Technical’s First Loss Of Basketball Season

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30764, 31 May 1965, Page 18

Technical’s First Loss Of Basketball Season

Technical suffered its first defeat of the season by going down to West B in the most exciting and interesting game in the fourth round of the senior basketball competition.

West A had to struggle hard for long periods before St. Nicholas finally succumbed, but Sacred Heart had an easy win over its old rival, New Brighton. Results: Sacred Heart 42, New Brighton 24. West B 29, Technical 27. West A 34, St. Nicholas 24. Competition points are:—West A and Technical 6, West B 5. Sacred Heart 4. St. Nicholas 3. New Brighton and Teachers’ College 0. West B v. Technical Technical, which fielded two substitutes, was rather tentative in the early stages and West B quickly seized the initiative and attacked with determination and skill. The forwards S. Dunn and L. Dawson were in form and West quickly established a four-goal

lead. The Technical defence. C. Brown and B. Rowe, gave the West forwards a thorough testing and play became lively as both teams found form.

Defensive play of a high quality was seen in the next f ew minutes with West’s P. Fletcher and S. Kenyon keeping the Technical forwards under

close scrutiny and B. Rowe and C. Brown marking, intercepting and seizing rebounds with zest. Forced to shoot from just within the circle, the West forwards were most accurate and mainly through superiority with these difficult shots. West maintained its initial lead throughout this first spell. The halftime score was West B 17. Technical 15. The normally efficient Technical centre third had been

slightly impaired after injury to W. Kingma who, though able to continue playing, was more easily restrained than usual. This and the lack of cohesion between the Technical forwards. ,T. Kimber and the substitute. C. Good, caused Technical’s plav to take on a desperate quality. Both teams incurred many penalties. Technical’s defence held firm throughout and when the West forwards were penalised for Infringements in the circle. Technicals J. Kimber goaled brilliantly to bring scores level at 24-all. The final stages were most exciting. Scores continued level to 26-all, when penalties against the Technical defence gave the weary West forwards some respite and they goaled successfully to lead again by three goals. Technical’s strong play in the closing stages brought stubborn resistance from West B. which won deservedly. Referee: Mrs F. Gough. Sacred Heart v. New Brighton Play was hard and even in the early minutes, but thereafter Sacred Heart’s superior play, particularly by the centre and forwards, kept New Brighton subdued. A rearrangement of the Sacred Heart team has eliminated some of the difficulties apparent in earlier games and the centres. H. Glubb, M. Dyhberg and J. Pooley, combined well, offering strong and sustained support

to both defence and forward thirds. New Brighton did not have the happiest of days. Some changes in the team were necessary because of injury to its reliable forward. L. Price. In the first half frequent penalties conceded by the capable defence, M. Neiman

and C. Holland, and. surprisingly, by the wing attack, J.; Blair, hampered the develop-, ment of its attack. In addition, the wing defence. J. Brownie, had to be replaced after a head I injury. The player-referee. N.| White, ran from the other side , of Hagley Park to act as re- 1 placement. It was not surprising that i Sacred Heart quickly and I efficiently exploited New’ Brighton's lack of cohesion and! had established a match; winning lead by half-time when I the score was Sacred Heart 25. New Brighton 14. Sacred Heart maintained the advantage throughout the second spell. although New Brighton resisted stronglv in all thirds. Sacred Heart s J. Mar tin and C. O'Connell were in fine form. The defence. J Byall, gave her best display of, the season as goalkeeper, and, with B. Murphy, kept the New Brighton forwards well checked, i New Brighton's M. Neiman and C. Holland maintained pressure on the Sacred Heart I forwards throughout this half, with little reward, but without! their persistence, New [ Brighton's improved showing in’ this half could not have been achieved. White plaved soundly and passed skilfully. Referee: Mrs A. Morgan. St. Nicholas v. West A

From the outset West A gained a territorial advantage, and was four goals ahead! before St. Nicholas found form. Thereafter West's every move was swiftly countered by energetic arid unorthodox play by the St. Nicholas forwards. Playing for the first time as goal attack, the St. Nicholas centre. N. Baker, gave fine support to L. Weastell and G. Glue. This trio attacked strongly for the remainder of this spell. West A offered little counter to the mounting efficiency of St. Nicholas and the game was close and even until half-time, when the score was West A 17. St. Nicholas 15. West’s defence, M. Islip and K. Price, were more to the fore in this half and scoring chances for St. Nicholas were severely restricted. The St. Nicholas defence, S. Jones and R. Inwood, however, kept the West A forwards well checked and their determined retrieving of unsuccessful shots enabled St. Nicholas to come within one goal of West late In this half. In the closing stages St. Nicholas surrendered and West were seen to advantage for the first time in the game. The forwards. C. McMaster and L. King, goaled well and West's winning margin was distinctly Battering. Final score West A 34. St. Nicholas 24. Referee: Mrs B. Little.