BASKETBALL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 154, 15 June 1932, Page 9

BASKETBALL

HASTINGS COMPETITIONS LAST SATURDAY’S GAMES. COMMENT ON THE PLAY. Saturday’s play concluded the competition for the first round, and the growing interest that is being taken in basketball was shown by the appreciable increase In attendance of spectators. Comments on the principal games are:— H.S.O.G. A 22 v. H.S. A 17: This match was a very exerting one, and caused much enthusiasm. Although O.G. were victorious over the present pupils on June 3, there was some doubt as to whether they would repeat this performance in the full-time match, and the score at half-time being 11—8 in favour of High School several seemed to think the game was over. However, this was not the case. To begin the match O.G. lost the toss, School choosing the goal, but O.G. were able to open the score after quick passing into the forward third. H.S. got busy and scored ■ two goals in succession. Quick passing by the centres and forwards gained a further goal for O.G. H.S. were playing well and seemed to settle to the game much sooner than O.G. M. Diamond did not nearly equal her usual standard in the first half, but L. Bickley was in good form. V. Gloyn played exceptionally well, her throwing being always sure. On resuming after half-time O.G. settled down with no appearance of being disheartened, and worked hard to 1 even up the score. The H.S. centres’ passing was brilliant. For O.G. G. Jenkins in the centre played her best game to date. M. Diamond played a great game in the second half, and H.S. forwards found that they were able to score only six goals to O.G.’s 14. V. Gloyn was most unfortunate in being knocked nastily, necessitating her leaving the field seven minutes before the end of the game. 8. Mackenzie and G. Symes continued the game in this third, there being no available emergency. These two played a very good game under the handicapped position, scoring well. H.S. defence played a good combined game, M. Hull being particularly outstanding. The forwards showed their best form in the first half but seemed to lose vim in the second, and their shooting was not accurate. T. Eves was outstanding and combined well with J Hennah. The prettiest play was noticeable among the H.S. centres, who played well throughout. However, summing up the two teams, one would find it rather difficult to say just which of the two played the better, although the game resulted in a win for O.G. The game was very ably refereed by Mrs. Nesbit.

West End II v. C.O.G. 4: This game was more even than the score indicates, C.O.G. breaking down in their forward third. West End’s defence was much improved, P. Berry being particularly prominent. M. Henry was in her old place in West End’s centre, and has lost none of her skill. West End have lost the services of I. Cardio and will miss her in harder games, but sister Venus can play forward very well. M. McKain played her best game to date. For C.O.G. L. Spink was very much in evidence, doing the bulk of the. work in C.O.G. defence. C. Hannah takes the ball with precision and seems to clear well when attacking. INTERMEDIATE. Convent 12 v. H.S. B 12: These teams were very evenly matched and took some little while before settling down to the game. The passing was quick and clean, some brainy and pretty intercepting taking place by both teams. A. McKeegan did some good work in the centre for Convent, as did N. Lomas for H.S. The H.S. forwards worked well together, J. Chappell shooting several goals from along the back line. But for her size this player is well worthy of being in a senior team. Convent forwards also played well, although at times lacking in combination. N. Porter was the outstanding player in this third. Both teams’ defences played well. Although the score at half-time was in Convent’s favour the game resulted in a draw. H.S.O.G. (C) 9 v. West End 6: This game proved a very uninteresting one as far as good play was concerned, both teams indulging in wild passing. West End forwards threw four of their goals from beyond the twelve-feet line, a practice which is not encouraged. The forwards did not clear, and consequently there was no alternative but to shoot. H. McGregor played well in H.S.O.G. defence, and A. Gillman is strong, but does not take the game seriously. — Berry was very strong in West End Defence, intercepting many times. O.G. were not playing as they should, and the forwards lost many chances of adding to the score by taking too many long shots instead of passing in to the goal.