Basketball West’s Narrow Win Over Technical

Press, Volume C, Issue 29567, 17 July 1961, Page 3

Basketball West’s Narrow Win Over Technical

The tenth round of games in the Canterbury Basketball Association’s senior competition was played on Saturday, and probably because of the cold, easterly wind, which made conditions unpleasant, much of the basketball was mediocre. Considerable interest was taken in the first game of the afternoon, between Technical and West A, and spectators who ignored the conditions were rewarded with a well-fought game which West won by one goal. The competition leader, Kakatai, was much too good for the inexperienced Teachers’ College B side and Sacred Heart beat St. Nicholas not at all convincingly by six goals. Teachers’ College A had the bye. Results were:— West A 20, Technical 19. Sacred Heart 36, St Nicholas 30. Kakatai 46. Teachers* College B 12. Competition points are: Kakatai 16, Sacred Heart 14, West A 10, Teachers’ College A 8, Technical 6, St. Nicholas 4, Teachers' College B 0. Technical v. West Positional changes reduced Technical’s efficiency in the early stages and West gained a three-goal lead before Technical’s combination functioned with any certainty. In addition. the strong easterly wind made handling and shooting difficult and neither team was seen to advantage at this stage. West’s lead was lost when a two-pass move hit the backline and Technical, from the throw-in, goaled well to level the scores at 3-all. West tightened play perceptibly and with short, crisp passes and stubborn defence by P. Bennett and M. Islip, Technical attack was again countered and West again held a threegoal lead. Technical defence was unable to curtail the West forward attack, and J. Wright and H. Bryant goaled well They were strongly supported by their centres, M. Murray, M. Hopkins and K. Williams. West was in a strong position by

half-time when it ied by 13 goals to 6.

When play resumed. Technical’s hesitant play still persisted, and West retained its seven goal advantage for some minutes. Favoured now with the sheltered goal. K. French of Technical, goaled well and as Technical's scoring rate improved. so did its team work Vigilant defence by C. Brown and B. Winter forced West forwards to abandon positional play, and several careless passes to that area were eagerly accepted by the capable Technical centres, P. Edmonds and L. Johns, and K. French goaled well to take the Technical score within one of West With the score West 18, Technical 17, West struggled desperately to regain the initiative and its efforts were rewarded when the defence, M. Islip, anticipating well, gained possession of a Technical pass, and a good shot by J. Wright temporarily restored order to West’s attack Play was fast and even. With title time left and the score West 20, Technical 19. West sent a pass astray and Technical took play to its goal. A free shot missed the ring, but the baU was retrieved by the Technical forwards, who still had possession at the final whistle. Referee: Mrs A. Elder. Sacred Heart v. St, Nicholas Fine anticipation by the Sacred Heart centre, B. McAleer, gave Sacred Heart an immediate advantage and enabled it to hold a two-goal lead. The Sacred Heart forwards, J. Martin and C. Brady, were given frequent scoring opportunities by their diligent centres, P. Lawson. B. McAleer and N Fahey, but the wind, at this end of the court, made shooting difficult and St. Nicholas, gaining from its opponents’ mistakes was able to level the spore. The St. Nicholas forwards. J fcusdin and A. Buckland, achieved good combination and scores remained level until just before half-time. Sacred Heart attacked vigorously, and, with Martin repeatedly retrieving, gained a three-goal lead. A fine shot from just within the circle by A. Buckland made the half-time score, Sacred Heart 17, St. Nicholas 15.

Strong forward play by both teams gave the defence thirds little scope and this spell did not produce play of a high standard. The closeness of the scores compensated somewhat for this lack, and the St. Nicholas forwards. Cusdin and Buckland, again revealed good form. Later in this spell, a stoppage for injury to the St. Nicholas centre, N. Baker, delayed play for some minutes, and when the game resumed Sacred Heart displayed its most convincing form of the game. Resolute play by defence. D Evans, placed Sacred Heart on attack and the forwards. Martin and Brady, served their side well in the closing stages St. Nicholas centres and defence thirds, whose determined play in the early stages countered many strong Sacred Heart attacks, did not offer much resistance in the final stages and Sacred Heart was rather flattered by the final score of Sacred Heart 36. St. Nicholas 30. Referee. Mrs L. Webb. Kakatai v. Teachers’ College B With the defence. M. Neiman and' E. Kirkwood, in sparkling form, and trie forwards, L. Price and J. Dunlop, goaling with customary accuracy, Kakatai at an early stage had the measure of its opponents and had quickly established a matchwinning lead. The Kakatai centres, H. Caldwell, J. King and L. Walker, effectively broke up the College attack almost as soon as it was initiated. The lack of drive in the College centre hampered the side’s efforts and Kakatai, with an advantage in aU thirds, was able to dictate toe run of play throughout. The half-time score was Kakatai 24. Teachers’ College B 6. With the result assured the second spell was of little interest. Kakatai went through its well-practised moves with confidence and efficiency and although College made a valiant effort, there was little in its attack to hamper Kakatai and the final whistle, with the score Kakatai 46, Teachers’ College B 12, was a most welcome sound Team For N.Z. Tournament The Canterbury senior basketbail selectors, Mrs F. J Sharmahan, Mrs A. Nichol and Miss H. A. Yates, have named the following representative team to defend the New Zealand Cup at the 1961 national tournament, at Dunedin from August 22 to 26: C. McMaster (Teachers’ College), J. Dunlop (Kakatai), J. Martin (Sacred Heart), P. Edmonds (Technical) vice-cap-tain, J. King (Kakatai). N Fahey (Sacred Heart). A. Coleman (Sacred Heart), C. Brown (Technical) captain, M. Neiman (Kakatai), B. Winter (Technical). The following third grade players have been chosen to take part in representative fixtures with Hokitika and West Coast at Christchurch on August 12:— J. Morrison (Papanui High). V. Pruden (Holy Trinity), A. Marriot (Sacred Heart), I Rowling (Teachers’ CoUege), captain. J. Crossen (St. Nicholas), A. Luke (West Old Giris), P. Grafton (Technical), M. Price (Sacred Heart) viceoantain. The following fourth grade prayers have been chosen to take part in representative fixtures with Hokitika and West Coast at Christchurch on August 12 and with Ashburton on July 29: J. Kelly (St. Peter’s) vicecaptain, S Dunn (West Old Girls), M. Rodgers (St. Nicholas), M. Barlow (Shanandor) captain. S. Dench (St. Nicholas). R Millar (Shirley North), P. Paulsen (Sacred Heart), D. Green (Sacred Heart).