West A Retains Command In Women’s Basketball

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30497, 20 July 1964, Page 5

West A Retains Command In Women’s Basketball

Eleventh round games in the Canterbury Basketball Association’s senior competition were played on Saturday, but results were strictly according to form and the games produced little that was memorable.

Technical outclassed Riccarton . Community Centre, but the competition leader, West A, took a long time to establish definite superiority over Teachers’ College. Sacred Heart, narrowly defeated by St. Nicholas in the first round game, was a convincing winner on Saturday, and New Brighton was inuch too sound for West B.

Results:— Technical 33, Riccarton 13. West A 30, Teachers' College 17. Sacred Heart 31, St. Nicholas 21. New Brighton 32, West B 24. Competition points:—West A 20, Technical 18, New Brighton 14, Sacred Heart 12, St. Nicholas 11, West B 8, Teachers’ College 5, Riccarton 0, Team-work Excellent team-work gave Technical control in all thirds and Riccarton was given few chances to attack as Technical’s J. Kelly and J. Kimber goaled with Impressive accuracy. Riccarton’s rare moments on attack were invariably checked by Technical’s splendid defence, C. Brown and B. Winter. Technical's centres, P. Edmonds, J. Courtier and G. McFarlane, gave fine support to their defence and forward thirds and Technical’s attack was strengthened by the incredibly careless play of their opponents. The half-time score was Technical 19, Riccarton Community Centre 4.

Riccarton made a more determined effort in the second half, and its forwards, with better support from centres, frequently foiled Technical’s keen defence to gain good shooting positions. Technical’s considerable first-half lead, however,' ensured success and In the closing stages of this half its forwards were again able to augment their already large lead at a brisk pace. Referee: Miss E. Hook. West Lethargic Although West never appeared to be threatened with defeat, it gave the impression of being rather Indifferent and this air of lethargy persisted

throughout the first spell. Fine shooting by West’s C. McMaster and L. L. King gave West an early lead, but College counterattacked and V. Bennett was in brilliant form. Capably guarded throughout by West's K. Price and M. Islip, the College forwards were forced to shoot from just within the circle, but Bennett's splendid shots prevented West achieving mastery in the defence third and without support from this third its play was erratic and unconvincing. Although set moves rarely reached their objective, fine saves were made by the College defence, B. Donnelly and H. Pooiey, who with the centre, P. Jones, worked hard to gain scoring chances for their forwards. Determined defensive play by the goal-keeper, K. Price, quickly unsettled the College attack and gradually West’s grip on the game strengthened. Mainly through the efforts of K. Price and M. Islip. Teachers’ College in the second half was allowed few opportunities to play an attacking game, and West took full advantage of their opponents mistakes. Although hampered by a strong, gusty wind in the final stages West revealed glimpses of more polished play. Referee: Miss Green (Temuka). Disappointing Attacking with determination and good understanding, Sacred Heart quickly established a four-goal lead, but as the wind strengthened, the early accuracy of the forwards, J. Martin and C. O’Connell, failed, and the St. Nicholas defence, B. Altchison and S. Jones, was swift to take advantage of this uncertainty and play became hard, and fast. Careless infringements frequently cost possession, but St. Nicholas

forwards, too, did not find the windy conditions much to their liking and the Sacred Heart defence, J. Ryall and K. O’Reilly, by their well-timed interceptions and swift acceptance of their opponents’ missed shots, were able to keep Sacred Heart on attack. Exerting strong pressure in all thirds Sacred Heart then displayed their most convicing form. More incisive play by centres N. Gilligan, substitute. J. Pooiey and the astute N. Morrow, ensured greater support for the forwards and C. O’Connell and J. Martin easily eluded the St. Nicholas defence to goal frequently. After their lively play last week, the St. Nicholas centres greatly disappointed their supporters by failing to curb Sacred Heart’s moves, and the individual efforts of centre E. Hook would have been more successful with better backing up. Referee: Mrs F. Gough. Slow To Start West B was slow to find form against New Brighton, which had little difficulty in penetrating the defence to establish a three-goal lead. West B rallied when a splendid shot by the forward,’A. Wood, was netted and as Its play developed more cohesion was able to reduce New Brighton’s lead. Neither team achieved good combination and their failure to adhere to set moves allowed passes to be intercepted and there were frequently careless infringements. West’s defence, L. Farr and S. Kenyon; kept New Brighton's experienced forwards strictly checked and mainly through L. Farr’s splendid retrieving of missed shots, West B gained the lead at 10-9. New Brighton’s play steadied and with admirable support

from the centres, J. Spang and L. Walker, the forwards, J. Blair and L. Price, shot with greater accuracy and by halftime New Brighton led, 16-13. West B attacked strongly when play resumed and their forwards, A. Woods and S. ■Dunn, goaled well. Play became hard and fast and West brought scores level at 16-all. New Brighton was then seen to advantage, as their experienced combination gradually tightened in all thirds and West B was unable to sustain its attack as New Brighton’s pressure increased. Careless infringements robbed ■ West B of scoring opportunities and in the final stages New Brighton’s play became polished and confident. Referee: Miss P. Gallagher.