SENIOR A COMPETITION

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 121, 25 May 1933, Page 19

SENIOR A COMPETITION

WELLINGTON EAST LEAD

LAST WEEK'S GAMES

By defeating Wesley on Saturday, [tvallingtou East are practically certain pi retaining their position at the head f>£ the senior A competition for the first lound, as they have defeated successively Wesley, Kia Ora, and University. Tho match on Saturday was hardfought from start to finish, the college team showing just that extra strength reqdired to give them a lead of -I goals. '.The formidable defence of the winners made it difficult for the Wesley for-' trards to mauoeuvre for good shootiug positions. Wellington East's success was due in large measure to their defenders' ability to intercept and frustrate strong attacks at goal. Almost as etrong was the Wesley defence. U. Ussher saved well and often in the Wesley centre. The score was: Wellington East Old Girls I 16, Wesley 12. jMrs. Granger controlled the game. Uni.verpi.ty 's tall defence proved too strong for the forwards of the Wellington East II team, and few opportunities to shoot were allowed. Kepeatedly, good combined work by the losers failed when near the goal, passes being tipped or intercepted easily by U. Wilson and .(,'. Turner. The llrst half was very Jnuch in University's .favour, their forward third giving their best exhibition of tho season. Tho inclusion of J. Watson appeared to bo ail advantage to the combined work in this third. Wellington Bast centre and defence were quick, in attack and defence. B. Olphert again showed her speed and sureness■ in University's centre third. In the second half of tho game, with the score against them 10-1, Wellington East improved considerably and kept their opponents' score down, the fiual result being: University 17, Wellington East Old Girls II 9. Mrs. Granger referecd. , Haeremai won by a comfortable' margin from. Technicol College Old Girls, who were not in good scoring form. The activity and speed of Haeremai's defence and centra gave few opportunities for interception onco an attacking jn&vement was started. From the commencement Technical were forced to play a defensivo game. Tho fiual score Was 20-13 in favour of Haeremai. Mr.' Eoyce was in charge of the game. Wellington Courts. Reports from all over the Dominion tend to show that Wellington, the largest association iii New Zealand, is ■one of'the last to have its own grounds. The other major associations, Auckland, Canterbury,. Otago, Southland, and Hawke's Bay, do not have to rely irn school courts for the playing of gamos, and this applies to most of tho smaller associations. Tha Taranaki, Poverty Bay, Ashburton, South Canterbury, Marlborough, and Wairoa Associations all report success iv obtaining grounds. Wellington, .with 116 teams, not counting secondary school teams, is in a worse plight than Wairoa, *rhich-has only eight teams. Although the question of grounds is a much more •difficult problem in Wellington because of tho large number of teams and the scarcity of available grounds, basketball players here have not received the, fcopsideratiou-duc to them.,- P-Jayers.»<iu* 3.93Q were enthusiastic-enough to raise' :£250 towards the laying out of grounds, and the money in the grounds ;iund is lying idle. It is to be hoped that the efforts to gain courts will bo '{successful in the near future. gtanclard of Play. . The majority of: teams this year are Jacking ' combination.- 'Particularly is this so ..in the lower grades, where '.fumbling^ with the ball spoils much of the play. Practice in tho accurate (handling 6t 'the ball is vitally necesk'iry, and ff6m observation very few of Ithc players receive sufficient practice. Players should remember that a friendly practice game- without continual ■(practice in- passing, and definite team ■tactics will gain them little. Also,, a great number of players are not as fit as they should be, and they would be M-ell advised to practice skipping, run■piugi jumpinp, or some other physical exercise if they arc desirous of beconi: ing good players. Too many players Jurn up for their game on Saturday

without having practised or trained during the week, so cau it be wondered at that during a match one sees girls who are distressed after a short time of strenuous play1? Annual Tournament. As a result of June 3 falling on a Saturday this year, one round of competition matches will have to stand over. From present indications tho Wellington Association's annual tournament will draw a full number of entries, and it ia expected that this year's tournament will bo as popular as it has proved in the past. Games will commence at 9.30 a.m. and will continues all day. KiUea. The following are a few more rules which have been , under discussion lately:— "Blocking is impeding the progress of a player not in possession of the ball." A player is n.ot allowed to impede another player's progress by facing her and dodging so as to provent her receiving a pass. "When the ball from the throw-off goes into tho end third "without being touched, a free pass from the third Hue where the ball crossed it is given to the opposing side." "Tho ball may bo bounced downwards or batted upwards onco with one hand, and caught by the same player before taking possession." Too many players bounce t.hu ball twice and then wonder why they are penalised. (iNo player shall throw the ball and play it before it Ims been touched by another player, except after an attempt' at goal." .