REPRESENTATIVE INDOOR GAMES

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28347, 5 August 1957, Page 12

REPRESENTATIVE INDOOR GAMES

Tournament At Ashburton A large number of spectators attended the representative men’s and women’s A and B grade indoor basketbail fixtures among the MidCanterbury. Otago, and Canterbury associations in the-Sports Hall. Ashburton. on Saturday evening. The tournament was conducted by the Mid-Canterbury Indoor' Basketball Association and produced a particularly high standard of basketball in all games. / Results:— A Grade.—Women: Otago 17, Canterbury 15. Men: Canterbury 35, Otogo 32. B Grade.—Women: Otago 28, MidCanterbury 21. Men: Otago 24. MidCanterbury 21. A grade matches were noticeably faster than the B grade. In the women’s game, both teams used a sound defence. It was Otago’s skill from the free throw line which gave 'the team victory, there being only three field goals scored to Canterbury’s six When the pace of play was increased in the last few minutes, Canterbury started fouling, and Otago established a lead on fouls to win 17-15. Top scorers were M. Wilson and M. Inglis, for Otago, and Tregoning and J. Fuller for Canterbury. The men’s game was not up to the standard which these teams displayed at the recent South Island championships, and it was evident that Canterbury was not yet fully confident in ‘ the play it had been developing under an American coach. Fun credit must go to Otago, however. for its splendid recovery during a thrilling second half. From nine points down at half-time they lost In the last few minutes. 32-35. Although Canterbury was able to take clay to the Otaeo end on many occasions, it found difficulty in breaking the defence, especially that of C. Hay. who nlaved an outstanding game. R. Entwistle and R. Salt were top scorers for Canterbury in this game, and C. Hay scored most of Otago’s goals. B Grade Matches The B grade games were significant for the improved showing of the Mid-Canterbury teams. Long passing has strengthened the play ot the women in particular, though both were often unable to break through the Otago defenefe, and shots were taken from well out. Top scorers in ‘the women’s match were M. Downes and B. Moore for Otago, and I. Wills for Mid-Canterbury. Smith and Pettigrew. for Otago, and Bennett for Mid-Canterbury, were the major scorers in the men’s match.