ROTORUA BEATS CANTERBURY

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28372, 3 September 1957, Page 14

ROTORUA BEATS CANTERBURY

Loser Enters Second

Division '“The Press* Special Service HAMILTON, September 2. Canterbury entered the second division of the New Zealand men’s basketball championships after its defeat by Rotorua by 41 goals to 30 in a grading match today before the commencement of the tournament proper. Canterbury’s team at the tournament is not at full strength Three leading players, Salt, Hack, and Ewing—were unable to attend, and the team was further depleted g* 3*S grading match when Entwhistle could not play because of influenza. He is expected to be available for the remainder of the matches. Not at any stage did Canterbury’s front tine move as a smooth combination, and most of the team played below form. Although Canterbury held the initial advantage Rotorua always looked the better team.

A. Mcßae jumped well in the early part of the match and dominated both backboards, but It was not long before Rotorua found a counter, and Mcßae was closely watched throughout by Rotorua’s star, C. Woolley. When Canterbury was leading 7-6, Rotorua took a time out, and thereafter took complete charge. With the whole team feeding and scoring with every type of shot, Rotorua rushed the score to 25-15 at the interval.

Canterbury’s main weakness was a failure to exploit a fast break while it was offering, and with this went unaccoutable ball handling weaknesses and inaccurate shooting. The final score was Rotorua 41, Canterbury 30. Scorers for Canterbury were G. McDougall (8), Mcßae (8), N. Saunders, G. Alabaster and E. Cameron (4 each), and R. Burnby (2).

Win in Evening ~Z his . evening Canterbury had little difficulty in beating Otago B in the first of a five-match series in its second division section. The score was: Canterbury 63, Otago 14. At half-time Canterbury led, 24-8. Otago, a team comprising country players, was having its first game together. It tried until the end, but had little or no luck with its shooting and no counter to the team play of Canterbury. Scorers for Canterbury were McRae (15), W. Stolehorst (13). Alabaster (9), Burnby and Saunders (8 each). Cameron (6) and M. McDougall (4).