10th September 2009,

Day 5 - Deaflympic Games

BASKETBALL

 

Womens Geckos Basketball Team – lost to Japan 64-40

 

An important final pool game for the Geckos against Japan on Day 5 of the basketball competition. Both teams had lost to Sweden and Lithuania, and beaten Hong Kong, so the result of this match would determine 3rd and 4th placings in the pool.

 

The Geckos played some of their best basketball of the tournament, but were not able to overcome the outside shooting power of Japan, going down 64 to 40

 

The Australian Team had an excellent defensive start, with the job of defending Japanese shooter Matoni Oba given to Ashleigh Kedge. Oba has been scoring almost half of her team points in earlier matches, so Kedge did a great job to hold her to 9 points in the first quarter. The Geckos ran their offences well and had very good shot selection, but were let down by poor shooting percentages. At quarter time Japan were up 16 to 8.

 

In the second quarter, the defensive job on Oba was given to Natasha Gray (celebrating her 22nd birthday), and Oba was contained to only 2 points for the quarter with Geckos strongest scorer, Ashleigh Brandsen in early foul trouble, coach Janelle Bressow was forced to rest her for most of the quarter. Despite being without their biggest offensive threat, the Geckos showed real spirit and fought back to be down 24 to 21 at half time.

 

The second half saw the Japanese light up from beyond the 3 point line with 8 triples in the half. Whilst Kedge and Gray continued to contain Oba, it was her team mate Juka Suzuki who hurt the Geckos with three 3 points in the final quarter.

 

With Bransden fouled out early in the final term, vice captain Renee Kahle stepped up with 7 points and 7 bounds, however this was not enough for the Geckos to rein in the Japanese, going down 64 to 40. 

 

The Geckos will now play World Champions and Defending Deaflympic Gold Medallists, the USA in their cross over match tomorrow.

 

CYCLING

 

95km Road Race – Both Van Beek and Denman finished an exciting race that has never been seen before in Deaflympics history. Reece finished 15th, 36 seconds behind the winner, and Jarrod at 21st, 2 minutes 43 seconds behind the winner. Out of 43 riders, 12 riders finished within 12 seconds. Average speed of the winner was 40.6 km/h. 16 riders did not finish. 

 

WRESTLING

 

100+ kg Mens Wrestling – Reedy unfortunately was knocked out of the first round and did not get an opportunity for a repechage challenge (second chance). 

 

TENNIS

 

Swann and Flindell – Men's Doubles Semi Final – The pair did Australia proud in qualifying for the gold medal match this Saturday in winning 6-2, 7-5 against Great Britain. Keep your eyes peeled on the result on Saturday.

 

 

Today's Events - 11th September

 

ATHLETICS

 

Lauren Hay – 800 metres semi final at 5.40pm.

 

BASKETBALL

 

Womens Geckos Basketball Team – Quarter Final against USA – 1:00pm.

 

ORIENTEERING

 

Long Event – 10:00am.

 

TABLE TENNIS

 

Louey and Dyball Doubles Pool Match – 7.45pm.

 

SWIMMING

 

200m Freestyle – Houghton

50m Fly – Morgan, Mentasana

50m Fly – Collier

400m Medley – Collier

100m Breaststroke – Glover and Mentasana

 

back to top ^
X