’Connell, with thoughtful support from the reliable H. Glubb and good positional play by the centre, M. Dyhrberg. dominated this spell, and their good shooting, generally from the easiest positions, placed Sacred Heart in a strong position by half-time when it led. 20-11.

Play in the second half was in complete contrast to that of the first spell. Their difficulties resolved, the College centres, S. Langrope, H. Pooley and D. Roberts, now managed to keep their opponents well checked and in support of their determined play, the College defence, B. Donnelly and L. Warnes, kept the strong Sacred Heart forwards subdued.

As Sacred Heart’s combination faltered, the College forwards, J. Morrison and A. Skilling, found form and easily eluded the Sacred Heart defence to goal well. In the closing stages a tiring Sacred Heart side rallied slightly and was able to retain its reduced lead until the final whistle. Referee, Mrs B. Little. New Brighton v. Technical Both teams fielded many players new to senior basketball, and it was soon apparent that New Brighton had failed to utilise its experienced players to the best advantage. The Technical forwards, with two inexperienced New Brighton defence the only obstacle, found conditions much to their liking in the early stages. Technical’s J. Kimber was In splendid form, and with a newcomer, S. Norman, displaying good earlyseason form, Technical gained a four-goal lead. Play became fast and interesting as New Brighton, as always, fought back strongly. With strong support from the experienced J. Brownie and N. Neiman, New Brighton’s forwards, J. Blair and L. Price, a combination of many years' standing, were given many scoring chances, but the Technical defence, C. Brown and a newcomer. J. Mcßeth, did not yield easily, and New Brighton was forced to exert every skill to level the score to 15-15 at half-time. Play in the second half was fast and willing. Technical’s superior fitness proved a decisive factor in this half and with the captain, C. Brown, astutely directing play, Technical's superiority was soon obvious in

all thirds and it was not troubled to increase its lead to five goals which was retained for most of this half. In the circumstances it was suprising that New Brighton s obvious defence weakr ess was not remedied, as both M. Netman and J. Brownie could have given this third the vitality and determination it lacked. Referee, Mrs B. Ditfort.