Aranui women set to take basketball title

Press, 11 July 1989, Page 26

Aranui women set to take basketball title

Aranui is in the hot seat to win the division one women’s inter-club basketball competition for the sixth time after it overwhelmed Butlers, 73-43, in Cowles Stadium on Saturday. University regained its share of second place (four points behind Aranui), when it beat Minties, 53-38. Checkers forged a 47-41 win over Junction, the former Rangiora side, to grab fourth place. Halswell had a bye. The Aranui club appears a likely prospect to repeat its 1985 feat when both its men’s and women’s team won their respective championship. Placings after round five are:

Knops 14, V. Cowley 13, T. Beukenholdt 12, L. Richardson 10, T. Costain 4, B. Marshall 2, J. Holmes 2). Butlers 43 (I. Hartley 12, M. Mullany 9, S. Camp 8, N. Hall 6, R. Duncan 3, A. Pule 3, B. Palmer 2). Half-time: Aranui 37-24. Referees: K. Fastier and M. Hawkins. Marama Mullany worked vigorously in the early stages, putting Butlers ahead 9-4 seven minutes before Aranui settled and began to run its feared fast break. In the next seven minutes Aranui rattled in 14 baskets to just three

from Isobel Hartley of Butlers to race out to a 32-16 lead. Wendy Lester scored six of them with her accurate shooting while Di Knops layed up three others with good support from playmaker, Vicki Cowley. Mullany continued her hard work and, supported by the vigorous efforts from Sue Camp reduced the gap to 2437 by half-time. Aranui dominated most of the second spell, maintaining a tight defence, while lively efforts from Tina Beukenholdt and Louise Richardson helped push Aranui out to a 52-32 lead after 10 minutes. University 53 (R. Buick 18, C. Patterson 10, D. Lintsen 8, J. Harris 7, S. Francis 4, A. Campbell 2, R. van der Monde 2, T. Lockington 2). Minties 38 (C. Hail 12, T. Ropata 9, J. Chelsey 8, P. Milner 4, M. Whyte 3, L. Williscroft 2). Half-time: University 22-19. Referees: D. Henderson (Otago) and V. Warren. Minties, guided by Puhi Milner, worked the ball patiently and effectively to combat the strength of University’s teamwork. Jackie Chelsey was promising in her second A grade game, as she worked hard for Minties to level the game 8-8, while Tania Ropata and Claudia Hall helped push Minties to a 18-11 lead by the 16th minute. University’s play lacked its visual polish but Roz Buick

kept it in the game. Minties became handicapped with team fouls, allowing University to sneak a 22-19 lead by half-time. University picked up the pace of the game in the second spell as Charlotte Patterson and Diana Lintsen set up play well. Buick continued her strong efforts to finish with 18 points. Checkers 47 (D. Chase 10, B. Carr 10, S. Schrool 9, P. Currie 8, P. Salton 7, S. Constable 2, S. Oudemans 1). Junction 41 (K. Wells 13, T. Ellis 10, J. Fitzpatrick 6, F. Watts 6, M. Pipe 2, G. McFarlane 2, M. Frazer 2). Half-time Checkers 22-18. Referees: Paul Hadley and Kevin Fastier. Junction made better use of its early chances to lead 16-11 after 11 minutes with Katrina Wells using her strength well while Fiona Watts shot from outside. Phillipa Currie and Penney Salton made progress for Checkers but neither side was able to dominate. After several scoreless minutes, Debbie Chase showed some enthusiasm and used her skills to run in three baskets, and Checkers led 2218 by half-time. Play swung from end to end with both teams trying to control the game. Jane Fitzpatrick rebounded strongly for Junction but needed to make better use of her possession. If she drives stronger she will become a valuable player.

P W L F A Pt Aranui 5 5 0 301 215 10 University 4 3 1 237 184 6 Baisweil 4 3 1 238 188 6 Checkers 4 2 2 201 226 4 Butlers 4 1 3 194 249 2 Minties 5 1 4 183 247 2 Junction 4 0 4 198 243 0 Aranui 73 (W. Lester 18, D.