Technical B beats New Brighton in netball

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32970, 17 July 1972, Page 10

Technical B beats New Brighton in netball

Against expectations, the Technical B netball team maintained its winning form with a four-point victory against New Brighton on Saturday.

Its win, in the eleventh round of the competition, was mainly because of superior goalshooting.

In a scrappy, uninteresting game, Bumside maintained its slim lead from the outset of play to avenge its first round defeat by Sacred Heart B, and Technical, fielding a depleted A team, won comfortably from a disorganised Teachers’ College A team. Sacred Heart A, although challenged early, was not troubled to win against an aggressive Riccarton team. Hagley A and St Nicholas A had the byes in sections one and two. Results:— Technical B 32, New Brighton A 28 Sacred Heart B 22, Burnside A 25 Technical A 32, Teachers* College A 19 Sacred Heart A 47, Riccarton A 23 Technical B v. New Brighton A Technical took the initiative from the outset, to lead Brighton by three points. The Brighton attack, under the steadying influence of the former New Zealand captain, J. Blair, showed marked improvement in its positional play and the score was levelled at 12-aIL D. Tetai displayed her usual prowess in her goal shooting, but Technical, through some poor passing in mid-court, allowed Brighton to lead at half-time, 16-14. New Brighton adopted zoning tactics in the Technical goal

area, setting two players on D. Tetai in an effort to force her out of play, and to encourage a less accurate J. Lambie to take over the shooting. This venture worked effectively for some time, and the forwards looked bustled and made many mistakes. However, the New Brighton defenders relaxed the pressure, and with Tetai finding herself free to shoot with accuracy, Technical again took the lead.

Brighton had its to take command, with Blaii* feeding beautifully placed balls into the circle, but the forwards failed to take advantage, and it was in this that Brighton lost the game. Burnside A v. Sacred Heart B Sacred Heart allowed Burnside to dictate play, and did not seem able to establish its own pattern. M. Dhyburg excelled in the wing-defence position, but her interceptions and tips were nullified as fellow players lost control with poorly directed passing. Burnside’s attack, led by the reliable C. Haughey, functioned smoothly, and the shooters, although harassed at times by Sacred Heart’s defenders, A. Martin and A. Van Woerkum, used their height to receive high balls and rebounds to shoot accurately and lead narrowly. Sacred Heart looked most uncoordinated in its attacking play and was fortunate through some unlucky drops by Bumside defenders, to receive so many scoring chances. Bumside led at half-time, 13-10. Sacred Heart lost its initiative with poorly-directed passing and positional play to allow Bumside a distinct advantage to lead further. Play became scrappy and uninteresting as players contacted continuously, and the game did not appear to be up to standard. ■ The final score was a fair indication of the game. Technical A v. Teachers' College A Although still missing the services of S. Langrope and having two positional team changes, Technical functioned creditably to take the lead. S. Richards replaced M. Holland in the goal

attack position, D. Tetai filled the goal shoot position, and J. Watson played in the centre. This attacking line, although not as competent as usual, worked hard and did not seem too troubled by the College defenders. The College forwards, C. Honeybone and J. Hughey, seemed troubled in the early stages against the strong defence work of S. Rogers and L. Burney, but settled as the game progressed to score some good line shots. Technical led, 18-9, at halftime. College settled its combinations in mid-court and play flowed smoothly. A. Ogilvie and O. Van Veltnooven defended strongly, and the inexperienced combination of S. Richards and D. Tetai looked a little shaky at times against this strong guarding. Technical’s defenders, S. Rogers and L. Burney, played a big part in their team’s win, and made many good saves to keep Technical in continuous attack and keep control of the game. Sacred Heart A v. Riccarton A Riccarton challenged Sacred Heart from the start of play and maintained pressure to even scores at 8-all. However, the superior strength of Sacred Heart players told, and with all thirds functioning smoothly, Sacred Heart took a comfortable lead. P. Beban ‘proved herself an aggressive opponent to Riccarton’s K. Maxwell and formed a solid link from defence to attack. Sacred Heart led at halftime, 22-12. Riccarton’s defenders, V. Henderson and M. King, guarded energetically, but were unable to cope with the fast, experienced combination of J. Harnett and E. Price in the goal circle. The game did not sparkle, but there were some good tactical movements through the court by both sides. The Riccarton forwards, D. Shearer and M. Richardson, were forced to use their skills against the vigorous guarding of the Sacred Heart defenders, B. Rowberry and M. Mcßride, to find good shooting positions.