Basketball Mairehau wins first title since 1976

Press, 3 August 1981, Page 18

Basketball Mairehau wins first title since 1976

Mairehau captured the Cooper Henderson women’s division one basketball, championship when it beat the defending title-holder. Checkers. 39-32. in the second of the “best of three” final at Cowles Stadium on Saturday. Mairehau had earlier narrowly beaten Checkers in the first of the contests. It was Mairehau’s first title since 1976. The teams have been evenIvmatched all season. They have met six times and each has won three times. Checkers having won the Easter title at Mairehau’s expense. Asia Pacific Aranui led the competition for most of the season, but lost a place in the plav-off on points differential after the three teams were tied on 24 points at the end of round three. Aranui defeated University. 62-51, in a fast-flowing game and the fourth-placed Continental Caterers beat Rebels, 56-42.

Final placings were.— Mairehau 1. Checkers 2. Asia Pacific-Aranui 3, Continental Caterers Rangiora 4. University 5. Rebels 6.

Mairehau A 39 (D. Broughton 11. B. Palmer 8. P. Barry 6, S. Bennett 6, M. Stokes 4. K. Richardson 4). Checkers 32 (S. Constable 6, P. Gilbert 5, B. McLeod 5, A. Taylor 5. P. Roberts 4. L. Hannen 3, S. Elliott 3. S. Rimone 1).

The battle for supremacy started, early, but good defence from both sides resulted in four scoreless minutes before Mairehau, with five consecutive baskets, went ahead 13-6.

Checkers slowly caught up and edged ahead but many opportunities went begging. It should have been ahead at half-time by 10 points instead of having a narrow 21-19 lead. The Checkers defence was cool and calm but at the other end, its attacking shots were ineffective. Five Checkers players wasted eleven free throws. Mairehau stormed back in the second spell, having recovered from a bad patch, and penetrated Checkers’ solid defence with some skilful basketball.

Donna Broughton dominated the ball for Mairehau but the quiet, ever pressing work by Patsy Barry and Bromwyn Palmer was also vital. Sue Bennett rebounded aggressively and teamed with Megan Stokes to again keep the national player,

Leslie Hannen. under tight control. She was restricted to three points. Checkers received great support from its two B team players. Sally Elliott and Pauline Gilbert, and Sharon Constable and Beth McLeod sustained their efforts.

McLeod intercepted well and eluded her marker with finesse, but. as with Hannen. she was unable to score at crucial times. It was the final appearance by McLeod, who had announced her retirement earlier this season. Continental Caterers Rangiora 56 (R. King 20. M. Ives 13. C. Winter 8. K. Smith 7. K. Costain 4. Y. Kerr 4). Rebels 42 (D. Shanks 12. H. Steele 10. B. Carr 8. M. Williams 4. E. Young 2. P. Tapara 2. J. Cumming 2. A. Robinson 2).

Rebels tried in vain to score that elusive first victory in its final game against Rangiora. A determined first-half effort gave Rebels the lead. 22-20, at halftime but Rangiora attacked stronglv after the break to lead 35-22. 'an advantage it maintained to the end despite some scrappy play from both sides. Rongo King toiled long and hard to finish with 20 points, her best tally this season, while Karen Costain worked hard on defence. Debbie Shanks and Heather Steele were the mainstay for Rebels. Asia Pacific Aranui 62 (A. Beukenholdt 18. T. Beukenholdt 10, C. Stenstrom 9. V. Cowley 9, D. Mac Kay 8. L. Richardson 6, P. Duncklev ’2). University 51 (R. Walker 16. A. Wright 8, V. Brand 8. T. Costain 8, C. Proctor 5, M. Porteous 4, D. Atkins 2). These two teams finished the final game of the season with a fast exciting encounter, both contesting each basket strongly. Both sides played good attacking basketball, funning the ball quicklv and freely. Aranui used its height advantage to dominate rebounds and the deadly accuracy of Adrianna Beukenholdt from outside the keyhole gained Aranui the winning edge. University played a good team game and repeatedly fought back as Aranui threatened to pull away. Aranui led 27-24 at halftime and went ahead 47-32 after a further nine minutes. Rose Walker was the mainstay for University.