Aranui cuts it fine—again

Press, 26 June 1989, Page 26

Aranui cuts it fine—again

Aranui is making a habit of cutting it fine in recent weeks, and Saturday at Cowles Stadium was no exception as it continued its unbeaten run towards the Canterbury senior men’s club basketbail title.

Aranui won 73-71, courtesy of a two-point shot by its American centre, Larry Hubbard, in the final seconds, after one of Junction’s (formerly Rangiora) league players, Dean Ruske, shot a three-pointer to give Rangiora a share of the lead, 71all, with 60 seconds remaining. Aranui 73, Junction 71 Aranui: L. Hubbard 29, C. Dobbs 11, P. Hill and H. Tims, both 10, R. Davis and A. McGill, both 4, C. Penney and D. Watson, both 2, P. Nouata 1. Junction: M. Lines and D. Ruske, both 20, R. Lines 10, L. Dixon 8, P. McAllister 5, P. Hobbs and A. Robson, both 4. Half-time: 41-33 (Aranui).

After the first quarter of its match with Junction, unbeaten Aranui looked in for an easy day with a 14point advantage. Then Rangiora recovered in such a fashion that Aranui's perfect record looked like being torn apart. Aranui finally won 7371.

Aranui’s lead had been cut to 33-41 at half-time and in the first five minutes of the second half Junction scored 13 points to Aranui’s five to draw level, 46-all. From then on the lead alternated, Aranui leading 60-54, then the game being squared at 62-all. Going into the last quarter Rangiora grabbed the lead for the first time, 66-64. In the next couple of minutes the lead changed four times, a Dean Ruske three-pointer in the nineteenth minute again levelling the scores, 71all.

But in the dying seconds Aranui’s big American centre, Larry Hubbard, had the last say with a winning two-point shot.

University 75, H. 5.0.8. 65 University: D. van Heyningen 16, A. Romano 15, A. Heiford 11, W. Dellow and B. Wells, both 10, D. Paul 5, T. Thodey 4, J. Deeley and P. Schwaiger, both 2. H. 5.0.8.: H. Thomson 26, C. Foubister and D. Robinson, both 10, D. Grocott and G. Lang, both 7, P. Conner 3, I. MacFarlane 2. Half-time: 40-31 (University). University showed too much style and polish against High School Old Boys, winning comfortably, 75-65. But it took some time for University to settle into stride and midway through the first half Old Boys led 28-21. Then it was 31-all, but University had opened up a 40-31 advantage at half-time. Old Boys kept plugging away and after five minutes of the second half had again levelled the scores, 48-all. The Old Boys challenge fell away quickly in the last quarter, mainly because of inconsistent shooting.

Checkers 88, Butlers 68 Checkers: J. Mac Kay 19, G. Ottman and D. Baird, both 15, J. Salkeld 12, M. Hutchins 11, M. Corkery 9, D. Howard 4, P. Randle 2, J. Price 1. Butlers: B. Duggan 30, B. Kerr 12, J. Ray 8, M. Rainbird 6, R. Gwilliams and B. Scammell, both 4, D. Coley 2. Half-time: 43-41 (Checkers).

Consistency prevailed over inconsistency when Checkers defeated Butlers 88-66.

Butlers looked worldbeaters when leading 32-26 with six minutes of the first half remaining mainly because of the efforts of its player-coach. Bill Duggan. Checkers settled down and went into the second half leading 43-41. Butlers then fell away and failed to score in the first five minutes while Checkers was compounding a wide lead. Checkers was the only team in it in the last quarter and coasted to a 20-point victory.