Taipans hold off Crocs in derby opener

Updated October 06, 2012 21:31:07

Former Melbourne Tigers star Cameron Tragardh lit up the Crocodiles for 20 points as he and his new Taipans team-mates evaded Townsville 84-72 in Cairns on Friday night.

The round one derby was a close affair in the opening period and it was a one-possession game going into the first break, but the hosts pushed clear to lead by 14 at the midway point.

The Taipans extended their advantage to 23 going into the final quarter before Townsville staged a late fightback with a 13-0 run to start the fourth.

Crocs big man Russell Hinder lived up to his surname in proving to be a particular pest for Cairns, scoring eight of his 11 points in the last period to help the visitors to within nine points.

But the Taipans' earlier efforts proved to be enough, with Tragardh getting scoreboard help from Jamar Wilson (17), Brad Hill (12) and Cameron Gliddon (9).

Townsville's scorers shared the load with Ben Allen (15) and Jacob Holmes (14) leading five Crocs into double-figures.

Holmes added 10 rebounds and two assists to his line in the box score, while Todd Blanchfield went 2-for-3 from beyond the arc for 10 points.

Tags: nbl, basketball, sport, cairns-4870, townsville-4810, qld, australia

First posted October 06, 2012 21:31:07

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Basketball moves to block roller derby shot

By Allyson Horn

Updated January 27, 2012 13:51:14

The Alice Springs Basketball Association is taking a stand against its courts being used for roller derby matches.

A group called Malice Springs Roller Derby has applied to use the basketball courts as a venue for professional matches.

An application to the town council to use the venue has been knocked back.

The basketballers say it is the right decision.

The association claims the roller derby group severely damaged the court floors when it practised at the courts in 2010.

It says the potential for damage for the court is too high to warrant the group using the venue.

The association also says sharing the court with another group would adversely affect its jam-packed basketball program.

Members of the roller derby group will front a Council meeting next week to fight the decision.

Tags: basketball, local-government, human-interest, alice-springs-0870

First posted January 27, 2012 13:43:34

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Derby win keeps Fire unbeaten

Updated October 28, 2011 22:49:13

Townsville kept its flawless start to the WNBL season going with an 86-74 victory over Queensland rival Logan Thunder on Friday night.

Meanwhile defending champion Bulleen came home with a wet sail to beat the Rangers 81-76 in Dandenong.

And Adelaide cruised past perennial battler AIS 86-59 in the nation's capital.

In Logan, the Fire capitalised on a 31-point opening quarter and a six-point buffer at half-time before finishing strong against the Thunder, who came into the weekend at 2-2.

Shanavia Dowdell had a game-high 20 points for the visitors, adding eight rebounds in her 33 minutes on court.

Mia Newley (16), Nadeen Payne and Jessica Foley (12 each) joined Dowdell in double-figure scoring for Townsville.

Logan's Cayla Francis was best of the hosts with 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists while Renae Camino had 15 points on 7-of-15 shooting.

Thunder guard Corinna Montgomery and forward Emma Langford added 11 points apiece.

The clash in Dandenong saw Bulleen pile on 29 points to the Rangers' 11 in the final quarter to steal victory and condemn the hosts to their second loss of the year.

Boomers and Opals centre Elizabeth Cambage led the visitors with a 24-point, 10-rebound double-double while Rachel Jarry (15, 11 boards) and Kerryn Harrington (14 points) also starred.

Dandenong was not lacking in firepower though, with Jenna O'Hea posting 24 points of her own as well as eight rebounds alongside Kathleen MacLeod (21 points) and Tegan Cummingham's double-double (12 points, 11 boards).

The Rangers were hotter from downtown, hitting 54 per cent of their three-pointers, but Bulleen made the most of its chances, forcing 19 turnovers for 11 extra points.

At the AIS Training Hall, Adelaide remained in touch with competition leaders Townsville and Sydney University with a cakewalk past AIS.

Sara Blicavs had 17 points and eight rebounds for the home side but that was easily neutralised by Suzy Batkovic's effort for the visitors that included 25 points, eight boards and a mammoth 11 steals.

Fellow Lightning big Abby Bishop went to town with 22 points and eight rebounds of her own, while Angela Marino (10 points, seven assists) and Amy lewis (10) were impressive.

Tags: wnbl, basketball, sport, logan-city-dc-4114, qld, australia

First posted October 28, 2011 22:38:46

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