BASKETBALL FINAL WON BY SACRED HEART IN HARD GAME

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28981, 24 August 1959, Page 17

BASKETBALL FINAL WON BY SACRED HEART IN HARD GAME

The final round of games in the Canterbury Basketball Association's senior competition was played at South Hagley Park on Saturday, and in one of the closest senior competitions for many years. Sacred Heart confirmed its claims to premier honours by decisively beating Kakatai. its victors in the first round game. Results were as follows; — Sacred Heart 32. Kakatai 22. Digbys 21, Teachers’ College 13. Technical 42, St. Nicholas 18. West B 28. West A 22. Competition placings were as iollows:—Sacred Heart 26. Technical and Kakatai 22, West B 13. Digby's 11, West A 10. Teachers' College 6. St. Nicholas 2. Sacred Heart v. Kakatai Kakatai took the initiative from its throw-off and goaled, but Sacred Heart, gaining from a Kakatai infringement, went into the lead minutes later with a fine interception by the centre, B McAleer. Tenacious defence by Kakatai's J. Brownie and M. Neiman halted Sacred Heart's attack, and Kakatai had the advantage in the ensuing period of play as it attacked strongly. Play was paid and fast and the marked contrast in the tactics of the teams kept spectators interested. Kakatai's defence maintained strong pressure on the Sacred Heait forwards and Sacred Heait’s normally reliable shot. P. Glubb. was severely restricted in her movements in the circle. From gains in this third Kakatai was able lo dominate play for a period, and its capable forwards, L. Price and J. Dunlop played confidently to make the scores level at 8-all. Kakatai again goaled to lead 10 goals to 8. Well-varied play by Sacred Heart and capable backing up by centres B. McAleer, N. Fahey and P. Lawson revealed flaws in Kakatai's attack. and when Kakatai forwards displayed reluctance to accept shooting opportunities, Sacred Heart’s defence capably exploited this fault and Sacred Heart regained the lead. Fortunes fluctuated with the throwoff. and both teams were goaling from interceptions rather than from their own set moves. M. Neiman and J Brownie were always a strong threat to every Sacred Heart move, but the untiring efforts of the Sacred Heart forwards. L. Glubb and M. Murray, continually offset their hard-won advantages, and by halftime Sacred Heart led by 15 goals to 13.

There was little between the teams in the early stages of this spell. Excellent teamwork bv Kakatai and accurate shooting bv L. Price brought the scores level at 16-all. but Sacred Heart now displayed its finest form and with every player exercising great restraint, and handling and passing with care. Sacred Heart again gained a three goal margin. Fine shooting by M. Murray enhanced Sacred Heart’s chances and Sacred Heart led by 22 goals to 17. Kakatai attacked with increasing desperation and in a well-sustained attack brought the score to Sacred Heart 22, Kakatai 20.

Both teams were feeling the strain at this stage and plav was fast and willing, but an injury to Kakatai’s capable centre. G. Forward, necessitated a minute’s stoppage, and when play was resumed Sacred Heart gave Kakatai nor respite. With fine teamwork and excellent combination it retained possession until the issue was beyond doubt. Sacred Heart dominated play in the final 10 minutes and a tiring Kakatai side offeied diminishing resistance as Sacred Heart forwards goaled well from all round the circle. The final score, however, gives little indication of the true worth of Kakatai. Mrs A South was referee. TECHNICAL v. ST. NICHOLAS From the outset. Technical allowed St. Nicholas no respite, and in one of its most convincing displays ot the season placed the result of this game beyond doubt from a very early stage of the game. Technical, which tliis season has been plagued by injuries, was without its centre. P. Edmonds, but M. Fisher and J Fuller were again occupying their normal positions, and much of Technical's efficiency could be attributed to the fine form displayed by these two players. Lack of height in the St Nicholas forwards. L. Johns and J. Fraser, allowed Technical's strong defence. C Brown and B. Rowe, to easily take possession of the missed shot, and by half-time Technical led 22-9.

Technical produced many fine passing moves in the second spell, and the forwards. Fuller and Dorward. goaled accurately and regularly. The St Nicholas centres. G Johns and J. Botts, made valiant attempts to place their forwards on attack, but Technical was rarely checked for any length of time. The referee was Mrs D. Hughes. WEST A v. WEST B This game was followed with much interest as tlie third place in the senior competition depended on its result. Neither team was seen to advantage in the early stages. p!a> fluctuating with the throw-off. West A forwards were well restrained by the capable defence of their opponents, and scores were level at 4-all West B attacked strongly, and the forwards. T Langlord and ? McMaster, displayed skill and determination as they found favourable shooting positions to place then team in a good position by half-time when the score was West B 15. West A 9

West B retained the initiative for long periods in tliis second spell, mainly due to the lack of form of the West A forwards. West B centres were quick to the ball and harried their opponents at everv opportunity. West B appeared to have tlie game well in hand with i a 10-goal advantage and little time remaining. When the West A for-: wards, L. Duff and P. Teller, found form late in the spell, however, their team-mates responded immediately and centre and defence thirds attacked willingly to gain further scoring opportunities lor teen forwards. This final assault found West B quite unprepared, and West A was still in command when the final whistle sounded, giving West B victory by a much reduced marein. but confirming i's position of third place in lhe competition a not unworthy position for a team having its first season of senior basketball. The referee was Miss P Gallagher DIGBYS v. TEACHERS’ COLLEGE The final game ol the afternoon between two depleted teams was placed in a picnic atmosphere and rarely reached tire standard associated with first-grade basketball. Teachers' College, witli many regular players on vacation, was quite unable to combine, and its set moves were repeatedly foiled by the capable plav of the Digbys centres. M Copper and B Roberts The Teachers’ College forwards were well restrained by the resolute defence jf Digby’s C Orsborne and H Arthur, and its many missed shots in this haff allowed Digbys to hold a half-time lead of 17 goals to 6. Teachers' College offered little resistance in the second spell, and play deteriorated badly. Few moves reached theii objective unchecked, and the frequency with which passes were dropped or thrown out quickly emptied the stands. The final •vhistle which confirmed Digbys superiority, was scarcely heeded by the two remaining spectators.