N.Z. TOURNAMENT AT GISBORNE

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

N.Z. TOURNAMENT AT GISBORNE

BASKETBALL

CANTERBURY LOSES TO SOUTHLAND TEAM STILL IN LEAD % (New Zealand Press Association) GISBORNE. August 24. The New Zealand basketball championships were continued today in dull, cold weather, and a heavy shower in the luncheon break, which, however, did not delay the programme. The three leaders in the first grade. Canterbury, Auckland, and Southland Country, were all defeated. Southland beat the hitherto unbeaten Canterbury side, and Hawke’s Bay beat Auckland. Otago beat Southland Country. The leaders at the end of the day s play were: Canterbury, 6 wins, 1 loss; Hawke's Bay and Auckland, each 5 wins. 2 losses; and Southland and Southland Country in third place. In the second grade, the leaders, Hutt Valley and South Canterbury, also went down, but still retain their championship positions. The third grade is still very open, although East Bay of Plenty has nine wins in section one, compared with Ashburton and Te Kawau with eight wins and one loss each, in section two.

Results: — First Grade. —Southland 29, Wanganui 22; Canterbury 19. Otago 9; Wellington 20, Auckland 32; Otago 21, Southland Country 18; Hawke’s Bay 25, Auckland 22; Rotorua 28, Wellington 23. Second Grade.—South Canterbury 31. Wellington Minor 8; Neison 22, West Coast 7; Waikato Minor 17, Wairarapa 12; Hutt Valley 25, Northland 10; Taranaki 32, Horowhenua 13; Manawatu 21, Matamata 19; Marlborough 17. Nelson 14; Ashburton 25, Wairarapa 16: Northland 22. Waikato 21; West Coast 25, Tauranga 22; Hutt Valley 28, Manawatu 10; Northland 25. South Canterbury 22. Third Grade.—Poverty Bay-East Coast 18, Hawke’s Bay Minor 12; Otago Minor 36, Wairoa 8; Poverty Bay 24, Taranaki Minor 23; Auckland Minor 16. Buller 15; Central King Country 12. Canterbury Sub-Associations 20; South Auckland 21. Hokitika 19; Tekawau 24, Thames 16; Eastern Bay of Plenty 21, Putaruru 14; Temuka 20. Manawatu Minor 17; Canterbury Sub-Associations 25, Poverty \ BayEast Coast 7; Thames Valley 24, Central King Country 6; Temuka 27, Otago Minor 18; Putaruru 29. Kaikoura 12; Wairoa 26, Hokitika 10; South Auckland 30. Poverty Bay 14; East Bay of Plenty 32. Taranaki Minor 12; Hawke’s Bay Minor 10. Auckland Minor 2. CANTERBURY v. OTAGO Lower than usual scoring was the trend of play in the Canterbury-Otago match The strong Otago defence proved equal to the Canterbury attack. Play began quietly, but by .half-time had developed into the usual dour battle, which has become customary for these two teams. Otago’s forward third strived hard to gain a lead, but their shooting was far from good, and Canterbury took the lead. The half-time score was very low—lo-5 in Canterbury’s favour. In the second half, Canterbury used some clever court work and the wild passing of the first half diminished. S. Fisher played magnificently throughout. With J. Fuller and J. Barron, she played smartly to the forward area, where J. Edwards. M. Fisher, and J Dunlop showed fine combination and grand shooting. Canterbury’s defence lapsed at times, but was able to keep Otago well out in the goal area. Canterbury’s main stumbling block was the strong Otago defence, but after interchanging of positions by the Canterbury forwards, the defence was penetrated and the score became convincing. Final score: Canterbury 20, Otago 9 CANTERBURY y. SOUTHLAND The game between Canterbury and Southland was full of thrills. Spectators were treated to some spectacular basketball from the first throw-off, after which Southland scored twice in succession J Edwards opened the scoring for Canterbury, and play fluctuated with Southland unlucky in its shooting. The Canterbury team at this stage was combining neatly, and the handling of a slippery ball could not be faulted South/ land’s goal shooting improved, and Canterbury’s position became shaky. Plav developed into a close struggle, and the scores evened. There were many stoppages for injuries.

Southland chased Canterbury throughout the second half, and gradually overtook Canterbury’s score at 14-14 After that, play was fast and exciting The Southland team rose to the occasion.although the Canterbury defence kept the Southland forwards well out to shoot No latitude was given on either side, and many penalty shots followed, givine Southland . a lead of two goals. J. Fuller played a sound game in centre and was seen in some neat saves for Canterbury. There was little to choose between either side, but Southland gradually dominated play and drew away to a Onal score of: Canterbury 18, Southland 21. INTER-ISLAND TEAMS (New Zealand Press Association) GISBORNE, August 24. Teams for the inter-island match at the New Zealand basketball championships tomorrow were announced today as follows: North Island.—Forwards: J. Waititi (Auckland), captain; T. Jamieson (Rotorua), J. Laws (Hawke's Bay), O. Morris (Auckland), reserve. Centres: F. Smith (Auckland), M. Scott (Hawke’s Bay), B Pyne (Auckland). J Mutiner (Wanganui) reserve. Defence: Z. Wattie (Hawke’s Bay), vice-captain; L. Kitt (Hawke’s Bay), J. McKain (Hawke’s Bay), P. McGreevey (Rotorua), reserve. South Island.—Forwards: J. Edwards (Canterbury), captain; F. Brown (Southland Country), F. Fisher (Canterbury), E Fahey (Southland), reserve. Centres: J Fuller (Canterbury), J. McLaren (Southland), S. Fisher (Canterbury), A. Bolton (Otago), reserve. Defence: Tyler (Otago). E. Back (Canterbury), L. Muir (Otago), vice-captain; P. E. Edmunds (Canterbury), reserve. ’