SPEEDY BASKETBALL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22079, 22 July 1946, Page 7

SPEEDY BASKETBALL

ROTORUA’S RECOVERY POVERTY BAY BEATEN COMPETITIONS PROGRESS An exciting representative game was a tealure of the Poverty Bay Basketball Association's fixtures on Saturday when the Koto run A team, after being four goals down hautime staged a splendid recovery to detent Poverty Bay by 10 goals to nine. In another closely-contested match St. Mary’s A defeated the Rotorua B Bide by seven goals to five. Details:— Friendly Matches.—St. Mary’s A 7 v. Rotorua 5; Rotorua A 30 v. Poverty Bay Heps. Te Karaka C 13 v. Swallows 3; Te Knraka 15 v. Rangers 10. B Grade.—Ayton House B 15 v. H.S.O.G. B 2; White Star 9 v. St. Mary's B 8; High School B 1 8 v. Texman 4; High School B 4 9 v. Nurses S; High School B 3 7 v. Marathon 7; High School B2 won by default from Adair’s. C GrAdc.—High School C 5 8 v. St. Mary’s C 25; High School C 4 21 v. St. Marys C 3 6: St. Mary’s Cl 13 v. High School C 6 6; Hign School C2 8 v. High School Cl 4; Ayton House C 6 v. Ivotare Cl 4; High School U 3 3 v. St. Mary’s C 4 8. Run of the Play Rotorua A v. Poverty Bay Reps, fhis game was one of the fastest seen on the courts for some time and the spectators enthusiastically showed their appreciation of the play, which was keenly contested from the start. . The Bay players had not practiced before the match and for their first time together, combination and passing were excellent. Rotorua had the advantage of good combined team play and their passing of the ball took a little getting accustomed to by the home players. Brilliant interceptions kept the ball flashing up and down the court, one of the main features being few infringements, the advantage rule often saving the game from coming to a standstill. At half-time tha score 1 stood at 7—3 in the Bay’s favour ; hut diiri/ig the second half Rotorua with clsver handling of the ball drew quickly up, end the game finished with Rotorua in the Hid by one goal. Miss V. Masemann refereed f he match. St. Mary's A V. Rotorua B.—Using swift ; ranges Rotorua made the pace fast from the throw off. St. Mary’s opened out to receive the ball and soon both teams had settled down to steady passing. Rotorua defence were strong and St. Mary’s forwards found it dimcult at times to manoeuvre the ball to the goal circle. Badly directed passes on both sides were quickly taken advantage of. "he first goal scored was a penalty shot awarded to Rotorua. Ten minutes elapsed before ot. Mary’s opened an account and at half-time the score stood at 3—2 in the home team s favour. Every plaver was on the alert tor the second half which was due to alertness and concentration on the game. Interception on both sides was good and the play was fa r t nnd even, the final score being St. Mary a 7.. Rotorua B 5. Mrs. H. McLeod refereed th> game. * s Leading Team Upset Nurses B v. High School 84.—84 deserve congratulations for their win over the leading team in thin grade. However, Nurses will still retain the lend by a short margin, Te Knraka C v. Swallows.—This friendly match was played in good spirit, the visitors proving their better combination and team nlay. The clean open plav gave the onlookers on enjoyable match to watch. Tc Karaka B v. Rangers.—Rangers did not give their opponents all their own way as can oe soon by the score. Team play was good on both sideß and the visitors had ft good match. Ayton House B v. H.S.O.G. B.—Ayton House Boon drew ahead and maintained a steady advantage over Old Girls nil the way. Old Girls lack team practice. White Star v. St. Mary’s B.—Competing for runner-up or winning honours in the B Grade section this match was a good one, all players doing their best. High School B 1 v. Texman.—-B1 seemed to take advanetage of qn easy team and did not display as good team work as usual. Taxman are improving in play and combination. Marathon v. High School B3.—The final score being a draw’, shows that these teams are evenly matched. Some good passing and team work was seen throughout the game. • St. Mary's C2 v. High School Cs.—Despite High School drawing ahead to win by three goals, the game was fairly even. The players jumping well and keeping court position®, St. Mary’s C 3 v. High School C 4 defence need to attack harder. Sounder combination would see a big improvement in their nlay. C 4 had good combination throughout the game and deserved to win, St. .Mary’s Cl v. High School C6.—Cl added yet another win to their good record as leaders of the C Grade. CG played well but surer passing would have helped them against this team. High School Cl v. High School C2.—These teams were much on a par in team work and passing. The game was even, C2 forwards working a little better in the goal circle. Ayton House v. Kotarc Cl. —This was an even match and the score kept low by several good interceptions which made the game keen. High School .03 v. St. Mary’s C4.—This game ended in a draw and was keenly con* tested. Both teams showed good passing tactics and their footwork was sure.