The 2017 Mid-week season came to a climax with two hotly contested Grand Finals, a fitting end to a very good season. A special thanks to our Guest referees, Life member Raewyn Willocks (she came out of retirement), Raelene Forde, and Sandra French along with Sam Davison.

Thank you all for another enjoyable season and the assistance of our refereeing crew.

It has been a long nine-year battle for Board Chairman Jeremy Phillips and his Atami team but they finally won their first title since joining the competition in the 2009 season. In their first year, losing to Checkers White 52-39 in the final, finished 4th beat them in 2010 beaten by The Bishops, 4th again in 2011 beaten by Jason Rivett and his University team.

Again, in the 2012 Grand final they were beaten by ‘Milkie’ Chris Chapman and his Checkers White team 94-84. They again were beaten into 4th place in 2014 by none other than University and in the 2016 semi-final, again by University 41-25. So to the 2017 season and Atami, like the other four teams, had lost to University three times in Round robin play and had plenty of motivation to make 2017 their year. University with titles in 2008, 2012 and 2016 looked set to retain their title.

 

CBA General Manager Paul Duggan reports: Atami started strongly, and were quickly out to a 10point lead, with power forward Jesse Burgess scoring well inside, and University not converting many of their opportunities at the rim.

However, University worked their way back, and were behind 22-16 at the break.  A couple of three pointers from Wayne Eddington and Jason Rivett had the game close going down the stretch, and when MVP Jesse Burgess fouled out with five minutes to go, it appeared that the balance tipped back in University’s favour.

Atami dug deep and maintained a narrow lead, and with 10 seconds to play were three points ahead. Jason Rivett launched a three pointer to tie the game, and appeared to get hit after the shot. The crowd were anticipating free throws to tie the game, but the officials ruled side ball to University, with 3 seconds left.  A last ditch 3 fell well short, and Atami were deserved winners.

Scores were: Atami 36 (Jesse Burgess 11; Ray Willemsen 9) University 33 (David Baird 11;Jason Rivett 7). HT: 22-16. Finals MVP Jess Burgess

Play-off 3rd: Checkers White 57 (Paul Isitt 28) Relics 36 (James Allen 15). HT: 44-32.

 

Mid-week controller, Bruce Martin, writes his report on the Women’s Grand final: The Mid-week Women’s competition again had eight teams with new entrant Pioneer Yellow setting the pace, going through the double round robin undefeated including a 39-35 and 31-30 victory over fellow side Pioneer Blue, a team containing five members of last year’s champion Pioneer Saints. Regular campaigners CYA were also expected to be among the front-runners with Checkers Blackhawks and Gators both being capable of winning on any given night.

In the top four play-off wheels started to fall off the Yellow team as they lost to Blue, thumped 19-42 and the evergreen CYA 35-42 but scrapped into the Grand final with superior points differential while the injury plagued Blue, led by Board member Lisa Rooney went through unbeaten.

With no love lost on the basketball court, the two teams set about their Grand-final with much vigour. With Rooney directing operations for the Blue team and former Wildcat Kim Jarvis playing a similar role for the Yellow team, both sides attacked strongly with Finals MVP Jaclyn Parker finishing off promising moves for the Blues. International Black-Fern Amiria Rule and former Wildcat Joanne Casey responded for Yellow but the Blue defence held firm and saw them edge to a 14-6 lead. By half-time the Blues were still in command, ahead 23-18. One by one the Blues added to their worries as several players went down with ankle injuries and all looked lost as Parker went sprawling. The Blues dug deep, the walking wounded kept the momentum rolling and despite the Yellow team, led by evergreen Life Member Paula Wilkinson, closing to trail 24-25 and Toni Carroll hitting a triple, their scoring died and the Blues escaped to win their first Mid-week title 30-24.

Scores were: Pioneer Blue 30 (Jaclyn Parker 10; Molli Daily 8) Pioneer Yellow 24 (Jo Casey 10; Katrina Roberts 8). HT: 23-18. Finals MVP Jaclyn Parker

Play-off 3rd: CYA 37 (Carmel Gunn 18) Gators 31 (Holley Costley 9). HT: 18-16.

Play-off 5th: Checkers Blackhawks 54 (Kathryn Hose 20; Maria Garcia 13) University 26 (Gemma Grey 10).

Play-off 7th: Halswell 47 (Sarah Zepeda 12; Sam McMillan 11) Royals 23 (Denise Ryan 6; Ruta Tuoro 6). HT: 16-13.