BASKETBALL

Southland Times, Issue 20664, 20 April 1929, Page 19

BASKETBALL

SATURDAY MATCHES When rain commenced at 1.45 on Saturday, one rather expected that matches would not be played, but although there was still a drizzle when the first teams took the field, this too stopped and the ground soon dried. The teams playing at 2.45 p.m. found the ball rather slippery and there were many occasions when it was not caught surely, this giving opportunities to the opponents. There are fewer teams entered in the Saturday competition but if the first day is any indication the games are going to be more interesting and this is especially true of the intermediate grade where both matches were fast and where the teams were evenly matched. Mawarewa and Pirates had a good game even although Pirates had such a heavy score put up against them. The Pirates centres are not nearly so strong as Makarewa especially at the jump where Kitty Hazlett was playing out of her place. It. would appear that this club lacks a strong player in this position; for their own sakes it is to be hoped that some player will come forward to help the club here. In spite also of having three intermediate girls in the team they did play and their shooting third was really good; they had the ball less than a dozen times but they shot seven goals. Makarewa is a very strong team this year. D. Dennis at the jump is playing a wonderfully quick game getting rid of her ball neatly and then running into position to get it again if necessary and the shooting third are I think the best combination we have had yet. They have not only learnt much about position but they can all shoot. This is the first year W. Bell has played senior and it will be interesting to see how far she will go. This team must be practising assiduously since they seem to be so sure of each other.

Rata and Collegiate played in the early part of the afternoon and so had a slippery ball which some of the girls found hard to handle. Rata played brilliantly in the first half and if R. Todd and M. Basstian will keep this form all the season, they should go far towards gaining representative honours. During the second half M. Royds had to retire and the centres played one short for the remainder of the game, R. Todd doing great, work. She always did have the makings of a first class player, but last year evidently did not consider it worth while to play her best. Rata shooting third have a good combination, but they do not shoot goals as accurately as they should. C. McCurdy works just hard in this third as she did playing defence and is the most accurate of all three. Collegiate played raggedly during the first half but improved as the game proceeded and after half-time pulled up well in the second spell scoring six goals to Rata’s five. V. Cloughley was playing for the first time this season and was badly out of form ; she however helped considerably in not allowing Rafa to put up a bigger score. G. Botherway is not so far showing the form of previous years but will possibly become more accurate as the season advances.

St. Mary's had quite a good team in this competition although the shooting third did not combine as well as 1 had expected. St. Peters had new players in their centre third who were outclassed by the more experienced of St. Mary's team. M. Mahoney seems even more at home in the defence than she did in the shooting third. St. Peter’s shoots were even less accurate than St Mary's, but ail the same the game was quite even, play pas-ing fairly consistently from one end of the field to the other. Both Intermediate games as I have mentioned were fast, although Collegiate did not have nearly so good combination as did Makarewa. This is a car>e where consistent practice with the same girls shows good results, and it is probably to this that Makarewa owed its win. Both teams were comprised mostly of girls new to the association but from this game Makarewa appears to have the better players, but again this may only be due to practice.

Rosedale and Kiwi played a fast game up and down the field and at half time were only one goal apart in the score. I did not see the first half at all, but the second half was shockingly rough especially on the part of Rosedale. Indeed it was possibly Rosedale who made Kiwi rough to protect themselves. Rosedale must learn that the game is to handle the ball and not the opponent. They have some good players too. but all this bumping and knocking each other ami scrambling about for the ball spoils the game for both team and their opponents. Wednesday Matches. Once again the first matches of the day were played in a light drizzle which caused the balls to become greasy in the earlier part of the afternoon. It did not seem to make a great deal of difference to those playing however. A most pleasing'feature of the games this year is the better play amongst the intermediates; the matches are much more interesting to watch; there is less scrambling for the ball and less inaccurate passing. The games have speeded up considerably and this augurs well for the time when these players will be in the senor grade. It also shows that this grade is taking practice more seriously because there must be some good coaching to achieve these results. Bluff and Rata had quite an interesting game and much more even than the score of IS —4 in favour of Rata indicates. Bluff did not give as long passes as usual, but they. passed the ball too high allowing Rata players to get into position to intercept. Rata's combination in the centre third was much better than Bluff’s, although Bluff has a quick and active jumping centre who must however be careful not to hit the ball out of the opponent’s hands. Rata’s shoots are coming away from their opponents and so making openings to receive the ball, but during the second half fumbled their catches. P. Cunliffe threw some marvellous goals from long distances, but it is not wise to take too many risks of this kind. Kiwi and Pirates had a splendid game together, there being good fast play up and down the field, but it was marred by too many long throws. . At half time Kiwi led 7—3, but during the second half Pirates made a determined effort to win and with a few seconds to’ play had the score 9—9, but Kiwi finished 11—9. I believe that Kiwi seniors are taking a great interest in their younger players this year and both intermediate teams show evidence of consistent practica,

Collegiate had its only win this season against Central Methodist, but the latter team, however, did not allow their opponents to have all the play and their defence especially saved a number of goals. If Central Methodist could only learn to move about on the court more quickly and pass the ball with some vim they could be a team to be reckoned with. M. Wesney works hard in her third and was responsible for some neat goals. The most outstanding player, however, was G. Strathern (Collegiate), who consistently won at the toss up and played well throughout the game. Collegiate centres were a very good combination. In the senior grade the most interesting match was that between Collegiate and Rata and it was a really good game with thrilling moments. Rata’s centre third was brilliant and for once played its three members, so that there was some splendid passing. The shoots are a good combination and I am especially pleased with the neatness with which the Murdoch sisters captured balls as they were going out and whipped them into play again often gaining extra goals thereby. Gladys Bamford did that also a few times, but in the defence it is better to let the ball go out and then try to get it away from a throwin. An unguarded throw in from the back line for the shoots should always result in a goal and I noticed that when Rata were awarded such a throw on Wednesday, Stella Murdoch threw in to Mary Rodger who returned it to Stella under tic [vole, the result being a goal. All teams should practice that, because it should be a rule with no exception. Esme Shepherd (Collegiate) was the most outstanding girl that team had on the field. She did some wonderful work in the centre third, but she must remember that speed is wasted when it means roughness. M. Greenwood was rather disappointing and Marion Royds was too good a player for her to defend. St. Peter's are most unfortunate in meeting all the strong teams first, having played Rata last week, they played Kiwi this, but as usual they did not once let up on the game and I am sure must have learned something of real senior play in these last, two weeks. Ivy Dempster who unfortunately is retiring from the game, played shoot, in this match and Dolly Lainchbury played at the jump. This young player has wonderful speed and if only she will practice hard and learn all she can from more experienced players she should become a most valuable player for Southland. K. Jones was shooting very well and if she can keep it up the team will not feel the lack of Mrs McKinnon so much. Pirates and St. Mary's had the most uninteresting game of the afternoon. The play was scrappy and neither team seemed warmed up for a good game. St. Marys were not catching well, but their centre showed much promise. Pirates shooting third has learnt the advantage of keeping out from the opponent and they made use of their knowledge in this game. I am hoping for better things from these teams next week. The matches at Makarewa were this week against Progressive and the following details were sent in to me. D. Dennis obtained the ball in the centre on most occasions and combined well with C. Glennie and M. Clark. L. Ward was in her old place amongst the shoots and shot quick, and with M. Wright and W. Bell was much in evidence. M. Wright (Progressive) shot most of the goals for the visiting team and was their most outstanding player. . Progressive which is quite an inexperienced senior team did very well indeed to score 10 goals against so formidable an opposing team. In the intermediate game D. Gazzard and L. Glennie were evenly matched in the centre but R. Clark made most of the openings for Makarewa. The chief fault with both teams was a marked tendency to walk with the ball. C. McKenzie scored all 3 of Progressive’s goals. A Reminder. Are all clubs remembering that once an intermediate player has played 3 senior games she automatically is graded senior and may not then play for the junior team? Are all captains remembering that the list of girls playing in each match must be sent in on the special form provided and must, be put in the box on the table in the pavilion ? Are all players remembering to look on the blackboard each day to see who is responsible for sweeping out the pavilion and clearing up the courts? Last Wednesday the senior team responsible had all departed when it came to clearing up time. Are you all remembering that you may not play an unregistered player or one who has not obtained her transfer? There is a club liable to forfeit a match for not attending to this matter. Will the club secretary please note that, when a regrade is required some satisfactory reason for the request must be supplied? Will the teams travelling to Makarewa please let me know at. once whether they require the bus which It has been arranged shall be at H.B. corner each week? The cost is 1/6 return each. And are all basketbailers keeping in mind that we need £5OO by the end of June and have they began to work for it yet ? . t And once again do you want a sports’ meeting, because I have had no' suggestions yet ? I would also like to state that we have many more referees for Saturday than tor Wednesday and we would be glad to have the names of any one who could help on Wednesday. So far the older referees who want relief are still doing two matches a day. Royds’ Shield Points.

The Royds’ Shield as I expect most of you know was given to the association by the late Mr. H. W. Royds who was keenly interested in us from the first meeting we ever had. It is awarded each year to the club with the highest aggregate points. Last year the competition was very keen, and each week I shall let you know how the clubs stand. These are the points so far: Makarewa 12, Rata 12, Kiwi 8, Pirates 2, Collegiate 2,.Rosedale 2, St. Mary’s 2.