BASKETBALL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 144, 3 June 1936, Page 3

BASKETBALL

Standard of Thursday Games Improved THRILLS FOR ONLOOKERS v (By “Centre.") Definite improvement has been made in the standard of basketball in the Thursday competitions in Hastings and last week’s games were no exception. Many games were of high standard, and provided the onlookers with many thrills.

Tho game between C.O.G. A and Swifts A was a most exciting one, as tho score kept fairly even throughout. Swifts forwards did not get going in the first half, both their field work and goal-throwing being below their usual standard. Tho rest of tho team were playing well, with good passing in the centre. Old Girls’ defence were verysound, and their interception .was good. In the second half Swifts forwards made a wonderful recovery, and the game became intensely exciting as the scores became even. The centres of both teams were inclined to be rough, especially towards the close of the game. The final score was; Swifts 17, C.O.G. IG.

Roachs (15) v| H.S.O.G. (13) was the most interesting game of the day. Both teams took the field with an unbeaten record and both determined to maintain this. From the offset play was fast and even the passing displays by both teams at times was very good. At halftime the honours were even. On the resumption of the game play became very strenuous. The defence of both teams worked and combined very well. T. Struthers, A. Marigold and D. Toodall for Old Girls and E. Carter, M. Burge and A, Pearson, Roach’s rearguard, played good basketball. Likewise the forwards and centres; it, was hard to set one above the other, but an exception can be made in the case of G. Giles, who was the best centre on the field. This player is really the cog of Old Girls’ team. Play continued to bo even for the best part of the game, when Roach’s gained a one goal lead. At this stage a most unusual occurrence took place. Roach’s were taking the throw-in from tho back line; tho defending Old Girls’ player jumped and batted the ball in its flight and directed it right over and through her opponents’ goal, thereby giving Roach’s a two-goal lead. Play continued for a few minutes, no further goals being scored for either side. Congratulations are due to both teams on their play and to the forwards for their sure goal-throwing, i

B Grade Games. Beatalls (23) v. West End (12). — Beatalls were superior in all departments in this game. West End forwards played well, but lost many chances through standing behind their opponents. Beatalls centres played especially well, and proved too fast for their opponents. J. Muir for Beatalls and J. Eearn for West End both played outstanding games. C.O.G. B (18) v. Swifts B (4). —This was an uninspiring game, as C.O.G. easily drew ahead and maintained a big lead. Swifts played one short in thq forward third which weakened their team a little, but they lost many chances through wild inaccurate passing. J. Kellegher, forward for C.0.G., played a good game, field work and goal-throwing being sound. Woolworths (S) v. St. Matthew’s (13). —Tho first half of tho game was eery even, but towards the end of the game St, Alatthcw’s gradually drew ahead. St. Matthew’s forwards played a very faulty game in the first half, passing and catching being very weak, but they made a great improvement in tho second half and J. Graham especially shot sonic good goals. Woolworths are a greatly improved team, and did very well to gain the lead against a stronger team, such as St. Matthew's. Woolworths make the mistake of passing hither and thither instead of getting the ball as quickly as possible to the scoring third. So many passes are unnecessary ami only give the opponents an opportunity to intercept the ball.

AlcKenzies v. H.S.O.G. B.—Old Girls were playing two short. This made play very strenuous for the team. 'They fought bravely and in a determined manner, but handicapped as they were it was not possible to keep pace with their opponents. A. Matthews, AleKenzies forward, did some good field work and was very sure with her goals. R. Pearson, defence for Old Girls, played a hard and sure game,

New Rule. I When the ball is thrown in from tlio end of the court it must be caught while the player is behind tho 12-foot line. This means that batting the ball does not give the player the right to cross tho 12-foot line. The ball must be caught before the player in possession crosses the line.

King’s Birthday Tourney. The annual King’s Birthday tournament on June 23 is to bo a knock-out tournament, with nine players in a team. Nominations of teams in writing will be received by the secretary, Aliss I. Lovell-Smith. There will also be a goal-throwing competition for all forwards who play in the association.

Draw For Thursday Following is the Hastings basketball draw for Thursday:— H.S.O.G. A v. Swifts A, court 1, 2.45 p.m.; Airs Craven. W‘>,stco v. Roachs, court 1,2 p.m.; Mr Harris. Woolworths A v. C.O.G. A, court .1, 3.30 p.m.; Aliss J. Irwinc. , Havelock a bye. B GRADE. H.S.O.G. B V. West End, court 2, 2 p.m.; Aliss E. Compton. Baptist v. AlcKenzies, court 2, 2.45 p.m.; Aliss C. Hannah. St. Alatt. v Beatalls, court 2, 3.30 pin.; Airs Hewitt. Swifts B v. Woolworths B, Convent, 3.35 p.m.; Aliss AL Ale Anility. C.O.G. B a bye. Beatalls on duty,