FAST, KEEN BASKETBALL

Taranaki Daily News, 10 September 1934, Page 7

FAST, KEEN BASKETBALL

NEW PLYMOUTH C BEATS TAINUI. In a fast and keenly contested basketball game at Tongaporutu on Saturday afternoon New Plymouth C defeated the Tainui representative team by 14 points to 8. The short, quick passing of the visitors was a noticeable feature of the game, and the thorough combination proved too good for the Tainui representatives. However, in the centre division the Tainui girls more than held their own, and their play, especially in the second half, was of a very high standard. The principal weakness of the Tainui team was in the defence, and very rarely did the play in this division come up to club form.

The goaling of the visitors was not as good as could have been expected, and several seemingly easy goals were missed through the goal-thrower taking too long a shot. The New Plymouth defence was very sound and had no difficulty in outplaying the Tainui goal-throwers, of whom M. Cowper was the only one to come up to representative form. North Taranaki journeyed to Tongaporutu on Saturday and met a representative team of the Tainui Sub-Asso-ciation. The result was a win for the visitors by 14—8. Tainui won the toss and passed out for their goalies to make an unsuccessful attempt at goal. North Taranaki secured the ball, and by quick passing sent the ball down to L. Parker to open the score. Some, good steady work by both teams followed, North Taranaki being rather quicker in their movements and passing the ball out well, and got into position to shoot before being covered by the defence. Tai’nui on the other hand, although their centres played a sound game and their forwards handled well, failed to draw out the defence, and in consequence were crowded out under the goal. However, with more experience the Tainui girls should do well next season. A match between Tainui B representatives and Tainui C representatives was played afterwards and showed there is good material in the district and that; it needs only experience and practice to develop the game there into good basketball. There was a marked improvement on last season’s play.

After the matches all the teams were entertained at luncheon before the players left for home. The semi-final of the northern division’s junior competition was played at East End on Saturday, when Convent defeated Moturoa by 15 goals to 12. The game was very even throughout. Both teams played hard and showed good defensive work. There were splendid passing bouts and good interception by both teams, especially in the defence. Moturoa goalies were apt to pass too high instead of out to position, thus losing many opportunities at aiming at goal. So even was the play that at time the score was 9-all. The game was played for a further five minutes each way, but Moturoa was rather slow in settling down again, thus allowing its opponent to score several times in quick succession and keep the lead until the end of the game. The final of the northern division junior competition will be decided next Saturday, when Okato Huias will meet Convent at East End.