BASKETBALL CANTERBURY UNBEATEN IN SOUTH ISLAND TOURNEY

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28963, 3 August 1959, Page 7

BASKETBALL CANTERBURY UNBEATEN IN SOUTH ISLAND TOURNEY

The first South Island quadrangular tournament for senior representative teams was played at South Hagley Park on Saturday. Conditions were perfect, and the day's basketball attracted many spectators. Canterbury, which was unbeaten in three games, had the greatest success As a trial the tournament was an unqualified success. Teams were changed for every game, coaches testing new combinations. The results were not always successful, but new Canterbury’s representatives—C. McMaster. M. Murray, and M. Dwan—played much better than was expected Canterbury’s play was by no means faultless. In comparison with its opponents, Canterbury's play was colourless. Otago gained two meritorious wins and lost only to Canterbury, and many present believed that had the Joan Young Cup game been played late in the afternoon and not as the first game of the tournament, Otago could have offered more serious opposition Southland, holder of the New Zealand Cup, did not have a successful day, gaining only one win from Southland Country, but its play throughout was of a high standard. Results were as follows:

Canterbury 33, Otago 13. Canterbury 36. Southland Country 23. Canterbury 27, Southland 21. Otago 28, Southland 24. Otago 36. Southland Country 22. Southland 23, Southland Country 19 SOUTHLAND v. SOUTHLAND COUNTRY Southland’s pass from its throwoff failed, and in a fine passing movement Southland Country took play to the goal area, where J. Burgess goaled. In the next few minutes few moves went through unchecked and a monotonous number of careless infringements kept play broken. Goals' were rarely scored from the throw-off, but were frequently gained from penatlies and free shots. Gains by the Southland defence late in the spell enabled it to hold a territorial advantage and the new combination of Celia and Mopica Fahey commenced to take shape by half-time, when Southland held a 13-7 lead.

Astute play by C. Fahey found gaps tn the Southland Country defence, and Southland Increased its lead Relentless defence by M. O’Neill broke up many Southland Counrty moves, but neither team showed any aptitude for positional play Southland retained its first spell advantage until 'a series Of stepping infringements reduced its efficiency. Southland Country’s response at this vital stage was disappointing and scoring chances were lost through careless play. With little time remaining and Soutnland leading 21-18, Southland Country launched its most impressive attack an'd S. Bacon goaled well to reduce Southland’s lead. From the throw-off Southland Country lost possession in the circle after an infringement. Southland kept play in its opponent’s territory for the remainder of the game. The referee was Mrs A. South. CANTERBURY V. SOUTHLAND COUNTRY The teams were:— Canterbury —M. Murray, J. Dunlop, J. Fuller. P Edmonds. M. Fisher, E. Back, M. Dwan. Southland Country.—M Snow, J Burgess, J. Wilson. P. Kerr, M. Clark, L. Shaw. F. Brown.

Canterbury gained possession of a Southland Country pass alter an infringement, and in the ensuing minutes consolidated its attack with vigilant play and led 3-0. Southland Country found form and J. Burgess opened its scoring with a fine goal, repeating her success minutes later. Intelligent play by Canterbury's nimble centre, M. Fisher, gave Canterbury further gains and excellent shooting by M. Murray aided Canterbury’s attack, the side leading 6-2. Infringements by Canterbury’s . defence affected the trend of play, and Southland Country, gaining from the free pass, goaled. Southland Country intensified its attack. but Canterbury tightened its play and from interceptions by E. Back and M. Dwan. regained the initiative to go to a seven-goal lead. Southland Country's failure to restrict the play of the Canterbury forward, M. Murray, was mainly responsible for the ease with which Canterbury dominated play at that stage. An njury to Canterbury’s able centre, M Fisher, necessitated her replacement by A. Blair, and Canterbury’s attack lost much of its resilience because of this change. Southland Country goaled from Canterbury's hesitant passing and careless throws. At half-time Canterbury led 17-9. Poor use of its throw-oil lost Canterbury a scoring chance and Southland Country goaled first, but Canterbury retaliated with an audacious well-timed two-move, and in tlie folowing minutes Canterbury®’ attack strengthened. Although Southland Country’s play from set moves did not impress, its fine team-work showed to advantage in moves initiated by the defence and executed with precision and a growing regard for good positional play. Canterbury s strength again showed mostly n the forward area, where J. Dunlop and M. Murray goaled with ease from all round the circle. Southland Country's lack of determined defence made Canterbury’s task comparatively easy * The reftree was Mrs D. Hughes SOUTHLAND COUNTRY v. OTAGO In the early stages, though Southland Country’held a territorial advantage. 'ts failure to capitalise by goaling accurately kept play even Excellent defence by S. Patrick and J. Deaker kept Southland Country on the defensive and Otago increased the pressure as the forwards. A Vincent and H. Woodhead, penetrated tire circle skilfully to goal

well. At half-time Otago led 19-11. In the second spell Otago displayed excellent teamwork and sound tactical knowledge. Strongly supported by the capable defensive play of Patrick and Deaker, Otago allowed Southland Country little respite as it attacked relentlessly. Although Otago’s hold on the game seldom slackened, this spell was made memorable through the quality of both teams’ passing, and the frequent interceptions by the centres, B. Caird and J. Lischner, for Otago, and P. Kerr and L. Shaw, for Southland Country, brought frequent applause from the stands. The referee was Mrs A. South. SOUTHLAND V. CANTERBURY The teams were:— Canterbury.—J. Dunlop. C. McMaster, J. Fuller, A. Blair, P. Edmonds, E. Back. C. Brown. , Southland.—A. Sinclair, C. Fahey. M. Fahey. L. Robb, M. Gardiner, N Carroll. M. O’Neill. The final game of the tournament provided spectators with an interesting comparison of widely divergent tactics. Southland favoured a fast, short-passing game with shots at goal taken close in, and Canterbury based its play on the long, high pass to a player, rather than to a position. Poor use of the throw-off cost Canterbury possession, and Southland quickly pressed home tire advantage to lead by two goals Southland attacked with skill, and fine shooting by the Fahey sisters gave Southland a lead of 4 goals to 1. For the remainder of this spell Canterbury was forced to defend, and any slight gains were frequently restricted by the defence of M. O'Neill and N. Carroll. Southland dominated play from* the centre and forward thirds, and its capable ballhandling and brilliant passing left Canterbury defenceless. At halftime Southland led, 13-8.

Canterbury attacked from the throw-off and by determined but colourless plav countered Southland’s attack.' Smooth combination by the forwards. J. Dunlop and C. McMaster, reduced the effectiveness of Southland’s defensive play, and accurate shooting by the youthful forward, r. McMaster, steadily reduced Southland's lead. Southland's forwards also, in attempting to gam good shooting positions, threw many unnecessary passes in the circle, and C. Brown and E. Back for Canterbury frequently gained possession from these passes. Canterbury gained the lead with the score at 15-14, and although the margin separating the, teams fluctuated frequently, Canterbury retained command until the final five minutes when Canterbury quickly added to its score. „ „ , The referee was Mrs D. Hughes. CANTERBURY V. OTAGO Joan Young Cup

Canterbury.—C. McMaster, J>. Dunlop J. Fuller (captain), P. Edmonds, A. Blair. C. Brown, E. Back. Otago.—A. Vincent, H. Woodhead icaptain), B. Laird, J. Lischner. J. Morgan. A. Godsail, S. Patrick. Otago took the initiative when Canterbury's first throw-off failed to reach its objective. But Canterbury was able to go into an early lead. 8-2. after capable interceptions by Blair and Brown, and well-judged moves between Fuller and Dunlop. McMaster, in her first representative match, goaled with skill, and was untroubled in her movements within the goal circle. Canterbury went ahead, though, with little apparent cohesion, the frequent interceptions leaving Otago no scope for attack.

Vincent, for Otago, was conspicuous for her clever ball control, but the opportunities for the Otago goalthrowers were insufficient to allow them to demonstrate their potentialities. Patrick, the formidable goal defence for Otago, intercepted a Canterbury throw-off just before half-time,' but the Otago thrust to goal was halted when A. Blair anticipated a final pass to the circle Canterbury's last goal before the whistle came from one of the few imaginative actions in the spell, when after a missed goal. Dunlop cleverly tapped the ball back around the post to McMaster, who goaled to make the half-time score: Canterbury 16. Otago 6. Canterbury went further Into the lead, and Otago lost further ground as its goalthrowers became unsure and inaccurate.

In spite of the increasing difference in scores, it was the cleverhandling Otago players who provided the few thrills of the match, their speedy footwork, crisp passing, and resourceful attack meriting greater reward. Although Canterbury was never in danger of defeat, or even closely pressed, it failed to capitalise on its opportunities. Just before full time Canterbury was in an unassailable position, leading by 25 goals to 10. when Otago' tired. Except lor the threat of interference by S. Patrick Otago offered little resistance, leaving Dunlop and McMaster to goal with ease and take Canterbury to a comfortable win by 33 goals to 13. Referee' Miss Benbow. SOUTHLAND V. OTAGO

Southland intercepted Otago’s first throw-off and play penetrated to its goal third, where the watchful Otago defence, S. Patrick and J Deaker. put Otago on attack. Otago took the lead from 2-alI, its confidence mounting as the game progressed. H. Woodhead goaled freely for Otago, making good use of tier height in the goal circle Southland’s goal throwers. A. Sinclair and C. Fahey, were both accurate and efficient. At half-time Otago led by 17 goals to 12. Thrilling exchanges in the second half were a feature of play, and Southland gradually overhauled Otago's lead. But a careless infringement by Southland, with the score 23-21, gave Otago control, the final score being: Otago 28. Southland 24.