BASKETBALL Sacred Heart Has Good Win; New Brighton Beats West B

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30836, 23 August 1965, Page 18

BASKETBALL Sacred Heart Has Good Win; New Brighton Beats West B

The thirteenth round of the Canterbury Basketball Association’s senior competition was played on Saturday at South Hagley Park. The bustle and excitement of planning for the New Zealand tournament pervaded the atmosphere, and senior teams responded by providing lively and interesting games.

Sacred Heart, forced to field three substitutes, gave an impressive display and was seldom troubled by St. Nicholas. New Brighton enhanced its claims to the Joyce Edwards Cup by narrowly beating West B in a hard-fought game, and West A won by default from Teachers’ College. Technical had the bye.

Results were:— Sacred Heart A 38, St. Nicholas 30. New Brighton 27, West B 25. Competition points are:— West A 22, Technical and New Brighton 14, Sacred Heart 12, West B 11, St. Nicholas 4, Teachers’ College 1. SACRED HEART v. ST. NICHOLAS Although fielding three substitutes and somewhat affected by the five weeks’ spell since its last game, Sacred Heart quickly settled down and its supporters were greatly heartened by the smooth cohesion the players speedily attained. Sound defensive tactics by goalkeeper, J. Ryall, and B. Murphy forced the St. Nicholas forwards into simple errors, and from gains in this third Sacred Heart’s attack developed. Capable and enterprising centre play by substitutes, N. Gilligan, B. Durkin and J. Fowke, gave scoring chances, and forwards, J. Martin and C. O’Connell, were in brilliant form. Their accurate shooting from all round the circle gave the St. Nicholas defence little scope, and Sacred Heart built up a 21-11 lead by half-time. St. Nicholas found form in the second half, and the defence, B. Aitchison and S. Jones, guarded the Sacred Heart forwards with zealous care. As their play tightened and Sacred Heart’s shooting became less accurate, St. Nicholas attacked vigorously, and the forwards, N. Baker and L. Weastell, deftly evaded the Sacred Heart defence. Sacred Heart’s half-time lead was steadily reduced and play became fast and exciting when St. Nicholas narrowed the gap to four goals. With little time remaining, Sacred Heart carefully eliminated errors and forged ahead by resolute play in the final minutes. But their margin of victory was slightly flattering. Referee: Mrs V. Clarke. WEST B v. NEW BRIGHTON The fate of the runner-up trophy hinged on the result of this game, and it was obvious from the outset that the Joyce Edwards Cup was a trophy worth striving for. Although West B was without key players, the replacements from the club’s A team strengthened an already competent team. But this advantage, on paper at least, probably gave New Brighton added determination, which in the final result, proved vital. Play was very willing in the early stages and infringements

numerous, but the West forwards, L. King and L. Dawson, achieved good combination and West gained a slight lead. New Brighton was not impressive on attack, and West’s moves from its throw-off were well executed.

Resolute attempts to intercept their shots at goal by New Brighton’s M. Neiman and C. Holland effectively restricted West’s shooting accuracy, and New Brighton’s use of possession from these vital gains was skillfully directed by the captain, M. Neiman, and scores were level at 8-all.

As tension increased, play became willing, but West’s L. Dawson revealed unsuspected ability in the difficult role of goal attack, and mainly because of her sound positional play, West again gained a two-goal lead.

New Brighton resisted strongly and D. Smith relieved pressure with a superb shot to make the half-time score, West B 13, New Brighton 12. Play in the second half was most interesting. The duel between these two well-matched teams provided spectators with a rare treat and the issue remained in doubt almost to the final whistle. New Brighton’s

youthful wing-attack, K. Emery, abandoned the tentative approach which has characterised her play in recent games and proved a worthy successor to J. Blair. Her capable passing and good handling gave the New Brighton forwards, J. Buchanan and D. Smith, good scoring chances, and New Brighton led by three goals. West fought back, but careless infringements at vital moments caused its attack to lose momentum, and New Brighton, although severely tested, clung to its precarious two-goal margin until the final whistle. Referee: Mrs B. Little. Lower Grade Basketball Results of lower grade men’s indoor basketball matches are: B Grade.—Taxes 39, Hagley 12; Deaf Boys A 24, Shirley Old Boys 22- Burnsco A 40, N.A.C. A 13; Y Boys C 17, Stars 15. C Grade—Y.M.C.A. D 24, Rangiora C 17; Y Boys D 15, Lyttelton 13; Woolston 11, Toe H 110.