BASKETBALL Canterbury Begins Well In Dunedin

Press, Volume C, Issue 29599, 23 August 1961, Page 6

BASKETBALL Canterbury Begins Well In Dunedin

“The Press” Special Service

DUNEDIN, August 22. The New Zealand basketball tournament began today tn ideal weather. The morning games were played in calm conditions but a strong mid - afternoon breese interfered with the accuracy of some goal-shooters. The most exciting game of the morning between Otago and Southland Country saw a keen hard struggle with brilliant defensive play by both sides. Otago won. 28-?5, Auckland beat Hawke’s Bay, 35-27. Auckland led throughout and was never seriously pressed. Canterbury proved too strong for Manawatu. The Canterbury forwards, C. McMaster and J. Martin, quickly settled down and had six goals to their credit before Manawatu scored. The Canterbury centres, P. Edmonds and N. Fahey, moved at will and their attack was carried out with machine-like precision. At half-time Canterbury led. 26-10. The second half saw frequent infringements by Manawatu and Canterbury dominated , play. J. Martin did excellent work in the field and, with C. McMaster, shot some spectacular goals.

In Canterbury’s defence C. Brown and M. Weiman worked tirelessly and the Manawatu goal-shooters, M. Marriot and J. Vernon, were forced to take most of their shots from the edge of the circle. Manawatu’s opposition weakened as the game progressed and Canterbury notched a convincing 45-19 win.

Canterbury v. Wellington Canterbury opened well and after two minutes led, 6-2. Wellington fought back strongly but its forward, M. O’Leary, was not shooting with her customary accuracy and Wellington lost ground. The Canterbury defence exploited the intercepted shot to advantage and M. Weiman made some good saves. In the Canterbury forward line C. McMaster rarely missed a shot and some neat field work by J. Dunloys gave her every opportunity.

At half-time Canterbury led. 19-10. In the second half, with the wind more favourable, Wellington made a desperate bid and the score moved to 26-13. The speed of the Wellington attack caught the Canterbury centres off balance and Wellington was quick to press the advantage. But the Canterbury defence gave its team the initiative and the score moved to 32-17. Wellington was unable to keep up the pressure in spite of the untiring efforts of M. Johnston and with C. McMaster and J. Dunloys goaling with ease, Canterbury raced on to win, 41-22.

The position of the teams, with wins, is:— First Grade.—Auckland, Canterbury. Otago. 2; Hawke's Ba\. Southland. Southland Country, Wellington, 1. Second Grade—Tauranga, Te Kawau, Waikato, 2; Hutt Valley. Matamata. Northland. South Canterbury. Wairarapa. I. Third Grade.—Canterbury Sub Associations, 3; Marlborough. 2. Ashburton, North Otago, Putaruru, 1; Temuka and Thames Valley, a draw. Fourth Grade.—Hutt Valley Minor and Otago Minor. 2; Auckland Minor. Hokitika. 1. The results of the street march held In Dunedin on Monday were anouncM at the opening. The Gisborne Cup was awarded to Hokitika, with Canterbury- second. Results:— First Grade Wellington 33, Rotorua 27; Otago 28, Southland Country 25: Canterbury 43. Manawatu 19: Southland 32, Wanganui . 23; Auckland 35, Hawke's Bay 27; Canterbury 41. Wellington 22; Otago 28, Wanganui 13; Southland Country 27, Rotorua 19; Auckland 32. Manawatu 28; Hawke's Bay 18, Southland 24 Second Grade MatamaU 31. Hutt Valley 23; Wairarapa 30, Nelson 20; South Canterbury 31. Taranaki 24; Waikato ». Northland 23; Te Kawau 41, South Auckland 23; Tauranga 40, South Canterbury 29; Hutt Valley 28. Nelson 25; Northland 26. wairarapa 23; Waikato 26. South Auckland 17: Tauranga 26. Taranaki It; Te Kawau 39. South Canterbury 29. Third Grade

Temuka 25, Thames Valley 25: Canterbury Sub-AsSociallons 39, Horowhenua 17; Putaruru 33. Poverty Bay 27; Marlborough 30, North Otago 21: Ashburton 35, West Coast 21; Temuka 37. Poverty Bay 22; Marlborough 30. Thames Valley 27; Canterbury Sub-Associations 36. Waikato Sub-Associations 24; North Otago 22, Horowhenua 18; Ashburton 45. Waikato Sub-Associa-tions 18: Canterbury Sub-Asso-ciations 33. West Coast 28. Fourth Grade Hokitika 27. Hawke's Bay Minor 24; Hutt Valley Minor 38. Kalkoura 28; Otago Minor 35. Walroa 22; Hutt Valley Minor 34, Wellington Minor 19; Auckland Minor 42. Hawke's Bay Minor 17; Otago Minor 28. Kalkoura 20.