BASKETBALL Canterbury Beaten By Otago, 19-17

Press, Volume C, Issue 29602, 26 August 1961, Page 13

BASKETBALL Canterbury Beaten By Otago, 19-17

(From Our Own Reporter)

DUNEDIN, August 25. The fourth day of the New Zealand basketball tournament saw a succession of upsets, culminating in the Otago - Canterbury match which Otago won narrowly, 19-17. The morning was windy and fair. Rain later slowed down play but by afternoon the ground dried, but the strong wind affected the accuracy of the goal shooters. In the first surprise of the day Wanganui held Canterbury to a draw. 29-29, btit because of a time-keeping error, this game was ordered to be replayed. Wanganui defaulted the replay and Canterbury was awarded a win. The other undefeated side, Otago, was beaten convincingly by Rotorua, 28-21, in a game packed with thrills

and the final upset of the day occurred when the strong Auckland side was defeated by Southland Country, 35-25. Canterbury v. Wanganui Wanganui opened the scoring with a quick goal by J. Wright but the Canterbury centres, P. Edmonds. J. Martin and J. King, were swift in attack and good goals from J. Dunlop gave Canterbury a 7-2 lead. Wanganui took charge again to lead 13-12. Then Canterbury attacked and by halftime led. 15-14. The second half saw first Canterbury and then Wanganui dominating play. When the Canterbury captain, C. Brown, sent a well-directed pass to Dunlop, Canterbury took the lead temporarily but Wanganui had plenty in reserve and accurate shooting by E. Anderson gave tt the advantage. Play became careless and ill-directed throws • were made by both teams. The final score was 29-29. Wanganui defaulted when a replay was ordered. Canterbury v. Otago Fresh from its morning defeat by Rotorua, Otago took some time to settle down and neither side shot with accuracy. Play was tight and destructive. The Otago defence, E. Simpson and R. Quirke, kept the Canterbury shooters at the edge of the circle. A. Blair, the Otago centre, played a cool game and worked the forward, J. Martin, into position to keep the scores level. Good work by M. Neiman on defence for Canterbury was discounted and at half-time the score was 9-9.

Immediately after the break. Canterbury went into a two-goal lead, but the Otago wing defence, L Muir, took a brilliant interception and sent the ball smartly to A Renton who scored. With the centres, Blair and Edmonds, working desperately for ascendency, the game entered its final stages. Otago broke through to win. 19-17. Canterbury and Otago, with one loss each and one game to play, still lead in the first grade. Championship points after play finished today were:— First Grade—Otago. Canterbury 14; Auckland 11, Southland Country 10. Wellington 9, Rotorua 7. Hawke's Bay 5, Southland. Wanganui 4. Manawatu 2. Second Grade—Matamata 15, Waikato 14, Tauranga 12, Hutt Valley 11, Walrarapa 9, Nelson 8, South Canterbury, Te Kawau 7, Northland 6, South Auckland 1. Third Grade.—Ashburton 16. Canterbury Sub - Associations. Putaruru, Temuka. Thames Valley 11, Marlborough 10, North Otago, Waikato Sub-Associa-tions West Coast 4, Poverty Bay 3, Horowhenua 1. Fourth Grade. Auckland Minor 12, Hutt Valley Minor 10. Otago Minor, Wairoa 8, Kaikoura 4, Hawke's Bay. Wellington Minor, Hokitika 2. Individual team results today were : First Grade Canterbury won by default from Wanganui; Rotorua 28, Otago 21; Wellington 38. Hawke’s Bay 19; Southland Country 35. Auckland 26; Southland 23. Manawatu 21; Otago 19. Canterbury 17; Southland Country 34. Manawatu 15; Auckland 27, Wanganui 23; Manawatu 29. Wellington 27; Rotorua 29, Southland 20. Second Grade Hutt Valley 32. Taranaki 16: Matamata 36, South Canterbury 14; Tauranga 27, Walrarapa 12; Nelson 29, South Auckland 16; Waikato 25, Te Kawau 21: South Canterbury 23 Northland 24; Matamata 27. Tauranga 20; Nelson 31, Taranaki 13; Hutt Valley 21. Te Kawau 21. Third Grade Temuka 28, Marlborough 24; Ashburton 23, Poverty Bay 20; West Coast 27, Horowhenua 12; North Otago 22. Putaruru 22; Poverty Bay 24, Waikato SubAssociations 24; Canterbury Sub-Associations 25, Thames Valley 22: Ashburton 32, Marlborough 25; Temuka 21, Horowhenua 15; Ashburton 33. North Otago 24; Marlborough 37. Poverty Bay 17; Putaruru 29, Waikato Sub - Association! 16; Thames Valley 23. West Coast 22. Fourth Grade Hutt Valley Minor 30, Hawke'a Bay Minor 26; Auckland Minor 36. Wellington Minor 20; Wairoa 32. Kaikoura 21; Hutt Valley Minor 35 Hokitika 15; Otago Minor 33 Hawke's Bay Minor 21: Kaikoura 23. Wellington Minor 16.