WANGANUI JUNIOR AND THIRD GRADE BASKETBALL TEAMS MATCHES AT HASTINGS

Wanganui Chronicle, 19 September 1946, Page 3

WANGANUI JUNIOR AND THIRD GRADE BASKETBALL TEAMS MATCHES AT HASTINGS

(By "Centre Third.") During the past week-end lhe junior and third grade representative teams of the Wanganui Basketball Association travelled to Hastings to play matches against Hawke's Bay teams. Some splendid basketball was witnessed and lhe Wanganui teams were successful in winn.ng both games. In the junior game the Wanganui | players took some lime to find their | leet and after 10 minutes' play were (down three nil. Wanganui defence then struck form and by their solid concerted play completely foiled the Hawke's Bay forwards who found it difficult to get close into the circle foi shootmg purposes. J. Lowe .was playing a brilliant game and was ably supported by L. Pedersen and J. Manson. Half time was called with the score at five all. In the second spell Wanganui definitely had the better of the game. The centres gave a good exhibition of good concerted team work with N. Webby showing up prominently. Most outstanding player on the field was D. Forward, Wanganui goalthrower. She is one of the most promising of Wanganui’s junior players and with good coaching should gain higher representative honours. P. Vine from the third grade well merited her inclusion in the junior team and her accurate shooting largely accounted for Wanganui’s win by 11 goals to seven.

In the third grade game good ball handling was a feature of tne play. Hawke’s Bay again scored first but Wanganui allowed them no opportunity to gain a lead. Consistent attacking by Wanganui forwards who played well throughout the game, led to’a half-time score of 7 to 3 in Wanganui’s favour. T. Griffen and J. McLean showed up we)l. In *he centre third B. Matthews was playing a brilliant game, being always on the alert to receive the pass from the defence. H. Quirk was the most prominent defence but was well supported by her team mates. The Wanganui team dominated play in the second half to secure a comfortable win of 13 to 6. It is unfortunate that most of the lower grade matches in Wanganui art played on courts that are not the full size. This makes it difficult for the junior representative teams to accustom themselves to the correct playing conditions. It is hoped that the Wanganui Association will make a move to procure its own courts in the near future.

After the matches in Hastings the Wanganui girls were entertained to afternoon tea by the local association. Sunday was spent in sightseeing round Napier. A visit aboard an overseas vessel, and afternoon tea at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. Lawton in Chaucer Road were the two hightlights ol the day.