Drama, controversy m women’s match

Press, 19 August 1985, Page 26

Drama, controversy m women’s match

Much drama and controversy were evident when Edgell-Halswell met Admiral Lodge Checkers in the championship section of the womens division one basketball competition at Cowles Stadium on Saturday.

Halswell was awarded a controversial basket in the final few seconds to clinch the match, 43-40, after a steady Checkers fightback while Charisma-Mairehau beat Rangiora, 50-36, in a lacklustre encounter. The Aranui-Burnham match was deferred to allow Burnham to represent Canterbury at the annual Don Adams tournament at Ashburton while the Mid-Canterbury side, Rebels, conveniently had the bye. Checkers were determined to upset the balance of power in the competition, but Baisweil's win gives it a crucial four-point lead over last year’s champion Big Softie Aranui, although Aranui has a match in hand. A further round of matches will be played tomorrow evening with Halswell expected to beat Burnham and Rangiora to edge out Rebels. Checkers’ dedication and determination to win will influence who wins the clash with Aranui.

Placings in the championship section are:

Halswell 43, Checkers 40. About 80 supporters cheered and stomped, making enough noise for several hundred spectators as an exciting battle unfolded late on Saturday afternoon. Checkers took command in the early stages, catching Halswell unawares with a solid determination to win, leading. 12-5, after nine minutes. Halswell’s patience and determination allowed it to go ahead, 23-16 at half-time after a scoring burst mid-way through the spell. Checkers never gave up, eating away slowly but surely at Harwell's lead. Three successive baskets allowed it to trail, 29-33, after 10 minutes and the match became electric as Checkers levelled, 37-37, in the fifteenth minute.

• Tension rose on both sides as the hard-working Kathy Siave (Halswell) left the court, protesting her

innocence, on five fouls in the twelfth minute.

About this time the tension which had been brewing between the two coaches, the American Eddie McLeod (Checkers), and Russell Berry (Halswell), flared and several players had to restrain the men before they came to blows. Both coaches were warned by the officials.

Harwell's usual team work and coolness waned under a formidable Checkers onslaught. Mandy Collins, playing one of her finest games, put Halswell ahead, 41-37, with a fine drive but fouled out in the very next minute. Two free throws to Diane Woodhouse, and one out of two to Barbara Carr left Checkers trailing, 40-41, entering the final minute. Sonya Akkerman missed a simple opportunity to put Checkers ahead, but had the strength to rebound the ball three times in succession before being fouled on the fourth occasion.

Her “one plus one” shot with just over 30 seconds remaining was unsuccessful but confusion reigned on the Checkers bench as one of the officials had inadvertently signalled a two-shot attempt.

Halswell brought the Ball up the court under pressure and the ball passed to the open Therese Harrington. The dependable Harrington shot a hurriedly executed basket from five metres as the 30s clock sounded with several seconds to go. One alert Checkers player put the ball quickly into play amid much confusion and the clock which had momentarily stopped was turned on. The final hooter sounded as Checkers unsuccessfully attempted a long shot. The' two officials discussed the situation under a torrent of protests from players and coaches. The basket to Harrington was confirmed the shot deemed to have left her hand before the 30s hooter sounded but as the lead official had bloWn his whistle to stop play, Checkers were given a further three seconds of play. Play was held up while the lights could come back on again. McLeod momentarily refused to let his charges take the court, and then decided to take a time-out to discuss tactics.

Checkers inbounded the ball but lacked the strength to pass the ball far enough up the court for a threepoint attempt to tie the match. The Checkers captain, Sharon Constable, signed the score sheet “under protest” with a formal protest expected to be made within three days. Jackie Cook and Carr played sound games for Checkers while Diane Woodhouse played with much determination but lacked a vital finishing touch. Gillian Westenra lacked her usual authority while Akkerman dominated the rebound ball only to lack shooting accuracy. Checkers missed the link play and experience of Megan Cassidy, who was sick.

Collins, Harrington and Siave were the backbone of Halswell’s game while the league player, Sue Bennie, lacked authority. The pressures of the game restricted the confidence of Marinda Van Vuuren while Rose Walker was a steadying influence for Halswell. The officials, Russell Henwood and Bruce Martin, called 21 fouls against Halswell and 19 against Checkers. Scoring details: Halswell 43: M. Collins 13, T. Harrington 10, M. Van Vuuren 8, R. Walker 7, S. Bennie 3, C. Lightfoot J; Checkers 40: B. Carr 13, J. Cook 10, S. Akkerman 6, D. Woodhouse 6, G. Westenra 3, C. Erb 2. Mairehau 50, Rangiora 36 Play by both sides lacked imagination and determination with signs of end-of-season boredom setting in early. A scoring burst by Mairehau took it clear. 13-5, after nine

minutes while Rangiora capitalised on team fouls to trail, 17-23, by half-time. Kim Smith relished on the fast break early in the second spell, pushing Mairehau ahead, 34-19, after four minutes before the match settled down to an end-for-end lack-lustre encounter. Karen Smith and Margaret Cuttance controlled much of Mairehau’s efforts while Mary-Jane Moody and Sandra Blackadder shared the honours for Rangiora. Penny Rollinson tried hard for Rangiora, penetrating strongly but lacked the necessary finishing edge. Mairehau 50: Kim Smith 20, M. Cuttance 7, I. Hartley 6, J. Lamont 5, V. Sinclair 4, Karen Smith 4, L. McClintock 2, A. Taylor 2. Rangiora 36: M. J. Moody 12, S. Blackadder 12, P. Rollinson 5, D. Dixon 2, L. Stanicich 2, J. Harris 2, R. King 1/1

P W L F A Pt Halsweil 9 9 0 507 335 18 Aranui 8 7 1 502 314 14 Mairehau 9 5 4 469 426 10 Checkers 8 4 4 450 425 8 Rangiora 9 3 6 403 468 6 Burnham 7 1 6 310 389 2 Rebels 8 0 8 297 581 0