BASKETBALL KAKATAI FAVOURED AS COMPETITION WINNER

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30153, 10 June 1963, Page 6

BASKETBALL KAKATAI FAVOURED AS COMPETITION WINNER

Making their last appearance in club basketball this season, Canterbury’s four New Zealand representatives, P. Edmonds, J. Blair, C. McMaster and J. Martin, dominated play in fifth-round games played at South Hagley Park in pleasant conditions, and it will be interesting to see how their teams tare in future games. There were no surprises in Saturday’s games and Kakatai, with a good win over Technical, remains the firm favourite for championship honours West Old Girls easily defeated Community Centre and Sacred Heart was too strong for Teachers’ College. The composite New Zealand team had their stiffest test to defeat St. Nicholas by the narrow margin of 46 goals to 40 Results were:— West Old Girls 52. Community Centre 20. Kakatai 37, Technical 33. Sacred Heart 37, Teachers’ College 25. Competition points: Kakatai 8, St. Nicholas 6, West Old Girls 6, Sacred Heart 4, Technical 4, Community Centre 2, Teachers’ College 0. COMMUNITY CE.WKE v. WEST OLD GIRLS

West established an early superiority in this game. C. McMaster revealed her best form by shooting brilliantly to take her team to a swift sixgoal lead. Tightly held by the West defence. Community Centre could do little to its forward third, but some accurate long shots enabled them t» open Its scoring. West, however, maintained pressure, and further excellent shooting increased the lead to 10 goals. After a stoppage for injury. Community Centre rearranged players, and S. Uitendaal returned to her customary position at centre. West kept up its attack, and with A. Woods lending good support to C. McMaster, and defence. K. Reece and M. Islip, capably restraining the Community Centre forwards, West's efficient teamwork continued until half-time, when the score was: West 28 Community Centre 12. The pattern of play in this spell remained unchanged Community Centre only rarely goaled tram its throw-off. and most of its scoring came from infringements made by West. J. Thompson and A. Wyatt gave sound service to Community Centre, but the ball rarely penetrated the goal circle, and with the score West 33, Community Centre 15, West's margin again increased. Capable play by the West centres, P. Oldham. B. Gunn and D. Barry, gave West a monopoly of possession, and Community Centre failed to hold firm to any third, although S. Mac Neil showed out at times for conscientious effort. With the score West 40, Community Centre 18. West produced a

final effort which gave their opponents no scope, and the final whistle went with the score: West 52. Community Centre 20.

West's impressive victory owed much to the fine shooting and capable play of its forward. McMaster. It is to be hoped that Community Centre will recover from its recent setbacks, to which injuries have played a major part, and that as a newly promoted team they will find better form to subsequent matches. Referee: Mrs B. Little.

TECHNICAL V. KAKATAI Excellent shooting and competent field play by the forwards, J. Blair and L. Price, enabled Kakatai to gain a slight lead against Technical, and its superiority in this area of plav Increased as the spell progressed. Strong attacking moves Initiated by Technical’s P. Edmonds, with able support from C. Brown, gave -the Technical goal-shooter additional scoring chances, but her indifferent handling and irresolute play nullified many well executed moves, and Kakatai took full advantage of their opponents’ mistakes to increase their lead. , With the score Kakatai 15, Technical 10. play was stopped while Technical’s C. Brown received attention for a knee injury. and though she carried on. Technical’s attacking powers were slightly blunted for the remainder of this spell Winning possession frequently by its alert retrieving of missed shots, Kakatai had much the better of plav until half-time, when the score was: Kakatai 22. Technical 11.

When play resumed Technical quickly gained the initiative, and when the forward. J Kelly, from a penalty goal netted a long shot. Technical’s play strengthened in all thirds, and Kakatai suddenly found itself on the defensive. The Technical ’forwards. J. Kimber and J. Kelly, responded well to their side's challenge, and their competent goal-shooting enabled Technical to reduce Kakatai's lead. Technical's defence. J. Langrope and B. Wto*er. were ouick to take advantage of any indiscreet passes to the Kakatai forwards, and play became fast and exciting as Kakatai's lead lessened With the score Kakatai 29 Technical 28. Kakatai. against the run of play regained possession from a Technical infringement. and playin-* now with careful restraint, the forwards, J Blair and L. Price again exerted their early dominance, and Technical's chances slowly faded. Kakatai easily held their lead in the final few minutes, and won a good game by 37 goals to 33. Referee: Miss P. Gallagher. SACRED HEART V. TEACHERS’ COLLEGE Well timed interceptions by the defence, J. Ryall and H. Pooley, immediately gave Sacred Heart the initiative, and its superior teamwork completely subdued its opponents in the early stages. Sacred Heart gained a seven-goal lead before the College forwards netted their first shot.

Superior tactics forced the Colle’e centre into error, and

as its attacks went astray. Sacred Hearts agile centres, M. Hall, N. Fahey and H. Pooley, quickly brought play to the Sacred Heart forwards, C. Brady and J. Martin, who goaled well tc make the score: Sacred Heart 19, College 7. Sacred Heart’s initial burst of resolute play was not well sustained, and careless infringements hamperetj both teams Half-time score: Sacred Heart 22, Teachers' College 10. When play resumed. Sacred Heart's play was most disappointing. but its opponents did not immediately take advantage of the obvious slackening,

and Sacred Heart retained the initiative. With the score Sacred Heart 30 Teachers' -College 15. the College attack stiffened and the game became lively as Sacred Heart's moves were countered and College forwards goaied well. In the closing stages Teachers' College exploited Sacred Heart's weak links with some skill, and the forwards, undeterred now by Sacred Heart’s defence tactics, scored freely College maintained pressure until the final whistle sounded with the score Sacred Heart 37. Teachers' College 25. Referee: Mrs P. Edmonds.