Mairehau and Checkers lose

Press, 15 June 1979, Page 20

Mairehau and Checkers lose

PA Napier Centrals’ ball carrier, Julie Farrell, burst into tears when her Wellington team came from behind to win a place in the semi-finals of the national women’s basketball championships, v at Napier yesterday. Centrals beat Checkers, of Christchurch, 51-50, in the last seconds of their game to join Boystown (Auckland), Kotuku (Hamilton), and the defending champions Crichton Ford (Napier) in the semi-finals.

Between sniffles, Farrell, one of the consistent scorers for Centrals, said she did not normally become so emotional about basketball. “I was just overcome, exhausted and so pleased," she said. Centrals trailed all the way to Checkers and at one stage, midway through the second half, were down by 10 points. But their fortunes changed immediately after they slapped a full court press on Checkers.

Checkers game crumpled under the pressure, they threw loose passes, and unnecessarily hurried their shots.

With 90 seconds to go, they still led, 50-47, but allowed Centrals to steal twice to score and win the game. Centrals’ coach, Darrel Surman, was too hoarse to talk at the end of the game. Crichton, seeking their third title, turned on their most impressive display of the championships as they outplayed Mairehau, 59-29. But two of the leading

contenders for the title, Boy stow n and Kotuku, almost came unstuck in their matches with Akarana

(Auckland), and Otago University respectively. Akarana, who had not l won a single game, threw caution to the wind and unsettled the giants, Boystown, and very nearly pulled off an upset. Thev outscored Boystown, 28-2, in the second half before going down, 65-58. One of the oldest players in the tournament, Betty Taniora, top-scored for Akarana with 24 points and took the “Player of the Match" award.

Caroline Grey carried Kotuku to a 58-49 win over Otago but at one stage in the first half Kotuku trailed by 11 points. Grey “went berserk” in the closing stages of the first half as she singlehandedly pulled her team back into the game. It was her work, with intercepts and rebounds which shut Otago out for seven minutes in the first half. _ ,

And, at the other end Of the court, she hammered in 12 points to help Kotuku regain control and establish a 28-25 points lead at Haifa time. Section I.—Otago University 62, Comrades (Counties)) 52; Nae Nae 40, McLeav Duff (Auckland) 39; Crichton Ford (Napier) 59, Mairehau 29; Kotuku (Hamilton) 58, Otago University 49; Comrades 42. McLeav Duff 40. , Section 2—Centrals (Wellington) 65, Ufala (New Plymouth) 28; Rotorua G.H.S. O.P. 52, Don Rovers (Auckland) 50; Boystown (Auckland) 65, Akarana (Auckland! 58; Centrals 51. Checkers 50; Ufala 70, Rotorua G.H.S. O.P. 64.