Netball season begins well

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33532, 13 May 1974, Page 14

Netball season begins well

The opening round in the Canterbury Netball Association premier championship on Saturday provided some good games which gave promise for an interesting season. In a game consisting almost entirely of defensive tactics, Sacred Heart B snatched victory from Teachers’ College A in the latt’er stages. Sacred Heart A, looking a more settled team, had no difficulty defeating Burnside A, while Riccarton A disposed of St Nicholas A with little difficulty. Cashmere A, making its debut in Che senior grade, was unlucky to draw Technical A and was soundly beaten, and Hagley was too strong for New Brighton A. Results: Sacred Heart B, 24, Teachers College A 20. Sacred Heart A 38, Burnside A 23. Technical A 45, Cashmere A 15. Riccarton A 36, St Nicholas A 22. Hagley A 34, New Brighton A 15. STRONG DEFENCE Excellent work by the Sacred Heart B defence contained the Teachers’ College A forward line and troubled its combination in the circle. However, V. Royale and C. Honeybone shot some difficult goals when they managed to penetrate the circle and College took an early lead. A. Allborough played tighfly in the goal-keep position to worry S. Hundleby in goal. Sacred Heart B had the opportunities to equal the scores, but its forwards had difficulty setfling into their combinations and College went further ahead. However, some excellent interceptions by P. Flynn, P. Devine and A. Keating provide Sacred Heart with scoring opportunities, and the forwards were able fo narrow the gap at half-time to 12-9. With Its forwards finding their combinations. Sacred Heart evened the scores at 13-13, and as the College forwards became bustled under fhe pressure and missed vital shots Sacred Heart went on to a deserved win AGGRESSIVE PLAY Sacred Heart A, looking a much more aggressive team, combined effectively to take an early lead over Burnside. With some excellent defensive work by M. Gee, S. Mene and P. Mac Lean and good shooting, Sacred Heart held a comfortable lead at half-time, 17-11.

K. Luney played her usual controlled game at centre, continuously keeping Burnside on attack and pushing play towards the circle where C. Annan and C. Stone shot well under heavy pressure. The Sacred Heart forward line functioned well, with J. Harnett and J. Fowke forming a useful combination in the circle and

.shooting accurately. M. Smith, at Mtack, performed with vigour and determination. OVERAWED I Cashmere A unlucky to draw Technical in its first game at semur let el. the young ,eam xuotted a nttie in awe vi I'ecnnwais fast, aggressive play $n tne upemng sUj.es, ana too* dvttie lime to setue down. tvs siowness <.u direct the ball chrouga me centre court cost it may uiiances and Technical was aoie tu capitauae on this detect to lead at hail-time. A concerted eiiort io penetrate Techmem s venire-court Dioek saw Uasnmere improve and it wa.> ume io triple its score in the second han. for levmiical, S. Morton, S. Langrope and a. Pearce piayed consistently, and F. Gi dinger and K. roster were in good snooting iorm. EASY WIN Riccarton was too strong for St Nicholas, particularly in the iurwaius wiieie the long-standing comoinauun ox u Gemmen ana ivr. Kicharason cailca the tune. ■■ The St Nicholas lor wards were trouoied to shoot against the | tenacious guarding oi .ne Kiccai- ; ton aetence line and their missed shots cost at Nicholas many goais. Riccarton led 16-n at haatune. me Si Nicholas defences, although hard, were unable tu counter Riccarton’s forward tactics, allowing Che shooters to get in position. In the latter stages Riccarton was fully in control. COMFORTABLE WIN Although Hagley held the advantage in the early stages, its forwards experienced trouble finding their circle combinations and this enabled New Brighton to keep the scoring down. C. Pietzner played with her usual vigour and was well supported by defenders, E. Regan and M. Bachelor, who troubled the Brighton forward line throughout. Brighton’s C. Davidson and A. McLelland, excelled on defence fo force R. Pahi out of play in the goal-circle and the young L. Pugh came into her own at goal attack to field and score well and keep Hagley ahead. Although Hagley won well, Brighton could have given stiffer opposition had its forwards been able to outwit the Hagley defence tactics.

Soccer.—The under 23 soccer international between England and Turkey was abandoned as a goal-less draw at half-time after torrential rain flooded the pitch in Ankara.

Basketball.—Russia beat the United States. 89-85 (half-time score 45-41) in a men’s basketball match in Moscow.