Aranui triumphs again

Press, 12 September 1988, Page 18

Aranui triumphs again

The Aranui women’s basketball team , wrapped up its fifth Canterbury club championship in six years at Cowles Stadium on Saturday when it soundly beat the Burnham-based Minties team, 63-41.

University outpointed Halswell 42-34 to ruin Baisweil's chance of a play-off spot, should Minties have upset Aranui while Checkers overwhelmed Rangiora 48-16 with some determined play which earned it a share of fourth place with University. Aranui, led by the former national player, Pat Barry, was again in top form but showed its vulnerability. It again dropped three club games as it has done over the last three seasons but again won the Patron’s trophy/ championship double. Minties had an up and down season but came back strong in the championship section sharing second place with Halswell. Just as Minties looked strong enough to challenge Aranui, player-coach Puhi Milner injured her foot and her daughter Rhonda went on tour with the New Zealand junior women’s team leaving Minties without a recognised

playmaker. Final placings:—

Aranui 63. — B. Atchison 22, T. Stokes 14, B. Barry 9, D. Knops 8, L. Richardson 4, S. Moon 4, V. Cowley 2. Minties 41. — M. Dunn 12, A. Teki 8, L. Bloxham 6, A. Richards 6, L. Williscroft 4, P. Tursoa 3, J. Cummack 2.

Referees: Russell Berry and Paul Roy. Aranui set about its game determined not to give Minties a chance of forcing a play-off with Brenda Atchison using her height and speed to penetrate Minties defence. Pat Barry and Terina Stokes supported well pushing Aranui to an early 12-2 lead. Atchison powered in another six baskets to take Aranui to a comfortable 32-19 by halftime. Aranui maintained its dominance in the second spell. Minties lacked strength with Puhi Milner injured and her daughter Rhonda away with the New Zealand Juniors

while Leonie Bloxham and Marie Dunn shared the ball carrying role.

Checkers 48.— S. Schrool 18, M. Mullany 11, B. Carr 9, D.. Chase 4, I. Hartley 2, J. McGrath 2, S. Constable 2. Rangiora 16. — F. Watts 4, N. Hall 3, M. Bambery 2, D. Walker 2, A. Smith 2, A. Woodham 2, C. McFarlin 1. Referees: Paul Hadley and Bruce Martin. Checkers overpowered Rangiora with another consistent effort. It patiently worked the ball around and through the Rangiora defence with controlled passing. The Rangiora defence was half-hearted. Its mid-court play and offensive work were much better but its shooting was abysmal, scoring only six first-half and ten second-half points, the lowest for several seasons.

For Checkers Stephanie Schrool slotted a personal high of 18 points. Schrool, supported by Marama Mullany, gave Checkers a comfortable 23-6 half-time lead.

University 42. — T. Whittaker 11, J. Harris 8, R. Buick 6, C. Patterson 6, D. Lintsen 4, A. Campbell 4, S. Francis 3.

Halswell 34.— M. Van Vuuren 12, R. Cooke 7, P.

Gilbert 6, C. Lightfoot 4, S. Brown 4, S. Pewhairangi 1. Referees: Carol Fahey and Ken Kilgour. Both University and Halswell have had ups and downs this season. University came into the competition after having grabbed several strong players from otner clubs and quickly earned the reputation of being the side to beat. It started well and became feared for its strong third-quarter thrust but examinations, holidays and other commitments took its toll and University did not live up to expectations. On the other hand, Halswell forged the dubious reputation of being the most unpredictable team in the competition. Admittedly it had three of its top players in the league team. Saturday was no exception. After having upset the champion Aranui last week, it fell victim to a better team effort from University and was not helped when its chief playmaker Rose Walker was injured early in the match.

The match was evenly poised 13-13 after ten minutes but Trina Whittaker led University’s charge to lead 27-19 at the break.

P W L F A Pt Aranui 10 8 2 521 413 16 Minties 10 6 4 415 411 12 Halswell 10 6 4 460 441 12 Checkers 10 4 6 467 494 8 University 10 4 6 393 427 8 Rangiora 10 2 8 463 533 4