Basketball N.Z. TOURNEY

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28983, 26 August 1959, Page 15

Basketball N.Z. TOURNEY

Three Teams In Lead

(New Zealand Press Association) INVERCARGILL Aug. 25.

Southland Country almost caused the upset of the day when it held Southland, last year's New Zealand champion, to a 22-al! draw in the most thrilling game of the first day of the New Zealand Basketball Association’s national tournament held at Invercargill today. All games were played in cold, blustery conditions, with a fairly strong wind sweeping across the courts and hindering the goal-shoot-ing.

Teams to earn maximum points were Canterbury, Auckland, and Hawke's Bay. All players appeared to be handling the new rules well. This is the first Dominion tournament held under international rules. Auckland scored a 28-21 win over Wanganui, but the game was closer than the score may suggest, Auckland led 14-12 at half-time. On the resumption of play Wanganui fought back well, and headed Auckland, but in the dying stages Auckland rallied.

Canterbury was too good for Rotorua. winning by 36 goals to 24. and had an even easier win against Hutt Valley. 35-15. Canterbury was on top throughout. Results were:—

First Grade.—Southland 30. Hutt Valley 19: Canterbury 36. Rotorua 24; Hawke’s Bay 32. Southland Country 29; Auckland 28, Wanganui 21: Matamata 33. Otago 30; Auckland 33. Matamata 13: Hawke's Bay 30, Wanganui 18; Southland 22, Southland Country 22; Otago 25. Rotorua 22: Canterbury 35. Hutt Valley 15. Third Grade.—Wairarapa 29. Canterbury Sub-associations 25; Ashburton 42. West Coast 28; Marlborough 23. Taranaki 11: Thames Valley 30. Hokitika 14: Putaruru 44. Poverty Bay 14: West Coast 23. Poverty Bav 12; Wairarapa 32, Ashburton 26; Thames Valley 21. Canterbury 20; Putaruru 30. Marlborough 27; Taranaki 21, Hokitika 18.