BASKETBALL CANTERBURY LOSES TO OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28368, 29 August 1957, Page 14

BASKETBALL CANTERBURY LOSES TO OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND

(From Our Own Reporter)

GREYMOUTH, Aug. 28. Weather was ideal ~ht Grey mouth for the New Zealand basketball tournament today. Canterbury, last year’s winner, was beaten in both its games, and although no-one would deny the Otago and Southland teams the honours they gained, Canterbury were perhaps unlucky in not being able to field the best team chosen by the selectors. Influenza has taken toll of many of the players, and some are confined to bed. Defeating Canterbury this morning by M-11, Otago’s wfn came as a surprise. Otago nad the throw-bff, but missed their first goal. However, they then netted two in quick succession, although Canterbury by then were up. L. Price netted some neat goals at this stage, but from this point on the Canterbury forward third did not function as a unit. Mishandling was smartly snapped up by the Otago defence. Fine interception by E. Tait left the Canterbury forwards standing, and the anticipation, of A. Tyler and the following up of L. Muir left nothing to be desired in the Otago defence. The score was 4-3 in Canterbury’s favour, but a much improved Otago forward third almost completely nonplussed the Canterbury defence, and they added two goals in quick succession. From then on Otago played like a team Inspired. .The half-time score was 6-aH., Resuming ploy after half-time there was no question as to the better team, although Canterbury ; was far from being disgraced. J. Fuller, in tiie centre third, made some fine saves, and was ably supported by J. Bonafacio and •-S. Fisher. Each Side scored early in the spell, and from then on Otago were never headed, their score going to 14-11. The absence of J. Dunlop in the forward third was a big loss for Canterbury and it was beaten by a better team. The teams were:—

Canterbury.—J. Irvine, M. Fisher, L. Price, J. Bonafacio, J. Fuller, S. Fisher, N. Treconing (captain), P. Edmonds, C. Brown. Otago.—W.. Willon, J. Powell, P. McClay, D. Ball, J. Barron, S. Chin, L. Muir. A. Tyler (captain), E. Tait. Southland's Win Dogged by still more sickness among its team the Canterbury selectors were faced with playing some players out of position in the hope that they could field a good team. In the absence of the team’s usually reliable forward, J. Dunlop, and the experienced J. Fuller, however. Canterbury was beaten by the better Southland team by 26 to 15. Canterbury won the toss and in quick succession scored four before Southland opened its account. Five mis-shots at goal in succession

by Canterbury and four mo're successful ones b> Southland brought the score to 5-4 in Southland's favour. Southland continued giving a display of fast and interesting basketball. It was obvious that soma of the Canterbury players were feeling the effects of the ’flu and their play appeared jaded The Canterbury centres swung into action admirably with R. Tozer making some fine openings, but they missed the solidity and experience of J. Fuller. The first spell ended with Southland leading 11-8. Southland took the field in the second spell with renewed vigour and the team’s forwards became much more accurate while, unluckly for Canterbury, its forwards could not strike form and Southland soon held a lead of 19 goals to 9. Southland richly deserved its win as they played with more cohesion and often revealed Canterbury’s weaknesses. It completely overwhelmed Canterbury in every third and drew away to win comfortably by 26 to 15. In recent years interest has waned as Canterbury has gone on its winning way at New Zealand tournaments, but excitement is high this year as to who will become this year’s champions. The teams were:— *' ■> Canterbury: M. Fisher, P. Edmonds, L. Price, R. Tozer, S. Fisher, J. Bonafacio, C. Brown. N. Tregoning, E. Back. Southland: E. Fahey, C. Fahey, A. Sinclair, F. Drake, C. McNeill, M. Gardiner, N. Cruickshanks, M. O’Neill, P. Williams. Championship Points Championship points gt the end of today’s games, according to a Press Association message, were:— First Grade.—Southland 6, Southland Country, Wellington and Otago 4; Auckland, Canterbury, Hawks’s Bay, 2; Hutt Valley, 0. Second Grade.— Manawatu, 10; Taranaki, 8; Tauranga and Wanganui, 6; Matamata and Nelson, 4; Eastern Bay of Plenty, 3; Horowhenua, South Canterbury, West Coast, 2; Marlborough, 1. Detailed results:— First Grade.—Wellington- 27, Hawke’s Bay 23; Southland 28j Hutt Valley 21; Otago 14, Canterbury 11; Otago 23, Hutt Valley 12; Southland 26, Canterbury 14; Southland Country 27, Hawke’s Bay 25. Second Grade.—Taranaki- 27, South Canterbury 20; Wanganui 26, Matamata 17; West Coast 20, Eastern Bay of Plenty 20; Manawatu 26, • Horowhenua 21; Tauranga 23, Nelson 14; West Coast 12, Marlborough 12; South Canterbury 22, Eastern Bay of Plenty 21; Taranaki 24, Wanganui 21; Manawatu 28, Nelson 18; Tauranga 24. Marlborough 9; Matamata 24, West Coast 18; Taranaki 25, Horowhanua