MEN’S INDOOR BASKETBALL

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28056, 25 August 1956, Page 2

MEN’S INDOOR BASKETBALL

AUCKLAND WINS N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIP (New Zealana Press Association > DUNEDIN, August 24. Auckland won the New Zealand men s basketball championship when the team won its seventh and final game in the tournament, which was completed in the Town Hall today. Auckland aid not lose a game, ana scored 403 points to 282 scored against it. Wellington took second place. It was beaten only once, when it met Auckland on the first day. The final positions were:—Auckland < points, Wellington 6, Palmerston North 4, Southland 3, Canterbury 3. Nelson 2. Otago 1 Results ot today's games were:— Palmerston North 50, Southland 44; Auckland 57. Nelson 35; Canterbury 52, Otago 50; Wellington 75, Hamilton 54. Second division play-off for third place: Otago B 48, Motueka 46. Non-championship event: Marlborough 43, Otago 38. Yesterday’s games resulted Wellington 55, Southland • 46; Canterbury 55, Nelson 53; Palmerston North 65, Otago 48; West Coast 47 Mid-Canterbury 40.

CANTERBURY’S MATCHES Canterbury, m spite of its poor start, finished in fourth place. In its final two games of the tournament against Nelson and Otago, Canterbury was again hard-pressed to win, ana in each game won by one goal. In seven games played during the week, Canterbury has either won or lost six games by one goal, and is becoming known as the “referees' nightmare.’’ The coach (Mr R. S. Thomson), for most games, has found it almost impossible to use his substitutes. In the Otago game, which was won by Canterbury, 52-50, the score fluctuated, neither team gaining a clear lead. Salt. McDougall, and McCrea were Canterbury’s outstanding scorers, netting 15, 14, and 10 points respectively. In the guard-line. H. Fox and D. Sabiston continued to impress mainly in rebounding and feeding, although the set shooting of Fox has been a little better than that of Sabiston. For Otago, G. Alabaster scored 19 points. I McLachlan, 14. and D. Milne 12. The game against Nelson was very similar to the Otago match, with the exception that use was made of man-to-man tactics Canterbury used these tactics in an endeavour to run a tired Nelson team off its feet. In some respects the play was successful, particularly • when it came to hard rebounding where Canterbury’s physical fitness stood out. Salt, McCrea and McDougall were again the successful scorers, netting in this game 41 points between them. Fox scored eight points from the guard line. For Nelson, Bradley scored 22 points. Cotton 15. and Charlotte, 10. INTER-ISLAND TEAMS "The Press” Special Service „ . DUNEDIN. August 24. The following teams have been selected to represent the North and South Islands North Island: R Player (Auckland), c Venacek (Auckland). N. Cousins (Palmerston North). K Carr (Palmerston North) R. Slrange (Palmerston North), R. Bruce (Wellington), W Cherrie (Palmerston North), M. Mcßain (Palmerston North) B Corlett (Auckland). R. Williams (Auckland). South Island: H. Fox (Canterbury) D Sabiston (Canterbury). G. Baxter (Nelson) G, Nicholson (Southland). A. McCrea (Canterbury), B. Bradley (Nelson). R. Salt (Canterbury). B. Cotton (Nelson), J. Alabaster (Southland). G. Alabaster (ptago).