Saturday 2nd May

Checkers shrugged of a strong third quarter challenge from new entrant Gators to take an early lead in the Hoben Trophy section of Men's Premier club basketball played in the QE11 Leisure centre on Saturday.

Checkers outscored Gators by 14 points in the final quarter to win 87-73.

Defending champion, Atami, with a closing three three-pointers flourish from Alex Dobbs, got back on the winning track, repulsing a token comeback from University to win 82-64 while Wolverines finally nailed a determined High School Old Boys 63-60.

Players to feature on the day were Jeremy Charteris (21) and Michael Kinley (17) for Wolverines. Jeremy Hancock slotted a valuable 25 points for Checkers while the sharp shooting Cameron Costley potted four triple pointers in compiling 22 points for Gators. Joel Hart again featured for Atami with 21 points.

Last year's finalists University and Wolverines look set to dominate the Patron's Trophy section of the Women's Premier grade, both recording solid wins. University, led by Melissa Harrison, disposed of a lack-lustre Minties 62-34 while solid defence and quick breaking play saw Wolverines outpace Halswell 86-31. In a game of changing fortunes, North Canterbury led by 12, and then trailed by 10 before coming from behind to edge out Royals 61-60.

Aged group representatives, Georgina Richards and Erin Rooney, showed their class for Wolverines, aided by a 14 point second half surge from Olivia Irvine. Courtney Hamblin and Emily Baker featured for North Canterbury with 16 points each while former Wildcats Bridgett Salkeld, Sarah Corkery and Anna Williams stood out for Royals.

Competition is again very tight in the seven team Men's Division one competition. In a game of changing fortunes last years beaten finalist Atami outpointed old rivals Gameface Wolverines 63-59 to led the grade with two wins. Defending champion Placemakers Wolves outstripped Checkers 77-51 while Wolverines Wolfpack edged out fellow side Wolverines Young Bloods 59-52.

Defending champion Aranui Blue continued its strong start to the Women's Division one competition with a polished display to out-point a new look Halswell 52-22. Aranui share the early lead with last years beaten finalist Royals which beat Cashmere High school 64-48 while Rangi Ruru also remained unbeaten, downing Minties 58-38.

Checkers in Pool A easily accounted for Rangiora High school 87-37 while Kiwihoops University comfortably beat Ch Ch Boys High 95-35 in Pool B.  Shirley Boys U23 continued its strong start, beating North Canterbury 96-62. Atami repulsed a strong challenge from Royals 58-49 while Aranui Academy recorded back to back wins, beating Middleton grange gators 69-45.

Early leaders emerging with two wins after two rounds are Shirley Boys High, Cashmere High, Ch Ch Boys Blue, Aranui High and Middleton Grange White.

Results were:

MEN

PREMIER Grade: Alan Hoben Trophy Round

Atami 82 (Joel Hart 21, Ritchie Howell 17, Andrew Gebbie 12) Kiwihoops University 64 (Willem Tolhoek 18, Kosuke Yahata10). HT: 44-37. Checkers 87 (Jeremy Hancock 25, Wade Parata 14, Justin Kent 13) Gators 73 (Cameron Costley 22, David Hoekendijk 14, Sam Paulin 11). HT: 43-31. Wolverines 63 (Jeremy Charteris 21, Michael Kinley 17) HSOB 60 (Anthony Ramano 10). HT: 29-26. Bye: Royals

Points table after round two with games played in brackets: Checkers 4 (2), Atami 2 (2), Gators 2 (2), Wolverines 2 (2), Royals 2 (1), HSOB 0 (1), University 0 (2).   

DIVISION ONE: Atami 63 Gameface 59, Placemakers 77 Checkers 51, Wolfpack 59 Young Bloods 52. Bye: Royals

Under 23: Pool A:  Checkers 87 Rangiora HS 37, Shirley BHS U20 72 St Andrews U20 53, Gameface 108 HSOB 37, Aranui Academy 69 Middleton Grange Gators 45.                                       .                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Pool Pool B:

Kiwihoops University 95 Ch Ch BHS 35, Shirley BHS U23 96 North Canterbury 62, St Bedes U20 78 Christs College U20 52, Atami 58 Royals 49.  Bye teams game: Gators 52 Cashmere HS 50. 

Under 17 Boys:

Ch Ch BHS Blue 80 St Bedes Red 56, Aranui HS 94 Ch Ch BHS Black 19, Middleton Grange Gators White 80 Hillmorton HS 28, Christs College 63 St Andrews 44, Cashmere HS 107 Middleton Grange Green 26, Shirley BHS 110 Linwood/Royals 49.                     

Mid-week: Atami 59 Hustlers 32, University 60 326ers 30, Checkers White 67 Special Olympics 44, Raiders 49 Burnham 41.

WOMEN

PREMIER Grade Patron's Trophy: University 62 (Melissa Harrison 18, Kim Furlonger 11) Minties 34 (Karla Martin 11) HT: 34-17. Wolverines 86 (Olivia Irvine 17, Georgina Richards 15, Erin Rooney 15) Halswell 31 (Harriet Hlavac 8). HT: 40-11. North Canterbury 61 (Emily Baker 16, Courtney Hamblin 16, Tracey Hema 11) Royals 60 (Bridgett Salkeld 16, Sarah Corkery 13, Anna Williams 13). HT: Royals 35-34.

Points table after round two with games played in brackets: University 4 (2), Wolverines 4 (2), North Canterbury 2 (2), Minties 2 (2), Royals 0 (2), Halswell 0 (2).

DIVISION ONE: University 75 Checkers 46, Rangi Ruru 58 Minties 38, Aranui Blue 52 Halswell 22,  Royals 64 Cashmere High 48.

Mid- week: Aranui  49 Royals 47, Burnham 48 Halswell Green 28, Rebels 65 Brighton Babes 8,  CYA 46  Checkers  Blackhawks 33   Bye: Checkers Chick.