BASKETBALL

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27985, 4 June 1956, Page 12

BASKETBALL

FIRST ROUND GAMES COMPLETED

WEST OLD GIRLS IN GOOD POSITION

Games played on Saturday completed the first round of the Canterbury Basketball Association’s senior competition. Although there is still another round of games to be played, West Old Girls, with 12 points, are in a strong position. Sacred Heart, and Technical have eight points, Digby’s seven. Teachers’ College four. Kakatai three, and Mataura none. In a very even game. West Old Girls beat Digbys. Technical beat Mataura in a dull game, and Sacred Heart easily beat Teachers’ College. Kakatai had the bye. Results were:— West Old Girls 22, Digbys 17 Technical 23, Mataura 10. Sacred Heart 33, Teachers’ College 14. WEST OLD GIRLS v. DIGBYS West Old Girls staved off a determined challenge by Digbys and won a welldeserved victory by 22 goals to 17. In typical style, West opened the scoring, and with commendable dash led by five goals before Digbys found form, west's forwards, J. Edwards, J. Irvine, and P Telfer. were handling and shooting splendidly. and Digbys were forced to adopt tactics somewhat foreign to them by their disastrous start. Forsaking their normal fast attack. Digbys set about reducing West’s lead by very deliberate play. M. Kummer and F. Mooney, Digbys defence, again gave their side the opportunity needed, and for a time these players, with C. Roberts, subdued West’s vigorous forwards. As Digbys score mounted there was little between the teams, but R. Newick and M. Hughes for Digbys were models of concentration and served their side well. The half-time score was West Old Girls 10. Digbys 8. Throughout the second spell play was fast and there was little to choose between the teams. Digby’s defence and centre thirds started the spell well, kept their forwards well supplied with the ball and allowed Digby’s to take the initiative. At 13-all, Digbys drew level, but from this point determined defence by S. Wilson, E. Fleming, and M Clark prevented Digbys forwards from penetrating the circle and. forced to attempt shots from just within the circle, they lost accuracy. Mistakes and minor infringements gave added zest to players and spectators in the closing stages, but West clung to their precarious lead and won by 22 goals ot 17. For Digbys, M. Copoer was resourceful and able, and in the second spell P Shirtcliff, who substituted for B. Hoare. shot some spectacular goals. West’s forwards were consistently accurate, and R To’er was again impressive in the centre third. Referee; Mr J Calvert. Technical v. Mataura Technical gained an early advantage over Mataura and excellent shooting by the forwards, P. Dorward. M. Fisher, and D. Fleete enabled it to gain complete control. Careless passing repeatedly robbed Mataura of any effective combination and Technical was not required to exert itself greatly to hold a 14-2 lead by half-time.

On resuming Technical attempted to build up its score, but spirited defensive play by N. Tregonning, P. Snelling, and O. Burnett foiled these attempts and Technical’s moves became increasingly lackadaisical and disjointed. Mataura improved its position and in this spell played its best basketball for some weeks. The Mataura forwards, M. Cusack, F. Kerr, and E. Burns, found a greater share of the ball to their liking and shot some splendid goals. In the final 10 minutes Technical tightened up its attack and skilful centre play by J. Fuller and S. Fisher enabled it to register a convincing win, 23 to 10. Referee: Mr R. Overend. Sacred Heart v. Teachers’ College From the outset Sacred Heart gave Teachers’ College no opportunity for anything but dogged defence. A. Clark, Sacred Heart forward, was in brilliant form, and with J. Murray and P. Gallagher also shooting well, this strong forward third soon undermined Teachers' College's confidence inaccurate shooting completed the rout. By clever variation of tactics and skilful passing. Sacred Heart was 12 goals up before Teachers’ College scored. The half-time score was Sacred Heart 19. Teachers’ College 5. There was little of moment In the second half Teachers’ College was less erratic and had its chances, but under the heavy pressure to which it was constantly subjected, its play was not impressive, and the result was never in doubt. For Teachers’ College V. Lucas shot well in the closing stages, and the Sacred Heart forwards were well supported by the defence. E. Back, and by the centres, B. McAleer and M. Leonard. Sacred Heart won by 33 goals to 14. Referee: Mrs D. Hughes.