WANGANUI BASKETBALL

Wanganui Chronicle, 4 May 1948, Page 6

WANGANUI BASKETBALL

COMMENT ON LAST SATURDAY’S PLAY

By defeating Past Students by a good margin on Saturday last Technical Old Girls retained their lead in the senior grade of the Wanganui basketball championship competition. As there are only four- teams in the senior grade Saturday’s games saw the end of the first round. When T.O.G. met Students the following were the teams:— T.0.G.: L. Breed (capt.), K. Gedge, N. Couchman, P. Phillips, N. Webby, J. Benson, B. Forward, C. Forward, E. Couchman.

Students: B. Whiting, L. Ernst, M. Overall, M. Price, F. Worrall, O. Platt, J. Lowe, V. Jackson, I. Platt.

T.O.G. attacked strongly from the starting whistle and scored three goals before B. Whiting opened Students’ account. The first spell was even and fast. Students were superior in the centre third where the players combined well and handled cleanly. T.O.G. forward third was, however, very strong, end short snappy passing here resulted in a lead to 12 to 5 to T.O.G. at half-time. N. Couchman was playing a very dependable game at main goal and proved a most elusive opponent. Her shooting also is much improved from last season. Play in the second spell was disappointing, the whole pace of the game being noticeably slower. Dropped passes became frequent and a scrappy display resulted. Nevertheless, T.O.G. defence were steady and reliable. All three players have height and stamina, but could speed up theii- passing appreciably. A quicker break-away into attack after an interception would put this trio into the top flight of defence. The final score was 19 to 10 in T.O.G. favour, the referee being Mrs. L. Canty.

NGA TOA v. ST. MARYS. The game between Nga and St. Mary’s proved an interesting one. Nga Toa showed much improved form and but for weakness in the forward third would have won the day. The tdims were:— St. Mary’s: J. McCashin (capt.), N. O’Leary, K. O’Connor, M. McCashin, G. Mashlan, J. O’Connor, U. Jeffrey, M. Purnell, K. O'Leary. Nga Toa: J. Spooner (capt.), J. Smith, M. Wright, D. Bosher, M. Platt, B. Hughes, M. Howe, R. Sunderland. N. Sherman. St. Mary’s settled down rapidly to their game, their passing being crisp and neat. They had the best of the first spell but were prevented from piling up an appreciable lead by repeated interceptions by Nga Toa defence, who put up a united front and played their best game to date. Shooting on both sides was erratic and showed need for continuous practice by forwards. St. Mary's defence were playing a close covering game and were much too strong for Nga Toa forwards. Half-time was called with St. Mary’s leading by 6 to 3. In the second spell the main feature of the game was the excellent play by the Nga Toa centre third. D. Bosher was outstanding and was splendidly backed up by her two team-mates. They put on the best display of centre play seen in Wanganui for some time. The score was evened at 6-all. St. Mary’s up against stronger opposition, were forced to lengthen their passes and consequently this broke up their combination. U. Jeffrey was playing a strong game in St. Mary’s forward third, but her aim was not as accurate as usual. R. Sunderland, in Nga Toa goal third, played her best game to date, timing her moves in the field well and taking her full share of the play. She is a much improved player. Nga Toa had the better of play in the second spell but poor shooting by both teams'kept the scores down and the game finished with St. Mary's winning 8 to 7. Mr. C. J. Haberfield refereed.

REFEREES. It is encouraging to enthusiasts of the sport to see so many players taking the whistle to referee. For the coaching of these players and the benefit of all referees, a referees association, to be affiliated with the New Zealand Basketball Referees' Association, is to be formed in Wanganui, the initial meeting beng held on Tuesday evening next. Members will be coached in the finer points of refereeing and opportunities afforded for candidates to sit for their New Zealand Referee's Badge.