Basketball COMPETITION DECIDED

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29271, 1 August 1960, Page 7

Basketball COMPETITION DECIDED

Sacred Heart Wins By a 22-goal margin Sacred Heart beat its closest rival, Kakatai, in the main game of the Canterbury Basketball Association’s senior competition on Saturday. Played in bright sunshine, the game again attracted many spectators, but Sacred Heart’s definite superiority was well established by half-time. With only one round remaining. Sacred Heart’s three-point lead cannot be overtaken. In the first game of the afternoon, St Nicholas gained its second win of the season by beating West B, and West A was too steady for a depleted Teachers’ College side. Technical had the bye. Results:— St Nicholas 34, West B 29. Sacred Heart 37, Kakatai 15. West A 26, Teachers’ College 20. Competition points are: Sacred Heart 18, Kakatai 15, Technical 13, West A 12, West B 5, St. Nicholas 4. West B v. St. Nicholas Struggling hard to avoid being last In the senior competition, St. Nicholas and West B took some minutes to find form. West commenced this game one short and St. Nicholas appeared unwilling to take advantage of West’s misfortune and play was most inconclusive until a circle infringement by West gave St. Nicholas possession and J. Cusdin shot a fine goal. From its throw-off St. Nicholas again goaled and when M. Clark (West), hemmed in by two players, infringed when taking the throw-off, St. Nicholas again goaled to lead by three goals to nil. West’s defence, B. Allen and M. Islip, were seen to advantage in the ensuing period, and their spirited Interceptions did much to restrain St. Nicholas’s attack. With the score 3 goals to 1 R. Hattersley (West) took the field, and West’s forward L. Duff, scored a splendid goal. Though West’s defence continued to hinder the St. Nicholas forwards, St. Nicholas was able to retain a territorial advantage largely through the Indifferent handling of the West forwards who dropped several passes at vital stages. Not even their competent shooting compensated for this fault. St. Nicholas, playing with unusual restraint, maintained the advantage until half-time, when It led by 19 goals to 12. Purposeful attacking play allowed St. Nicholas to retain its seven goal margin for much of this spell, and West’s lethargic play gave it some assistance. With the score St. Nicholas 28, West B 20, West made a determined bid and the final stages were exciting as West gradually narrowed the scoring gap. Good shooting by West’s forwards, R. Hattersley and L. Duff, strongly supported by the centres, M. Hopkins and M. Clark, forced St. Nicholas into error and the strong play of defence, G. Lethaby and E. Woods, faltered. The St. Nicholas forwards, J. Cusdin and A. Cotter, well supported by the centre, G. Johns, rallied their side in the final stages, and good shooting by the forwards gave St. Nicholas victory by 34 goals to 29. The referee was Mrs G. Gough. Sacred Heart v. Kakatai Uncertain handling in the early stages caused an infringement by Sacred Heart, and from the free pass Kakatai goaled to open its score. Sacred Heart’s pass was well checked by the Kakatai defence, J. Brownie, but the resourceful Sacred Heart centre, B. McAleer, intercepted and sent the ball swiftly to the circle. Sacred Heart’s first shot missed, but the ball was again retrieved in the centre and Sacred Heart goaled to level the score. Kakatai’s throw-off was checked by the Sacred Heart defence, A. Coleman. but Sacred Heart was penalised for a stepping infringement and L. Price goaled for Kakatai. Sacred Heart’s throw-off again failed, and Kakatai goaled to lead by 3 goals to 1.

A further stepping infringement by Sacred Heart gave Kakatai possession. but when the pass reached the Kakatai goal, Sacred Heart’s defence, E. Back and A. Coleman, defended skilfully and the pass went out From the- throw-in Sacred Heart goaled. Sacred Heart reached its finest form in the next period of play. The centres held their positions in the face of considerable pressure from Kakatai’s defence and centre, 2nd the Sacred Heart forwards were worked into good shooting positions by the intelligent tactics of the centres, J. Murray, N. Fahey, and B. McAleer. The Sacred Heart forwards, J. Martin and M. Murray, were in splendid form and their accurate shooting from all round the circle allowed the Kakatai defence little scope. Maintaining the attack for long periods, Sacred Heart increased its lead swiftly and Kakatai played desperately as the run of play went against it. With the score Sacred Heart 9, Kakatai 3. Kakatai’s attack deteriorated. Its centres abandoned positional play, and its normally responsible defence was guilty of some very injudicious moves to the centre third; it became obvious at this ntoo, that the combination of eiman—a defence player who substituted for the New Zealand representative, J- Dunlop—and L. Price was not a match-winner. Sacred Heart maintained pressure and with sound variation of tactics increased its lead to make the score. Sacred Heart 14. Kakatai 5. A fine goal by L. Price halted Sacred Heart’s attack momentarily, and when the Sacred Heart throw-off was well taken by E. Kirkwood. Kakatai gained a temporary advantage and added a further two goals to Sacred Heart’s one. to make the half-time score. Sacred Heart 15. Kakatai 8. Kakatai Impressed immediately play resumed, and its supporters still cherished hopes of a typical fighting come-back. Placed on attack when forward M. Neiman goaled. Kakatai retained the initiative for some minutes, but Sacred Heart was soon into its stride and Kakatai’s moves were again well checked by the derisive play of defence, E. Back and A. Coleman. From interceptions in this third Sacred Heart’s attack intensified and Sacred Heart monopolised possession for long periods. The forwards, J. Martin and M. Murray, were now in no way deterred by the attentions of Kakatai’s defence, and their accurate shooting and determined retrieving ensured Sacred Heart’s retaining possession. As the result became inevitable Kakatai’s attack slackened, but its effort, a snappy two-pass move from its throw-off. admirably executed, could well have been used with telling effect earlier in the game. Kakatai’s rigid adherence to defensive tactics hi this came was a costly error of judgment. Referee: Miss B Stone. West A v. Teachers* College With neither team at full strength and Teachers' College fielding three substitutes the early stages of this game were far from exciting. Infringements frequently altered the trend of play, and though West held the initiative for most of this half, the College defence. J. Deaker and A. Stewart, were quick to intercept any loose passes, and West’s forward combination of J. Wright and a substitute, N. Ralston, was held tn cheek. Scores were even at 10-all. but determined play by the centres. M. Hopkins and D. Mtmneriey. allowed West to hold a territorial advantage. J. Wright goaled weH to make the half-time score West A 14. Teachers* College 11 Repeated handling lapses by Teachers* College enabled West to maintain its half-time advantage well into this spell. Once again. Deaker and A. Stewart nuuiflea manv good West moves, and the College forwards, C. Clapham and V.

Hoektng, had little difficulty penetrating the circle to goal well. The College attack tightened and the substitutes J. McMillan, N. Thompson, and L. Williamson, were prominent as College overhauled Wests With only one goal separating the teams, the College forward, C. Clapham, gained the inner circle and goaled to even the score at 19-all. buts its play deteriorated from this stage and West had little difficulty in Building up a safe lead to win 36-20. Referee: Mr R. Overend.