Checkers Overwhelmed In Basketball

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31985, 12 May 1969, Page 20

Checkers Overwhelmed In Basketball

Y.M.C.A. gave notice that it would be a strong contender for the 1969 A grade inter-club men’s basketball championship when it overwhelmed the fancied Checkers-Y-Boys A team, 43-16, in the fifth round at Cowles Stadium on Saturday.

Checkers A, playing under the name of Y-Boys, last season finished runner-up to University A in the competition, but it will have to improve markedly on Saturday’s performance if it hopes to finish in the first three this time.

On the day, however, !♦ is doubtful if any team could have beaten Y.M.C.A. It seemed icapable of no wrong. Its series of long, difficult set shots at the beginning of the game met with remarkable success and Checkers A never recovered from this early onslaught. A game which was expected to be close turned out to be a one-sided affair.

Fortunately, the Checkers-Y-Boys B team salvaged some honour for the club by scoring a surprise victory over Burnham, 28-23. It was a major step forward for the young Checkers B side.

The 1968 champion side, University, scored a convincing 44-28 win over its B team, Old Maroons, but it had more than a few anxious moments before the final whistle. Old Maroons led 20-19 at half-time and it was not until late in the second spell that the University players gained control of the game. Points after five rounds are; University .8. Y.M.C.A. (yet to have the bye) 8. Old Boys 6, Checkers A 4. Checkers B 2, Old Maroons 2, Burnham 2. CHECKERS A UPSET Y.M.C.A. 43: M- Clements 8, R Millard 8. D. Symonds 7, P. Lund-Jackson 7. B. Heppen stall 5, P. Ross 2, I. Simson 6. CHECKERS A 16: C. Morris 6, N. Vincent 6, K. Ewings 4.

The unusual success of Y.M.C.A.’s early set shots appeared to badly upset Checkers A and there was never more

than a glimpse of the form it is capable of. Once Y.M.C.A. established its early lead the Checkers players seemed to become demoralised and their play was disorganised. In contrast, Y.M.C.A. reached an exceptionally high standard, carrying out its moves and scor ing with almost mechanical pre cision. There were no weak links and its tall players, R. Millard and P. Lund-Jackson, gave it a dominance over the backboards. However, there could have been a dramatic change of fortunes in the final spell. Y.M.C.A. lost M. Clements with five fouls and two other key players were only one foul short of being sent from the court. Before he went off. Clements did some fine work on attack and D. Symonds was always on hand to cover up any mistakes. Lund-Jackson was always a threat. Checkers A seemed unable to get its shots away cleanly and with its fast break movement not functioning had difficulty scoring points. Only three players scored and only two of these, C. Morris and N. Vincent, looked dangerous. SURPRISE WIN CHECKERS ■ 28: M. Haberfleld 8, D. Lomax 8, B. Goodwin «, W. Morgan 2, G. Hullah 2, R. Moore 2. ■URNHAM 23: P. Trass 8, G. Costello 4. B. Watson 4, J. Talbot 4, G. Fairhurst 2, M. Rooertson 1. Both teams were seeking their first competition points and it was obvious from the start that no effort was to be spared. Burnham set the early scoring pace but at half time lack of fitness seemed to be affecting it and it was trailing 12-13. The second spell was also even, with Checkers B inching ahead in the last five minutes to win by five points.

For Checkers B it was a pleas ing result. It was widely felt that the more experienced Armv players would carry the day but they allowed themselves to get badly rattled under pressure and missed many simple, scoring opportunities. Burnham perhaps had the j more constructive approach to I the game but its shooting was very weak and its rebounding almost as bad. Checkers B worked very hard. It could have made its task a lot easier with a few simple blocks and switches.

In the rebound department. W. Morgan and M. Haberfleld gave Checkers B the advantage. Their work under the boards was impressive and Haberfleld proved himself a solid driver on attack as well. D. Lomax played easily his be st game.

although his free throws were still below standard.

For Burnham, only G. Costello ■and P. Trass played up to the standard expected of A grade players.

BEARDED TEAM UNIVERSITY A 44: J. Utley 12. J. Culliford 10, T. Guthrie 6. P. Stigley 6, A. Taylor 6, J. Yii 4.

OLD MAROONS 28: J. Stead 8. W. Smith 8, J. Riley 4, J. Lorentz 4, P. Riddell 4.

Every members of the University A side except J. Yii took the court proudly display ing a beard. However, Old Maroons did not let this awesome sight upset them and proceeded to prove to their more-favoured opponents that they would have to work hard for victory. The first half was a tremendous tussle and at half-time Old Maroons led 20-19. University A was lucky to be this close.

Old Maroons continued to hold the University players in check for almost half the second spell, but from 24-all after five min utes the score went to 24-38. The collapse of Old Maroons coincided with the departure from the court with five fouls of J. Stead. He played one of his bsst games and with another former Canterbury representative, W. E. Smith, was a source of worry to the University defenep.

J. Utley was University’s outstanding player. His work in the centre was excellent and his rebound ability sebond to none T. Guthrie also played well, especially in the early stages when his team looked far from invincible.

LOWER GRADES Other results were:

B Grade.—Taxes A 41, Old Boys B 33; Y.M.C.A. B 2, University C 0; Rangiora A 56, YBoys C 24. B Reserve.—Police 25, Y-Boys D 20; Orients A 39. Lincoln Col lege A 16; 1.8. M. A 31, Burnsco A 21; University G 30, Rangiora B 19; Wigram 11, Rex A 10.

C Grade.—Cashmere 33, St Andrew’s A 19; Christchurch Boys' High School A 43, Old Boys C 24; University E 29, Toe H 24: Stars A 31, Burnham B 30. C Reserve —Fletcher’s A 28. University H 10; Mairehau High School C 26, Rex B 10.

D Grade. —Deaf Club 34. Stars B 18; N.A.C. A 18, Checkers-Y-Boys E 9.

D Reserve —Lincoln College B 32, Orients B 24; Burnsco B 24, Rangiora E 10; 1.8. M. B 22, Fiet cher's B 4: Rangiora A 34. Shirley Boys' High School A 18. Under 20.—Shirley Boys' High School B 22. Rangiora High School B 20: Christ's College 30, Mairehau High School A 24.