Old Boys humbled by Checkers in basketball

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33610, 12 August 1974, Page 14

Old Boys humbled by Checkers in basketball

Checkers remained in the limelight for the second successive week when they gained a superb 85-51 victory over the strong High School Old Boys line-up during the twelfth round of the Canterbury men's basketball club championship in Cowles Stadium on Saturday.

' The win was not totally unI expected in view of Checkers’ 1 shock success over the competition leader, Y.M.C.A.. the previous Saturday but Old Boys should have been capable of providing stiffer resistance than they did. Even taking into account the loss of their outstanding centre, J. Utley, who chipped a bone in his left arm in the previous round, they were , disappointing. This was the fifth meeting of the season between Checkers and Old Boys and only the first time that Checkers have won. However, their victories over the two top teams in successive weeks have boosted their points tally to 18 and lifted them up into second place, level with Old Boys. Y.M.C.A., which scored a shattering 120-36 win over lowly Burnside, remains at the top of the competition with 22 points and with three matches remaining—all against little-favoured sides—seems certain to retain its title.

In the third A grade game played, Mairehau beat University, 66-62. This was an entertaining encounter between two evenly-matched teams, and the outcome was in doubt until the dying seconds. The lead changed twice in the final minute before Mairehau gained the two baskets it needed for victory. Previously, University and Mairehau were level on six points. The 6ft 4in New Zealand trialist, S. Ferguson (Y.M.C.A.), headed the individual scoring honours. His personal tally of 38 points against Bumside was the highest of the season. Two other players in the same team scored 20 or more, B. Shipley (28) and P. Carpinter (20). Other high scorers were B. Searle (University) with 22 and R. Cooke (Checkers) with 20. Competition points: Y.M.C.A. 22, Checkers 18, Old Boys 18, Mairehau 8 University 6, Burnside 0. FINE EFFORT ‘ Checkers 85: R. Cooke 20, S. Patrick 18, D. Barry 13, R. McCormack 11, A. Bigwood 9, P. Trass 6, L. Brown-Haysom 4, M. Johnson 2, B. Knops 2. Old Boys 51: C. R. Dickel 13, D. J. Green 10, R. Smith 8, T.

Guthrie 8. A. Ward 8, S. Guth-j rie 2. W Daniel 2. Although Old Bovs were without L tlev. and Dickel was handicapped bv a muscle injury, this match was still expected to be a close encounter. However. Checkers placed with such splendid efficiency in the early stages of the first spell that Old Bovs were left struggling. Old Bovs, who had previously been beaten only by Y.M.C.A.. never recovered. , , Thev were nine points behind after onlv smin. 17 points behind after lOmin and when halftime was reached they were trailing. 23-47. Old Bovs held their own for a time in the second spell but could make no headway, and eventually went down by 34 points. „ This was by no means a flattering winning margin. Checkers were markedly superior in every facet of plav. They rebounded well off both boards, their offence was far more disciplined and their defence—now the man-to-man variety instead of the zone—was most impressive. Old Boys played like a team of individuals and were never allowed a shot which was not under severe pressure. Lacking height, they gained little possession. Checkers plaved a well • balanced game and showed great depth of ability on their bench | Cooke was not quite up to the exceptional standard he set the : previous Saturday, but still managed to pick up 20 points with some excellent work close to the boards. The 6ft sin centre. Bigwood, showed that his days as an apprentice A grade player were over, collecting a high percentage of rebounds and scoring well. Patrick, too, was in tremendous form under the backboards.

The Old Boys players generally had a wretched time and none achieved their true levels. Dickel scored well enough, but missed some shots which would normally present no problems. Ward and Smith played with greater assurance than some of their more highly rated teammates but they' could do little on their own to turn the ide. Century score Y.M.C.A. 120; S. Ferguson 38, B. Shiplev 28, P. Carpinter 20, R. Millard 14, J. Bosch 12, R. Manthei 8 BURNSIDE 34: N Costain 8, A. Atchison 7. A. Green 7, G. McKay 5. G. Ferris 3, B. Young 2. S. Fifield 2, M. Mackay 2. In this match between the top and bottom teams of the competition there could only be one possible oucome. Y.M.C.A. took only seconds to gain the initiat’ve. It was ahead. 16-3, after smin and at half-time led. 57-36. The pressure was maintained throughout the second spell and Y M.C.A. reached the century with 7min of play still remaining. Its final tally of 120 was the highest of the season. Ferguson was in great form, scoring almost at will, Shipley

■nd Carplnter both Micceedcd with their shots with almost monotonous regularity The Burnside players were com pletely outclassed In ail departments. CLOSE GAME MAIREHAU 66: Pierre Dalg. neault 18, M. Seaward 16. ,1 MeDowell 10, G. Phillip- 8, P.uil Daigneault 6. G. Jamison 6, 11 'university 62: B Searle 22. W E. Smith 14, N Daniel 14. H Bier 10, I Simson 2 After a rather indifferent start, University recovered well and the two teams were on eten terms for almost the entire game First one. and then the other gained a slight advantage but never held it for long Mairehau led. 30-24. at halftime. It made better use of its possession and, with 6min of the second half gone, was ahead. 42-32. However. Uniyersity rallied superbly and "min later the scores were level at 42-all From that point, there was nothing between the two teams In the final smin. the lead changed four times, and the scores were level on four other occasions. Mairehau owed much of its success to the guard. Pierre Daigneault. It was his control in mid-court and his excellent long shooting which did most to destroy University’s hopes Sea ward and McDowell also played well The outstanding figure for University was Searle, who balanced his play nicely , with long shooting and blazing drives. Smith was also particularly effective on offence, and Daniel rebounded with great strength and purpose.