WOMENS BASKETBALL West A Too Good For Technical

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30782, 21 June 1965, Page 6

WOMENS BASKETBALL West A Too Good For Technical

The Canterbury Basketball Associatton’s senior competition reached the half-way mark on Saturday when seventh-round games were played. Conditions were ideal and results confirmed the superiority of the leading contenders for this year’s championship honours. West A recorded its most impressive form of the season to beat Technical, its closest rival. Sacred Heart, too, revealed unsuspected skill to gain victory over West B and New Brighton was seldom extended by the Teachers’ College side. St. Nicholas had the bye. Competition points are: West A 12; Sacred Heart, Technical 8; West B 7; New Brighton 6; St. Nicholas 3; Teachers’ College 0. Results: — West A 31, Technical 19. s New Brighf m 31, Teachers’ College 16. Sacred Heart 41, West B 26. NEW BRIGHTON v. TEACHERS' COLLEGE Capable play by the centre and forward thirds enabled New Brighton to make full use of possession and the vigilant defence of C. Holland and M. Neiman prevented the Teachers’ College attack functioning with much success. New Brighton’s forward combination, D Smith and J. Buchanan, showed signs of developing into a strong unit. Rarely was the College defence permitted to intercept shots at goal, and rebounds were usually seized by New Brighton. The College centres, S. Langrope, H. Pooley and D. Roberts, gave tireless support, but their efforts to place their forwards on attack were usually foiled by the adament New Brighton defenders. The half-time score was New Brighton 18, Teachers’ College 7.

Improved positional play in al) thirds helped Teachers' College to make play in the second half less one-sided.. Although the result was never in doubt, the Teachers’ College forwards, A. Skilling and J. Morrison, were able to counter New Brighton’s defence tactics to some extent and their improved showing in this spell gave their defence and centre thirds considerable encouragement. New Brighton’s superiority on attack, however, proved decisive. Referee: Mrs A. Morgan. SACRED HEART V. WEST B

West B was strengthened by the inclusion of the West A goalkeeper, K. Price. who marked Sacred Heart’s captain, J. Martin, but playing Price out of position did not produce the desired result. Infringements, particularly in the goal

area, prevented defence from playing a decisive role in this game, and most of the scoring in the early stages was the result of penalty shots or free passes.

At four-all, a well-judged interception by Martin gave Sacred Heart the initiative and from this point, with strong teamwork - in all areas, Sacred Heart increased its pressure Although the West forward. L. Dawson, shot impressively there was little tight combination among other forwards, and Sacred Heart’s B. Murphy, using sound defensive tactics, was able to maintain control of West’s S. Dunn.

With J. Pooley closely marking West’s wing attack, A. Woods, West’s play from set moves was often faulty and Sacred Heart was able to maintain its early advantage until half-time when the score was Sacred Heart 20, West B 14. Sacred Heart was in fine form in the second spell. Playing with assurance and intelligence, the Sacred Heart forwards, O’Connell and Martin, shot accurately and the West defence, Price and Kenyon, Were forced to exert every skill to effectively restrict Martin’s capable forward play. With strong support from the resolute H. Glubb and the centre, M. Dyhrberg, Sacred Heart remained on attack for long periods in this half and only the West defence offered any serious opposition. Referee? Mrs V. Clark./ TECHNICAL v. WEST A T

As Technicals captain, C. Brown, was not available for this game, B. Rowe guarded the goal and J. Mcßeth replaced C. Brown. Mcßeth, in an unaccustomed position, was quite unable to curb the brilliant play of West’s C. McMaster. Fine positional play, smooth combination between centres and forward areas and extremely accurate shooting enabled West to build a formidable lead and Technical was unable to effectively counter. The West defence, K. Price, M. Islip and L. Farr, were vigilant and determined, but Technical s centres completely underestimated their opponent’s ability and their faulty passes to the forward, J. Kimber, allowed the West defence many opportunities for well-judged interceptions. The half-time score was West 17, Technical 7. Technical revealed more form in the second half and Rowe and Mcßeth achieved better mastery over the West forwards, who had to struggle hard to maintain their firsthalf advantage. Strong and unceasing support from West’s centres, H. Hutton and M. Hansen, helped the West forwards, L. King and C. McMaster, to resist Technicals defence, and West held a 13goal lead until well into the second spell. A fine shot by Kimber encouraged Technical to greater effort and in the final stages Technical thoroughly tested West. Referee: Miss E. Hooke (South Canterbury).