BASKETBALL

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22496, 2 September 1938, Page 2

BASKETBALL

DOMINION TOURNEY AT TIMARU

CANTERBURY’S GOOD SHOWING

(PME9S &MOCIATIOM TELSOKAIIJ TIMARU, September 1. For the second day of the Dominion basketball tournament, the weather was showery, and the concluding games were played in a steady drizzle. The finalists in the first grade will probably be the present champions, Wellington, and Canterbury. So far they are markedly superior to other teams, and it would be surprising if they do not fill the major positions. They will meet to-morrow, when a fine game should result. Hawke’s Bay started ofl! well against Wellington to-day, securing a fourtwo lead, but once the champions settled down the issue was never in doubt. The tall Wellington forwards had a distinct advantage, and the combination and speed of the team were most impressive. Canterbury beat a fairly strong Otago side by a big margin. The winners showed speed and cleverness and their handling was almost perfect. Their goal throwing also was a revelation, very few shots missing. The Canterbury centre third line was definitely superior, and the strength of this division was mainly responsible for a good win. * Inability to make full use of chances was responsible for Auckland’s defeat at the hands of Southland. Had Auckland’s handling been better the result might have been different. The score in the Hawke’s BayAuckland game was not a true indication of the relative merits of the teams, Auckland playing a much better game than earlier in the day. It was a very fast open game, in which a high standard of play was reached. Hawke’s Bay was slow to start, and at first there was much illdirected shooting. However, after settling down, the Hawke’s Bay team combined well and handled well. In spite of the slippery court, Otago and Southland provided a fast game. There was little between the teams, Southland just managing to pull the game out of the fire. , _ South Canterbury and Southland Minor look to have the second grade trophies in hand, both being stronger than the other teams. In the third grade. Bush have won four games so far, and West Coast and Wanganui three. None of these has had a loss, and the issue is still very open. Results: — . First Grade Wellington 20, Hawke’s Bay 11. Canterbury 27, Otago 12. Southland 11. Auckland 4. Hawke’s Bay 20, Auckland 11. Southland 17. Otago 16.

Second Grade South Canterbury 10, Ashburton 11. Southland Minor 17. Manawatu 7. Hutt Valley 12, Walrarapa 11. Ashburton 21, Manawatu 19. Waikato 15, Walrarapa 12. Wairoa 10, Waikato 8. South Canterbury 14, Hutt Valley 12.

Third Grade West Coast 11, Marlborough 9. Wanganui 20, Buller 12. Hawke’s Bay Minor 20, Hokitika 10. Bush i 18, Horowhenua 11. Wanganui 17. Norgi Otago 14. Horowhenua 24, Buller 9. Bush 22, Hawke's Bay Minor 9. Marlborough 11. North Otago 9.