BASKETBALL

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 46, 23 August 1926, Page 5

BASKETBALL

SATURDAY'S MATCHES

Results of Saturday's basketball matches are:—

Intermediate Semi-finals. Wellington Girls' College 22, Knox: 20. St. James's 29, Wesley 9. Wellington East Girls College 49, Newtown Congregational 8. Wellington East Girls' College 15, St. James 6. Junior Semi-finals. Technical College A 27, Taita 22. Kia Ora 24, Hutt Valley High School 9. St. David's 24, Technical College .A 15. St. David's 18, Wesley 10. NOTES ON THE GAMES.

Wellington Girls' College A v. Kuox was a fast -anil evenly contested game. The standard of play was not high, as both teams depended almost entirely on long, wild passes. C. Manson (College) was easily the better of the two .lumping centres, and, despite the fact that she was the smaller, she caught the ball again and again from the toss up, thus Raining a big advantage for her team. She was well supported by D. Bell. E. Morrison was the strongest player in the College defence. For Knox, J. Wilson played a brilliant game at defence, and E. Ness, in goals, was undoubtedly the best player on the field. She was ever alert for a possible opening through which to advance the ball to the goal, and was responsible for some very fine poal throwing. St. James y. Wesley.—Wesley. made many conscientious attempts to win the game by combined play, the centre players being responsible for some good passing bouts. The team, however, was weak in the goal third, and was unable to get the ball within shooting distance of the ring St. James indulged in long unscientific passing, but through their alertness were.'usually successful in securing the ball from scrambles. M. Frederick, Wesley defence, was the best player on the field. Wellington East Girls' College v. Newtown Congregational—Although New town Congregational scored the first goal, it was apparent from the outset that it would be a different task for them to outplay the College team, who, with quick, short passing, gave a good exhibition. This team has splendid combination, and shows evidence of excellent coaching. Newtown were brilliant in patches, but wasted too many advantages through long passes which gave their opponents opportunities of intercepting. The defenders worked well, but did not use sufficient judgment in passing to the centres. Wellington Bast Girls' College v. St. James.—This was a close game, in which the College team won through their superiority in combination. St. James played well also, and the game provided some exciting play. This victory leaves the East College team in the finals of the championship with Wellington Girls' College. Judging from previous results, the East Girls' College ought to win.

Junior Semi-finals. Technical College v. Taita.—This game was a poor exhibition. The passing lacked erispness and the ball was on the ground far too often. A more open style of play '.vould benefit both teams. Passing the ball over a complete third was too frequent, and many penalties resulted. The match was very even, and up to the last stages of the game either team might have won. The final score waa 27-22, in favour of Technical College. Wesley v. St. David's. —These _ teams have players of promise. St. David's defence was good, but the passing from the centre was too wide for their goals _to make the best use of their opportunities. Both teams showed a splendid team spirit. Wesley's passing was very fine, specially good work being done by the defenders, although many of the opportunities they gained were lost by fumbling the ball in ihe centre third. The score at half-time was —St. David's 18, Wesley 10, and at the end of the second spell St. David's 18. Wesley 16. Kia Ora and Hutt Valley High School.— Kia Ora are the more active .team, and were unlucky in not winning by a larger margin. In the first spell goal after goal was missed by inches, and the half-time score stood 4-2 in Kia Ora's favour. The Hutt centre players made no serious attempt to mark their opponents, and allowed the opposing .defence an open channel through, which to pass the ball to their goals. * St. David's v. Technical College match was rather a poor display. Neither team played up to its usual standard. St. David's and Kia Ora will play off for the junior championship next Saturday. 'VARSITY v. AUCKLAND TRAINING COLLEGE.

The match between 'Varsity and Auckland Training.College, played«at Kelburn School on Thursday, before a large number of spectators, was an exhibition of basketball at its best. The Auckland team played an excellent game throughout, using crisp, sure passing, and their combination, which they have reduced to a fine art, completely outclassed that of 'Varsity in the second half. The first half of the game was evenly contested, _ however, for 'Varsity were playing brilliantly then and at half-time the score stood at Auckland 25, 'Varsity 22. 'After half-time Auckland, by speeding up their centre work, gave their goals more opportunities of scoring. The coals were accurate shooters, and rarely missed scoring when they obtained the ball. 'Varsity goals did not clear their defence sufficiently for scoring purposes, and the 'final result was—Auckland 57, 'Varsity 30.