Indoor Basketball TWO TEAMS LEADING IN SENIOR COMPETITION

Press, Volume C, Issue 29557, 5 July 1961, Page 17

Indoor Basketball TWO TEAMS LEADING IN SENIOR COMPETITION

The Canterbury Men's Indoor Basketball Association continued its senior competition grade matches in the King Edward Barracks last evening. The best match was that between Latter Day Saints and Rex. L.D.S. won by three points, but there was practically nothing between the teams. Although this match was not played at the high and exciting pitch of the L.D.S, game with Boys' Gordon Hall seniors last week, it was still a good one to watch. This week. Boys’ Gordon Hall drew a bye. and a win by Y-Boys resulted in these two teams now leading the competition on equal terms. L.D.S. maintained its third position by beating Rex, which has had to give way to University in fourth place. The points table now reads: B.G.H. and Y-Boys. 16; L.D.S 15; University, 13; Rex, 12; Wigram. 6; Teachers’ College 0. Results of last evening’s games were:— Y-Boy» 52. Wigram 18. L.D.S. 35. Rex 32. UniverslU 33, Teachers* College 22. SLOW FIRST HALF Much of the game between University and Teachers' College was slow, if not tedious. University had members of the Canterbury representative squad in its team, but the lethargic pace, careless passing, and third-rate shooting, did not bear the mark of representative quality or form. The points proved It.

Teachers' College was leading at half-time by 12 points to 11. each side having scored only eight points in the first 15 minutes of the game. (Teachers' College has not drawn a game this season, let alone won one.'

University took 10 minutes to Sit in the lead and five minutes om full time had only a fourpoint margin. However, eagerness by Teachers' College players to get back into the game—which they seemed to nave a not unreasonable chance of doing —led to foula and free throws against them. Slightly improved gosling by R. Zachartassen and W. Smith did the rest, and University won 39-22. Teachers’ College deserved full credit for the manner in which it worked University and took advantage of most of the numerous opportunities it was allowed for itself. M. Taiaroa shot poorly but he was a fit and tireless team-wo-ker in the field. Points were scored as follows : University—R. Zachariassen 15 (Including three out of four free throws); W. Smith 10 (two of four free throws'; D. McArthur 4. W. Ward-Holmes 2. T. Morris 2. Teachers' College —B. Burdon 12, F. Blddulph 6. J. Stewart 2. L. Murray 2. DECISIVE WIN Y-Boys have good combination. When they met a comparatively weak side Ln Wlgram last evenin® they bad a runaway win. Y-Boys were not extended to emerge from the first spell leading 26-14; in the next half Wigram managed to fret only four more points while ts opponents doubled their score. The only Wigram player with any pretensions of equality with Y-Boys was the captain, D. de Felice, who held his team together remarkably well and scored more than half his side's points. To look at A. Soley, a YBo.vs player, one would be pardoned for believing that a man of his bulk would not be in the hunt. Soley. however, will represent Canterbury this season; last evening he turned on a fine display of speed over the court and accurate goallng. Points scored were as follows: Y-Boys.—A. Soley 14 (seven goals'. C. Harley 12. J. Dalton

10. K Ewing 8 A. Pollltt 4. M McDougall 4. Wlgram.—D. de Felice 10. Tunciicllffe 6. Rendal 1 EXCITING STRUGGLE The close and changing fortunes of LDS. and Bex made their match exciting. L.D S. seemed to be playing below u® form, or Rex had sudden, v improved markedly on Ma more recent performance*; probably a little of both would be correct. The greatest margin of points between the two at any a»sge was four points. Rex won the first spell 15-11 but L.D.S. was the winner with four points scored in the final minute of play Scorers were L.D.S.—Zollinger 11 (three out of four free throws', Peterson 8, Johnson 9. Poll 9. Gray 4 Rex—P. Ward 9. M West 8. R Smith 8. A. Berzins 4, A. HarboU 3.