BASKETBALL

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27440, 28 August 1954, Page 2

BASKETBALL

NATIONAL WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT

CANTERBURY TO CONTEST FINAL (New Zealand Press Association) HASTINGS. August 27. Canterbury took the lead from Auckland today in the New Zealand women’s outdoor basketball tournament, and these two teams will meet in the final game of the tournament tomorrow. Neither has been beaten, but Auckland drew with Hawke’s Bay. There were no upsets in form in the first grade today, and generally the basketball was of a high standard. The weather was fine but windy, and the attendance excellent. In the second grade. South Canterbury maintained its winning sequence, and now has a one-point lead over Rotorua. The main surprises of the day were the defeat of Hutt Valley by Southland Minor, and Rotorua’s win over Taranaki. Taranaki and Hutt Valley are dual holders of the President’s Shield in the second grade, but present indications are that neither will retain the shield. Points gained by the teams are as follows: First Grade.—Canterbury 14, Auckland 13, Hawke's Bay 11, Otago 8, Wellington 6, Wanganui 6, Tauranga 4, Southland 2. Manawatu 0. * Second Grade.—South Canterbury 17, Rotorua 16, Hutt Valley 15, Southland Minor 14, Taranaki 14, Waikato 14, Matamata 10, Ashburton 8, Nelson 7, Marlborough 7, Horowhenua 2, West Coast 2, Poverty Bay 0. Today’s results were:— First Grade.—Wanganui 19, Wellington 18; Canterbury 30, Southland 13; Tauranga 27, Manawatu 14; Hawke’s Bay 19, Otago 10; Auckland 19, Southland 12; Otago 22, Wanganui 13; Hawke’s "Bay 22, Wellington 21; Canterbury 23. Manawatu 13. Second Grade.—Southland Minor 22, Matamata 14; Hutt Valley 25, Poverty Bay 22; West Coast 18, Horowhenua 16; Nelson 15, Rotorua 2; Waikatd 25, Marlborough 16; South Canterbuy 17. Ashburton 13; Taranaki 23, Horowhenua 8; Hutt Valley 19, Matamata 5; Waikato 28, Poverty Bay 18; Southland Minor 15, West Coast 10; Nelson 13, Horowhenua 11; Ashburton 14, Matamata 13; Rotorua 13, Taranaki 12; South Canterbury 17, Marlborough 15; Southland Minor 21, Hutt Valley 20. Teams for the inter-island match, which will conclude the tournament tomorrow afternoon, were announced this evening as follows: South Island Forwards: G. Sinclair (Otago), J. Edwards (Canterbury), A. Hughes (Canterbury). Emergency: P. Hawkins (Southland). Centres: P. Butchers (Otago), D. Hughes (Canterbury), J. Fuller (Canterbury). Emergency: J. Barron (Otago). Defenders: L. Osborne (Otago, captain), N. Tregonning (Canterbury), A. Kingsbury (Canterbury). Emergency, E. Tait (Otago). North Island Forwards: I. Lowe (Auckland, captain). D. Osborne (Tauranga), V. Sundle (Auckland). Emergency, P. Malone (Taranaki). Centres: K. Gedge (Wanganui), J. McLaren (Hawke’s Bay), J. Lett (Auckland) Emergency, S. Baird (Auckland). Defenders: Z. Sunde (Auckland), Z. Poole (Hawke’s Bay), F. Spence (Auckland). Emergency, J. McKain (Hawke's Bay).

CANTERBURY’S MATCHES

“The Press” Special Service HASTINGS. August 27. Canterbury bc-t Manawatu and Southland in its two matches at the New Zealand women’s outdoor basketball tournament today. Canterbury intercepted Southland’s first centre. pass to open the scoring, and scored several goals before Southland netted. Canterbury had no difficulty in directing play to the circle, and all three forwards—J. Edwards, J. Murray, and A. Hughes—goaled consistently. The Southland defence was unable to counter their attacking moves in all thirds. B ; Pratt, in co-operation with J. Fuller and D. Hughes, repeatedly bustled Southland into errors, and the Southland forwards saw little of the ball. The halftime score was: Canterbury 19, Southland 7. Southland improved considerably in the second spell, and was more successful in its goaling. The Canterbury forwards had trouble with the high, gusty wind. In Canterbury’s defence third, M. KuniSer was adroit in changing play to atck. Both teams appeared to tire in the latter stages, and welcomed the final whistle. The score was: Canterbury 30,

In its game with Manawatu, Canterbury attacked from the whistle and secured a useful lead before Manawatu scored. The Canterbury centre players— J. Cameron, D. Hughes, and J. Fuller—moved freely and sent sure passes for the forward area. The Manawatu forwards, although quick to move, were inclined to give too many loose passes, and the Canterbury defence was alert to maJce the most of such lapses. J. Irvine shot consistently, and was given every opportunity to do so by A. Hughes and Murray. Manawatu strove to assert itself, but Canterbury, having taken the initiative, was able to withstand the challenge. The half-time score was: Canterbury 15, Manawatu S. Play was scrappy at the start of the second spell, and it was some time before Canterbury showed its true form. The Manawatu forwards had livened up their play, and scored some spectacular goals, but E. Back, who has improved with each game, made several fine interceptions under the goal ring. The Canterbury forwards penetrated with ease, and in all thirds Canterbury showed marked superiority. In the concluding minutes, Canterbury added several goals, and Manawatu offered little opposition. The final score was: Canterbury 33. Manawatu 13.