Indoor Basketball Rex A Causes Upset By Defeat Of University

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29801, 18 April 1962, Page 17

Indoor Basketball Rex A Causes Upset By Defeat Of University

Rex A caused an upset in the Canterbury Men’s Basketball Association matches last night bv beating the fancied University team in a thrilling encounter. Play was tense in the final minutes, but Rex was not to be denied a weil-deserved win. When Boys' Gordon Hall A beat Y Boys A later in the evening, extra interest was added to the competition. After three rounds, University A, Y Boys A, Boys’ Gordon Hall A. Rex A. and Wigrain A are level with four points each. Rex B and University B each have two points, and Boys' Gordon Hall B none. Results were:— Rex B 28. v. Boys’ Gordon Hall B 25 With Rex leading 18-12 at half-time, and playing more controlled basketball, it appeared to have the game well in hand, but a determined bid by R. Thomson and R. Ball recovered the position for Boys' Gordon Hall. The superior teamwork of Rex prevailed, in spite of some anxious moments. Ball played an excellent game; he used his height to dominate both backboards, and netted 16 points. Thomson also played well, but the efforts of these two could not match the sounder courtwork of Rex. for whom P. Fox scored 11 points. Rex A 33, v. University A 36 A determined University team strove desperately to regain points lost in the first half and excitement was high as time ran out. It would have been a pity had Rex been denied victory, for the team played admirably to restrain the normally effervescent University team. A minute from tune, E. Cameron netted two penalty shots and set the seal on an excellent win for Rex. The tight zone defence adopted by Rex allowed University no latitude, and for the greater part University was forced to shoot from well out. On the other hand, the Rex players, particularly P. Ward

and H. Fox, managed to slip by their opponents for the basket. The man-to-man defence employed by University was not as successful against the fastmoving Rex players as it had been in previous matches. P. Ward was outstanding for Rex and figured in many fine movements. He jumped well, broke quickly and looked for work the whole 40 minutes. University fell down largely In its rebounding and possibly because of an attitude of complacency in the first spell. Boys’ Gordon Hall A 1* v. Y Boys A 19 Boys' Gordon Hall beat Y Boys in the lowest scoring game of the season. Play was scrappy and was marred by indecisive shooting and handling. There was little constructive play from either side, but Boys' Gordon Hall held a slight advantage throughout. M. McKay and P. Simpson were the best of the Boys' Gordon- Hall team, while K. Ewing and K, Baker stood out for Y Boys. Wigram A 43 V, University B 32 Wigram had complete control throughout the match, and played havoc with the weak University defence. The scores did not give an accurate indication of the relative merits and Wigram was clearly superior. The wild University passing was often intercepted and capitalised upon, while Wigram dominated the backboards and scored almost at will from fast breaks and set play. L. Soon and S. Tunnlcilffe ran riot under the Univergtiy basket, while M. Bach and K. Fern leaped well to take most of the rebounds. Soon scored 16 points and Tunnicliffe 13. M. Guy netted 10 points for University. Results of B grade matches were:— Boys' Gordon Hal! C 32. Wigram B 16: University D 22. Rex C 12; Rangiora A 56. N.A.C. A 6; Bumsco ». Y Boys B 7: Deaf Boys 26, Bank at N.S.W. A 20.