Halswell dominates Mairehau

Press, 5 August 1985, Page 28

Halswell dominates Mairehau

Team work and discipline allowed Halswell to dominate the second half of its women’s division one basketball match against Charisma Mairehau at Cowles Stadium on Saturday. Halswell won comfortably, 55-32, while Big Softie Aranui overwhelmed Rebels of MidCanterbury, 70-26. The Admiral Lodge Check-ers-Rangiora match was postponed until Saturday, August Jo, at Pioneer Stadium. Burnham had the bye.

Mairehau’s loss was a blow to its championship hopes this season. After a dismal sixth placing in the Patrons trophy round, it had been playing a lot more confidently in recent weeks, using the natural ability of its players. A cunning Halswell defence forced many simple errors, quickly demoralising Mairehau which slipped into third place. Halswell remains unbeaten in the championship section of the competition while Patron’s Trophy winner Aranui is just two points in arrears. It has been strengthened by the arrival of three top players — Brenda Atchison, Diane Martin, and Shona Richards. Halswell has belatedly gained the services of the former University and MidCanterbury player, Sue Bennie, who gives Halswell much needed thrust on attack and support for the overworked Marinda Van Vuuren.

Former champion side, Checkers, is rebuilding and has slipped into fourth place followed by the unpredictable Rangiora team. PLACINGS ARE:

Halswell 55, Mairehau 32 Halswell started strongly with the dependable Therese Harrington scoring twice and drew away to lead, 9-2, after seven minutes. Kim Smith rallied Mairehau and effective fast breaking enabled it to score 10 points to level, 14-all after seventeen minutes. S. Bennie pushed Halswell ahead, 20-16, by half-time. Halswell dominated most of the second half, tightening its defence and forcing Mairehau to play four corner basketball. Halswell quickly snatched up the ball after the resulting numerous turnovers. Bennie attacked strongly, leading Baisweil's scoring to finish with 21 points, overshadowing the efforts of Baisweil's mainstay, Marinda Van Vuuren. Halswell remained in command until the fifteenth minute, having stretched the lead to 51-23 with many constructive moves, opening wide gaps in Mairehau’s defence. Mairehau put some respectability to its total, scoring five baskets in the last five minutes. Baisweil's win was reward for a concentrated effort by all its players, with sound efforts particularly by Kathy Slave and Rose Walker. Mandy Collins and Carol Lightfoot made good use of their limited court time. Mairehau worked hard but was continually frustrated by a solid defence. Karen Smith and Margaret Cuttance worked consistently while Isobel Hartley was tightly controlled. Halswell 55, (S. Bennie 21, T. Harrington 13, M. Collins 6, C. Lightfoot 4, G. Stanbury 4, K. Slave 3. J. Dray 2, M. Van Vuuren 3). Mairehau 32 (Kim Smith 14, M. Cuttance 6, Karen Smith 4; D. Broughton 4, V. Sinclair 2, I. Hartley 2). Big Softie Aranui 70, Rebels 26 Aranui dominated most aspects of play to overwhlem Rebels, although the latter attacked gamely at every opportunity. Margaret Costain led the early scoring, using her height well but her efforts died later in the match. Brenda Atchison worked gamely, particularly in the first half while the captain, Shona Richards, showed finesse with her accurate perimeter shooting to finish with 15 points.

Thelma Costain and Pat Barry set up a lot of Aranui’s moves with sound efforts. Barry kept tight control on Rebels’ sharp shooter, Lynette McGrath, restricting her to 10 points including only one threepointer in each half.

Lorraine Deuart worked hard under constant pressure for Rebels and was supported in her efforts by Sue Francis and Anne Campbell. Julie McGrath's work was patchy. Aranui moved the score along to 14-6 after nine minutes, stalled momentarily by tight Rebels play but rattled in eight quick baskets to eventually lead, 39-15, at halftime.

Aranui had a string of free shots after close marking by Rebels

early in the second half but Aranui scored more freely in the last quarter with Richards and Beukenholdt to the fore. Ann McMullan’s determined efforts went largely unnoticed.

Details.— Aranui 70, (S. Richards 15, M. Costain 11, B. Atchison 11, T. Beukenholdt 10, P. Barry 8. A. McMullan 7, L. Richardson 6, T. Costain 2). Rebels 26, L. McGrath 10, A. Campbell 6, L. Deuart 4. S. Francis 4, G. Shanks 2.

Lower-grade results Men.— Division two A: YMCA B 68, Taxes A 53; University A 110, Burnside 39; Aranui B 48, H. 5.0.8. B 45. Division four: Media 25, East Coast 24; Seekers 40, Dukes 37;

Deaf Club 47, Hotshots 26; Burnside 29, Rangiora 19. Division five: Mairehau 44, Air N.Z. 36; Kereru 23, Trust Hornby 19; Mt Herbert 40, Toe H 26; Sunnyside 33, Comets 15. Under 20 Boys: Aranui 60, Christchurch Boys H.S. 56; St Bede’s Coll 69, Businessworld 58; Hillmorton H.S. 94, Aranui H.S. 45. Women.— Division four: Albion 22, Rebels 16; Brighton 18, Taxes 12; Seekers 31, Smuggler 20; Mairehau 17, Railway 10. Division five: TOG. 20, Brighton 8; Kereru 25. Hutchinson Motors 22; Trust Hornby 14; Wigram 3; D.S.W. 23, Teachers 16. Division six: Comets 17. Aces 11; Air N.Z. 34, Hotshots 8; Polytechnic A 24, United 9; Deaf Club 14, Daniels 10; Seekers 27, Taxes 2; Toads 2, Polytechnic B 0.

P W L F A Pt Halswell 7 7 0 382 278 14 Aranui 7 6 1 438 267 12 Mairehau 7 4 3 372 326 8 Checkers 6 3 3 342 338 6 Rangiora 6 2 4 268 302 4 Burnham 6 1 5 262 334 2 Rebels 7 0 7 280 499 0