BASKETBALL Canterbury Loses Unbeaten Record

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29908, 23 August 1962, Page 16

BASKETBALL Canterbury Loses Unbeaten Record

“The Press” Special Service

AUCKLAND. Aug. 22. Canterbury, last year’s joint winner, surrendered its unbeaten record by losing. 27-29. to Rotorua after the second day’s play in the New Zealand women’s basketball championships in Auckland today.

Rotorua and Auckland remained the only undefeated teams in the senior grade, with eight points from four matches. Canterbury has six points, and seven other teams have four. The other joint winner of last year, Otago, was twice defeated today. Canterbury's defeat by Rotorua followed a comfortable victory by 34-18 over Hawke’s Bay. Canterbury attacked from the outset, and forwards C. McMaster and J. Dunlop won applause for accuracy in difficult conditions. Hawke's Bay drew level at 6-all when Canterbury was not sufficiently alert to the loose balls, but as the game progressed Canterbury assumed control, and at half-time led, 17-12. With heavy rain favouring Canterbury's steady type of play in the second half, and good understanding between P. Edmonds (centre) and C. Brown (wing defence). the score mounted rapidly. Hawke’s Bay lost possession many times with stepping infringements. and Canterbury was quick to take advantage, and stayed on top with some polished teamwork Played it Safe With both teams unbeaten, the atmosphere was tense when Canterbury and Rotorua took the court. Rotorua forsook its usual fast game to play safe in the wet conditions, and its caution matched Canterbury's at every phase of the game. Competent shooting by Dunlop and McMaster gave Canterbury an early lead of 8-3. but the Rotorua defence, F. Haw'e and T. Vercoe, defended valiantly to give Rotorua a breakthrough. and at half-time honours were even at 15-15

Canterbury maintained a slender lead at the outset of the second spell, but sterling work by Edmonds and K. Reece (defence) was nullified by lack of cohesion in court play. Rotorua dominated throughout the court, with M. Te Moananui shooting faultlessly. Near the end Canterbury made a valiant effort, but was unable to bridge the gap. Results were:—

First Grade—Rotorua 37. Matamata 28: Wellington 30. Southland Country 22; Canterbury 34. Hawke’s Bay 18: Wanganui 26, Southland 22; Auckland 25. Otago 24: Wellington t Matamata 21; Wanganui 40. uthland Country 29; Rotorua Canterbury 27; Auckland 36. uthland 33; Hawke’s Bay 19. Otago 15. Second Grade.—Tauranga 31. Northland 27; Wairarapa 24. Te Kawau 20; South Canterbury 27. Taranaki 22; Ashburton 31, Eastern Bay of Plenty 16; Manawatu 41, Hutt Valley 27; Taranaki 36. Nelson 19; Waikato 30. South Canterbury 23: Manawatu 33. Eastern Bay of Plenty 26; Northland 36, NVairarapa 19; Tauranga 30. Nelson 17; South Canterbury 33. Te Kawau 25; Taranaki 37. Ashburton 26; Waikato 27. Hutt Valley 27. Third Grade.—Putaruru 26. North Otago 21; Auckland Minor 41. Poverty Bay 18; Canterbury Sub-Associations 33, Marlborough 26; Waikato Sub-

Associations 27. Temuka 21: South Auckland 20, Thames Valley 20; Putaruiu 26, West Coast 25: Canterbury SubAssociations 41, Poverty Bay 20; Waikato Sub-Associations 35, North Otago 18; Temuka 27. South Auckland 24; West Coast 36, Marlborough 32; Auckland Minor 29 Putaruru 26; Thames Valley 44, Poverty Bay 14. Fourth Grade.—Central King Country 36. Kaikoura 20; Horowhenua 23. Hawke’s Bay Minor 17; Otago Minor 25. Buller 10; Tairoa 25, Manawatu Minor 12: Hokitika 18, Wellington Minor 17; Central King Country 28. Horowhenua 26; Wairoa 26. Hawke's Bay Minor 21; Kaikoura 37, Buller 31; Otago Minor 33. Hokitika 18: Central King Country 27. Manawatu Minor 15; Hutt Valley Minor 32, Wellington Minor 20.