Halswell upsets Aranui women

Press, 15 July 1985, Page 26

Halswell upsets Aranui women

Accurate passing and good teamwork carried Edgell-Hals-well to an upset win over last years champion, and this season’s Patron’s Trophy winner, Big Softie Aranui, in the women’s division one basketball competition at Cowles Stadium on Saturday.

Halswell won, 43-36, with a determined finish and controlled defence. It was its best game since its promotion to the A grade competition in 1983.

Bumham almost caused another surprise. It lost, 63-65, to Admiral Lodge Checkers in the last 15 seconds of extra time.

In the other game, Charisma Mairehau overwhelmed Rebels, 87-33. Rangiora had the bye.

The Canterbury Women’s league team has completed its programme, failing to make the top four qualifiers. However, the players will have to wait several weeks before they can play for their respective clubs.

Originally it was to be at the start of the second round of

the championship. There are still three first round games to be played. It has been mutually agreed, however, that both Checkers and Aranui can use their league players for the last game of the round on July 27. Placings in the championship section of the competition are.—

Edgell-Halswell 43, Big Softie Aranui 36 A delighted Russell Berry ruffled the hair of Marinda Van Vuuren to show his appreciation of another superb effort by the tall centre, who led Halswell to its first victory over Aranui. Weeks of practice under the constant demands of one of Canterbury’s most intense coaches paid dividends as Halswell put together a concentrated team effort. Berry's constant urgings and

concentration to the team pattern were fairly rewarded, but his exuberance caused him to pick up a double technical foul in the sixth minute.

Kathy Siave, Rose Walker, Mandy Collins and Carol Lightfoot all took their turns in controlling the play, setting up quick passing and strong ball manoeuvres that often left Aranui flat-footed. Van Vuuren hunted the rebound ball with her usual enthusiasm and penetrated the defence with strong attacking play. Aranui had the greater depths of skill, but lacked the necessary motivation to knuckle down and play with the intensity of Halswell. Pat Barry and Louise Richardson were two players to produce sound performances for Aranui, but the efforts of regular sharp shooter, Margaret Costain, were rather dismal, lacking in drive and purpose. Tina Beukenholdt and Ann McMullan both played steadily, but lost concentration at vital stages. The first quarter was very even with tight defence from both sides causing many turnovers and close marking meant a high goal count. Halswell led 25-19 at half-time but Aranui struck back quickly. The game was again levelled at 33all after 12 minutes before Halswell took command for the last quarter.

Scoring.—Halswell 43 (M. Van Vuuren 15, C. Lightfoot 9, K. Siave 6, R. Walker 6, M. Collins 5, T. Harrington 2). Aranui 36 (V. Cowley 7, M. Costain 7, T. Beukenholdt 7, P. Barry 7, A. McMullan 6, L. Richardson 2). Admiral Lodge Checkers 65, Burnham 63 Checkers led early with Gillian Westenra and Jacky Cooke dominating the play. Checkers was ahead 17-9 after nine minutes, but were surprised by the strength of Burnham's challenge in the second quarter. Bumham tightened its defence and ran a smooth fast break to have the lead, 25-22, by half-time. Diane Woodhouse again led a strong Checkers onslaught, pushing it to a 41-33 lead after eight minutes.

Christine Williams, Lois Williscroft and Robin Manihera combined to lift Burnham’s efforts and it regained the lead, 43-41, in the fourteenth minute. The player coach, Puhi Milner, marshalled Burnham’s efforts, keeping the defence tight as Checkers again endeavoured to assume control. Poor shooting in the last two minutes from the free-throw line by Sharon Constable and Westenra and several quick baskets from Manihera, levelled the score at 5555 all and extra time was needed. Barbara Carr put Checkers ahead in extra time with two quick baskets, but poor defence allowed Burnham to sneak ahead, 63-61. Four vital points were gained from the free throw line with one minute remaining.

The normally reliable Williams had several chances to give Burnham a commanding lead, but a foul by Milner after yet another missed opportunity by Burnham allowed Julie Immers to slot two vital free throws for Checkers just when it appeared another extra period seemed inevitable. The improvement in Burnham’s

play possibly made it deserving of a win. Scoring: Checkers 65 (G. Westenra 18, J. Cook 12, D. Woodhouse 10, B. Carr 10, B. Power 7, S. Constable 4. J. Immers 2, D. Chase 2). Burnham 63 (R. Manihera 16, L. Williscroft 14, P. Milner 11, C. Williams 9, R. Milner 8, A. Teki 4, B. Skudder 1). Charisma Mairehau 87, Rebels 33 Mairehau ran the ball quickly and freely, scoring almost at will. Isobel Hartley led Mairehau’s effort in the early stages, while Kim Smith relished being on the end of the fastbreak, and she scored 25 points. ' Her sister, Karen, and Vivienne Sinclair also strived hard, doing a lot of the ground work. Mairehau

led 45-15 at half-time. Sue Frances and Wendy Holland worked the hardest of the Rebels players, while Julie McGrath and Greta Shanks too often allowed their frustrations to override their usual good work. Rebels especially missed its main ball carrier and shooter, Lynette McGrath, and also the hard working Lorraine Duart. A newcomer, Sandra Godsall, showed determination in her play. Scoring: Mairehau 87 (Kim Smith 25, I. Hartley 17, V. Sinclair 12, Karen Smith 12, M. Cuttance 7, J. Lamont 4, D. Broughton 3, L. McClintock 3, S. Gabittes 2). Rebels 33 (G. Shanks 6, S. Godsail 6, S. Frances 6, W. Holland 6, A. Campbell 5, J. McGrath 2, B. Beach 2).

P W L F A Pt Halswell 4 4 0 206 159 8 Aranui 4 3 1 240 144 6 Checkers 3 2 1 162 155 4 Mairehau 4 2 2 218 183 4 Rangiora 3 1 2 126 139 2 Burnham 3 0 3 124 162 0 Rebels 3 0 3 107 241 0