Basketball controversy

Press, 13 April 1989, Page 29

Basketball controversy

By

BRUCE MARTIN

Seven teams have been accepted in the Women’s A grade basketball competition which begins in Cowles Stadium this Saturday although the acceptance of an entry from Butlers, a former A grade side, has caused consternation in several quarters. Aranui, which has dominated much of the competition for the last six seasons, still contains a formidable lineup of Tina Beukenholdt, Diane Knops, Louise Richardson, Vicki Cowley and Thelma

Costain. The former league player, Wendy Lester, joins the squad along with several other new recruits. Halswell and University have most of their lineups back and look title prospects after clashing in the Easter final. Halswell has regained the league reject, Raelene Forde, with Rose Walker, Mandy Collins and Marinda Van Vuuren to the fore. Both Checkers and Rangiora will field quite a few new faces after loosing several players to the

new Butlers side. The league standby players, Darlene Walker (Rangiora) and Barbara Carr (Checkers), will lead their team’s efforts. The controversial Butlers line-up includes Isobel Hartley, Marama Mullany and Julie McGrath from Checkers and Natalie and Claudia Hall from Rangiora. Bronwyn Palmer, a former Mairehau player, Lyn Scammell (Mid Canterbury) and the former basketball and netball representative Sue Camp,

will make Butlers competitive. Recent plans to play a “grading” match against the bottom-placed Rangiora were dropped with Rangiora attending a coaching clinic and seven teams accepted. A meeting of A grade clubs earlier this season indicated that a shorter 15week season was preferred.

The Patron’s Trophy will be reduced to one round with the championship section its usual two rounds but will now cover

21 weeks with the inclusion of a seventh team.

The league coach, Russell Berry, and the Minties coach, Puhi Milner, are both opposed to the extra team in the competition, saying it will weaken a balanced competition.

In opening round matches this Saturday Minties should beat Rangiora and University beat Checkers with honours evenly matched in the Halswell — Aranui clash at 3.30 p.m.