BASKETBALL

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26824, 1 September 1952, Page 8

BASKETBALL

TWO N.Z. TITLES TO CANTERBURY AUCKLAND BEATEN IN SENIOR GRADE “The Press” Special Service AUCKLAND, Aug. 31. Enterprising moweinents and accurate shooting were features of the New Zealand basketball tournament at the Windmill road courts on Saturday, when, in the final of the first grade, Canterbury beat Auckland, to retain the New Zealand cup. Auckland retained the Anne Brown cup for runner-up. This is Canterbury’s third success in the last three tournaments.

The match between North Island and South Island provided good fare for the 1500 spectators. South Island won by 26 to 15. _

The third-grade championship was won by the Canterbury minor team. In yesterday’s final game against Auckland, the Canterbury senior team led from start to finish. Play was even in the first spell, and the forwards in both teams shot consistently. Canterbury had an added advantage in ability to manoeuvre into a more favourable position in the circle. The Auckland forwards were forced to shoot from well out. The halftime score was 14-12 ‘in Canterbury’s favour.

From the start of the second half, Canterbury attacked, and after intercepting the Auckland throw-off, the Canterbury players all handled for A. Clark to increase their tally. In the next few minutes, Canterbury took the initiative, and the forwards, making no mistakes with their goaling, gave Canterbury a comfortable lead.

N. Nicholls was prominent for Auckland with her accurate shooting and decisive handling, but the Canterbury defence was quick to accept any loose passes, and made no mistake with passing to the centre third. A round of applause greeted the final whistle, which acclaimed Canterbury the 1952 champions. The score was: Canterbury 28, Auckland 22. The Canterbury minor team, playing in the third grade, after several close games won its final game against Manawatu by 23 goals to 21. The game was open throughout. S. Winskill (forward) and M. Mills (defence) played well throughout the tournament.

The Canterbury minor team's success is all the more meritorious in that, playing as they do in widely-separated districts, the members' opportunities for practice together are few. Like the Canterbury major team, this team went through the tournament without a loss.

Inter-Island Game The spectators were on their toes during the first half of the match between the South Island and the North Islana. Early in the game, the South Island held a slight lead, but the North Island gave every indication of taking command. R. Corbett, for the North Island, played a splendid game, and made some clever interceptions in the centre third. The second spell clearly showed the superiority of the South Island players who, with the added advantage of combination, attacked from the whistle. a. Hughes, J. Murray, and A. Clark, the South Island forwards, shot some fine goals, and their handling was sure and accurate. The North Island defence offered little opposition, and the forwards were failing to find the ring. South Island continued to score freely, and full time came with the score: South Island 26, North Island Tournament results were:—

First Grade.—Auckland 26. Manawatu 16: Southland 30, Otago 27; Wellington 18. Hawke’s Bay 16; Canterbury 28, Auckland 22. Third Grade.—Waikato 20, Wellington 18; Canterbury 25, Northland 23; Te Kawau 21, Auckland 17; King Country 27, Temuka 17; Thames Valley 29, Putaruru 16; Hawke’s Bay 16, Taranaki 16; Manawatu 24. Wairarapa 18; South Auckland 16, Otago 16; Kaikoura won by default from Wairoa; Manawatu 19. Bay of Plenty 13; Northland 21, Manawatu 17. First-grade championship points: Canterbury 16, Auckland 13, Wellington 11, Hawke’s Bay 10, Southland 7, Wanganui 6, Tauranga 5. Otago 4.