Men's Basketball Titles

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28984, 27 August 1959, Page 17

Men's Basketball Titles

In the Canterbury men’s basketball team to play in the national championships in Wellington next week, there is a solid core of six very experienced players and three others who, to say the least, won their places through sheer hard work, and practice. Canterbury has been seeded third in the country, and must be given a good chance for the title, even against the top seeds, Wellington and Hamilton. Canterbury’s, guard line, comprising K. Ewing, H. Fox, R. Burnby and M. McKay is a smooth-working combination, capable of scoring; rebounding and fast breaking with the best. In the centre, D. Waple is really playing to top form, driving hard, and he should have a good tournament, especially when he has such fast moving and consistent scorers as R. Salt, R. Burnby, R. Sneddon and R. Thomson in the forward line with him. Like most top provinces, Canterbury uses fast man-to-man tactics. The team’s handling is good and solid training has developed a high standard of physical fitness, one of the first essentials.

Always very open, the nationals are easy for no-one. However if winning the South Island title, with other successes during the season, can be taken as a guide, then all of Canterbury’s opponents will have much respect for the Canterbury combination.