BASKETBALL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 163, 26 June 1935, Page 12

BASKETBALL

MID-WEEK COMPETITION Keen Games at Hastings WEAKNESS IN PASSING (By “Centro.”) Interesting games were to lie seen on Thursday in the Hastings basketball competitions, many of the scores being very close and play generally was of a high standard. Watching the games last Thursday, the predominant fault generally was the poor passing by the defence. It is so much worthless effort to work hard to gain possession of the ball only to make a present of it to the opposing centre players. If your own centres are not clear, retain the ball for the three seconds allowable, thereby giving your team-mates time to manoeuvre into a suitable position to receive the pass. Nothing is gained by a very swift pass which is misdrected.

Play in the early stage between G.U.G. and Beata Ils was very even, but Old Girls, who were playing without their usual forwards, settled down to one another’s play and asserted their superiority to steadily draw ahead. Old Girls’ defence, K. O’Connor, M. Lomas and H. Begley, played a great game, intercepting and combining well. Their team mates, M. Harley and N. Porter, executed some smart field work. M. Harley is a very quick player and found no trouble in shaking off her defence. W. Walker, defence, and V. Dew, forward, played good games for Beatalls.

The H.S.O.G. v. Swifts A game was very even and exciting, the final issue being in doubt till the last whistle. The centres of both teams played well, G. Giles, for Old Girls, and D. Robertson, for Swifts, doing good, consistent work. Swifts’ defence were working hard but spoilt their good work by passing carelessly, thereby giving a great deal to their opponents. Had the ball found its mark a little more often than it did so the final result would have been different. The Swift forwards were definitely off their shooting though their field work was very good. U. Bateman played a splendid defence for Swifts and A. Wilkie was a sure shot for Old Girls, who won 17 —16. The meeting of Havelock A and Rangers was a pleasing game to watch, members of both aides doing their utmost and showing good team work. The Villagers were ono short in the forward third, and the two forwards, P. McKeown and P. Walker, did wonderful work against the three splendid Rangers’ defence. A feature of the game was the spectacular goal-throw-ing at, and behind, the 12tt. line by the Havelock forward, P. McKeown. H. Blyth proved too much for N. Ballard, beating her at every jump. Rangers’ centre, G. Thow, played well. Here again the scoring was exceptionally close, the final count being Havelock 13, Rangers 12.

B Grade Carnes. C.O.G. B v. Swifts B: Not a very interesting game, as neither team was playing well, wild passing and caxeless play marring the game. The three forwards lor Old Girls lost many an opportunity to score through faulty goalthrowing, and it must have been very disheartening to the rest of the team. In the second half of the game the standard improved, and surer passing was seen. M. Shaw, defence for Swifts, played a good, sound game, and her height is an asset when play gets near the post. For Old Girls, N. Black was outstanding, and on her play in this game was the pick of the team. R. Flynn ably supported her in defence.

H.S.O.G. B v. McKenzies: This game provided great interest to both spectators and players. Old Girls took the field with one forward short, this upsetting McKenzies’ defence. Both teams had good centres, who worked hard to increase their lead, M. Wyness being one of the outstanding centres; she also watched carefully before passing the ball to the forwards. Old Girls’ main strength lay in their two forwards who played exceptionally well. McKenzies’ weakness lay in their defence, who did not jump enough for the ball when near the opposition’s goal. Tho game ended with the score reading H S-O.G. 14, McKenzies 11 Havelock B v. St. Matthews: Havelock took the field with one player short, but proved to be good opposition for St. Matthews. The Villagers did some very swift and pretty passing on several occasions, but St. Matthews were on the alert and intercepted well, this being noticed especially in the defence third. St. Matthews possess good forwards, who do their field work as well as their shooting. For Havelock, G. Rose played well as centre, anti passed quickly, which is a good point to remember. St. Matthews played a good, open game which proved beneficial to them. The final whistle blew with tho score reading: St. Matthews 17 and Havelock B 4. Players For Practice.

The following players are asked to report for practice at 4.15 p.m. tomorrow at Ebbett Park: —J. Robertson. P. McKeown, M. Harley, A. Wilkie, M. Lewis, A. Anderson, I. Anderson, H. Blyth, G. Giles, O. Hannah, P. Smith, G. Thow, A. Brimmer, G. Hayward ,E. Carter, J. Avison, H. Begley, E. Walker, E. Bateman, K. Morton, U. Smith,