Women’s team plays some of best

Press, 14 August 1989, Page 21

Women’s team plays some of best

By

BRUCE MARTIN

The Canterbury women’s • basketball team played some of its best basketball this season and only conceded the national women’s basketball title to the highly favoured Auckland side in the last two minutes of an enthralling encounter in Chase Stadium, Auckland, on Saturday evening. The final winning margin, 62-51, flattered Auckland and did not reflect the intensity of the battle that nearly went Canterbury’s way. With just over three minutes remaining, the Auckland guards quickly fed the free-ranging Leonie Patterson, who sank two consecutive baskets to put Auckland on a roll which saw it sink another four uncontested baskets to blitz Canterbury. During this time Canterbury missed two vital shots with bad shot selection under strong Auckland pres-

Auckland, with its starstudded line-up, was unbeaten during the season and has dominated the league over the last four seasons. It was fearful of another early injury to a key player that helped Waikato rob it of last year’s title. National coach Anne Robertson, who announced her retirement from coaching for Auckland, was very angry at her squad at half-time after it had allowed Canterbury to claw its way back into the game and actually take the lead, 27-26, at the break. This was after Auckland had established an 11point led (23-12) in the twelfth minute. Ms Robertson said that she was proud how her team dug deep into their reserves to thrust aside Canterbury’s strong challenge in the fourth quarter when Canterbury had reduced a 10-point deficit (45-35) to only with

some gritty and determined play, and four minutes remaining. Although Sonja Akkerman scored first for Canterbury, Auckland settled quicker and threatened to pull away with three successive baskets and Canterbury had missed several easy shots. Akkerman commanded Canterbury’s defensive boards, collecting 14 rebounds, while the elusive Edith Duffey inspired Canterbury with many long penetrating runs. Occasionally she tried too hard and Auckland punished the error severely. Duffey’s two three-pointers in the second quarter brought Canterbury back into the game to trail 22-23 by the fifteenth minute. Canterbury then capitalised on Auckland's foul trouble to slip ahead, 27-26, at half-time. After hard words from Ms Robertson at the break, Auckland came out blazing and

within five minutes had raced away to lead, 40-30, having outshot Canterbury 7 baskets to one. Marie Powell and Corrina Cordtz did most of the damage. Canterbury again showed courage as it clawed its way back. It lost some momentum as Duffey injured an ankle attempting one of her 10 three-point attempts. She sunk three and finished with an impressive 17 points. Sue Garden played with confidence but Canterbury was a little reluctant to pass her more ball. Garden shot 10 points, while Akkerman shot 11 but more importantly restricted Patterson to 18 points and 11 rebounds. Patterson scored three vital baskets after Akkerman was taken off her.

Cordtz (13) marshalled Auckland’s efforts with masterly precision, while Powell stood out in the second spell earning a gritty

10 points. Sue Bennie and a New Zealand representative, Sue Bennett, were not a patch on their regular performances. Later, two long-serving members of Canterbury basketball indicated that they would be retiring. They are the team captain, Di Woodhouse, and the bustling player, Brenda Jones. Auckland 63 (Leone Patterson 18, Corrina Cordtz. 13, Marie Powell 10, La’Koi Wooten 9, Janet . ParkerEames 7, Vicki Cunningham 5).

Canterbury 51 (Edith Duffey 17, Sonja Akkerman 11, Sue Garden 10, Darlene Walker 6, Barbara Carr 3, Brenda Jones 2, Sue Bennett 2).

Canterbury led Auckland, 27-26, at half-time. The referees were Ms Donnette Daly (Napier) and Stan Battock (Wellingtonh|.