PLAY CONTINUED

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 56, Issue 32912, 22 September 1947, Page 5

PLAY CONTINUED

BASKETBALL COMPETITION PAEROA CLUB’S GAMES RANGERS NEARLY SUCCEED The handicap competition being conducted by the Paeroa Indoor Basketball Club was continued on Wednesday evening and there were few sur-, prises. The games were full of in-1 terest and the special match between, Rangers and Borstal was particularly. exciting. This contest was virtually, a champion of champions contest and | Borstal just managed to win after a ’ great tussle. Borstal looked the better j combination with its spectacular passing rushes and accurate shooting but the Rangers employed their usual spoiling tactics and very nearly sucseeded. ' j The showing put up by the Rangers created a mild surprise as Borstal was hitherto considered to be much superior to the other club teams. All the Rangers played well although their vigorous tactics cost them several fouls and probably the game. They should try to avoid such frequent bodily contact. Treanor played well for Borstal while Waring and, Gregson were sound on defence. In the handicap games the opening contest resulted in a fairly easy win for United. W. Williams again played prominently and scored all his team’s points. Thompson also played’ well. The United team put up a very indifferent display and. were evidently not at their best. G. Bain played a good game for United. Netherton failed to make up their handicap against Comets and went down after a very game fight. Comets concentrated on solid defence and prevented their opponents from overtaking their good lead. Netherton played up to their usual standard while Comets played one of their best games to date. The defeat of the leading team should make the contest very exciting and a close finish is expected. V. Saunders, P. Mace and M. Crosbie played good games for Comets. St. Mary’s made use of their big handicap and easily accounted for United after a keen tussle. This> gave the St. Mary’s team their first win in the handicap competition and they have thoroughly deserved it. Darby and Shaw played very soundly and were largely responsible for their team’s success. M. and R- Hopping and J. Scott played well for United. ! Borstal easily accounted for Boys in a good contest which was played at a very fast pace throughout. Martin gave a good exhibition of shooting and was ably supported by Fathers and Treanor. Stevenson played, his usual sound game for Boys. The Boys showed promise but should do more to improve their shooting. Tuis held A.C.A. to a draw and played very well in doing so. These teams both do their best to open the game up and an interesting match usually results. This game was no exception and kept everybody interested until the final whistle. Harold and Day played well for A.C.A. while R. and N‘. Briggs and B. Bain figured prominently in a team that combined well. Dodgers brought about a mild surprise in defeating the Rangers. The merit of this performance was brought home when Rangers shortly afterwards fully extended, and nearly defeated, the champion Borstal team. The Dodgers’ defence was lax at time® and the defence players were prone to leave their men unmarked. Players should endeavour to play as a team and not roam about as individuals. The defence players can easily g’.et in between the attackers if they are separated and many promising movements break down as a result. It is pleasing to note that players are beginning to employ snappy and direct passes instead of the high lobs that were formerly spoiling* many of the club matches. In several games during the evening there were several struggles for the ball which reminded one of a football field more than a basketball court. I These confused tangles in’ the centre of the court should be avoided as much as possible if spectators and players are going to derive full enjoyment from the games. Detailed results were: Borstal 13 v. Rovers 9, Grammarians 28 v. United 18, Netherton 14 v. Comets 22, Railway 2G v. Rovers 16, United 2'o v. St,Maiy’s 28, Borstal 18 v. Boys 16, A.C.A. 18 v. Tuis 18, Dodgers' 21 v.J Rangers 14- j