Y.M.C.A. upsets H.S.O.B.

Press, 5 August 1985, Page 28

Y.M.C.A. upsets H.S.O.B.

A balanced effort from Butler Auto Spares Y.M.C.A. allowed it to upset Vistalite H. 5.0.8., 64-61, in the only men's division one basketball encounter at Cowles Stadium on Saturday. The other two games were deferred for a week to enable players to travel to the Countrywide league finals in Wellington. Aranui and Old Boys share the competition lead with six points but Aranui has a game with Businessworld in hand. Businessworld shares third place with Rangiora and Y.M.C.A. on four points while Checkers brings up the rear on two points. Checkers and Rangiora also have a game on hand. Y.M.C.A. 64, H. 5.0.8. 61

Y.M.C.A. pressed hard throughout the game, running the ball quickly at the slower Old Boys defence. Chris Dobbs’s ball skills and depth, of play was a steadying influence for Y.M.C.A. while John Bosch almost single handedly dominated its defence leaving only a few crumbs for Old Boys to pick up.

Bede Hall was extremely elusive, using his body and head fakes to very good effect and he benefited from the quick distribution of the ball from Dobbs to slot a vital 22 points. Bill Duggan utilised his strength to good effect for Y.M.C.A. assisting Bosch in the rebounding while Phil Scott and Anthony Romano put in their customary top efforts. Old Boys were inconsistent, vital errors and too many turn-overs cost dearly. Too often accuracy lacked with shots falling short of rimming out unexpectedly with too much spin on the ball. The backbone of Old Boys play was the skilful Denis Barry who received steady support from his regular team mate, John Whelan. David Grocott proved the most valuable of the remainder of the Old Boys players. Paul Dew, Glen Lang, and Paul Duggan had brief moments but lacked consistency while the tall Lloyd Dunstan was well contained by the quicker Y.M.C.A. defence. Y.M.C.A. established on early 19-10 lead after 12

minutes but tenacious Old Boys play slowly pulled it back to level 34-34 right on halftime. The opening moments of the second spell were evenly matched but Hall pushed Y.M.C.A. out to a vital 51-44 lead after eight minutes. Old Boys hit the front 54-53 later, the only time it led during the match, but lost ground as inaccuracy cost it dearly. Y.M.C.A. pounced on the rebound ball and counter attacked quickly and effectively. Duggan put Y.M.C.A. ahead 64-58 with two quick baskets in the sixteenth minute. Pressure defence from both sides saw the next three minutes scoreless. Whelan unleashed several long range three point attempts in an endeavour to resume the game for Old Boys but only sunk one. Y.M.C.A. 64 (B. Hall 22, B. Duggan 14, C. Green 10, J. Bosch 6, A. Romano 4, P. Scott 4, K. Jones 4. H. 5.0.8. 61 (J. Whelan 16, D. Grocott 11, L. Dunstan 9, D. Barry 8, P. Dew 6, P. Duggan 6, C. Cowie 3, G. Lang 2.)