BASKETBALL Canterbury Shares Lead In N.Z. Title

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29910, 25 August 1962, Page 5

BASKETBALL Canterbury Shares Lead In N.Z. Title

AUCKLAND. August 24. Rotorua, previously the only unbeaten team, was defeated today to bring the first grade section of the New Zealand women's basketball championships to an interesting position.

With only one mcZch each to play tomorrow, Rotorua is now joint leader with Canterbury. four points clear from the rest of the field. Canterbury, last year’s joint winner, meets Otago, the other joint winner, and Rotorua plays Auckland. Wellington brought off the surprise of the tournaimen't today when it upset Rotorua. 30-28.

Canterbury kept itself right in the rurmin-g by defeating Wanganui. 37-31. in the morning, and then beating Auckland. 37-22. in the afternoon. Uninspiring Play

Canterbury’s match against Wanganui had premised to be an exciting encounter, but turned out to be a fairly dull affair. Wanganui responded quickly to Canterbury’s twogoal lead and some uninspiring play on both sides eventually put Wanganui ahead at 14-12. It appeared that Canterbury was playing well within itself, however, and although its field play lacked polish, the forward. C. McMaster, always stepped into the breach, and at halftime Canterbury led. 18-14.

The second spell began briskly and some sparkling passing and determined play took the score to 30-20. It was then Wanganui’s turn to gain ascendancy and Le Almond and E. Fahey effectively blocked the Canterbury centres for Wanganui to fight back to 29-34 But Canterbury’s defence rallied again to keep ahead. Early Initiative

Canterbury took the initiative from the outset against Auckland and was leading 5-1 before Auckland took up the challenge and drew level at 8-8. McMaster and J. Dunlop were harried for a time by the intelligent defence of B McNamara, but they refused to be subdued, and fine shooting resulted in a half-time lead for Canterbury of 17-19.

At the resumption, Canterbury raced away, moving with a fluency that Auckland could not match. Although the game had some exciting, and even thrilling moments there was little doubt of Canterbury’s superiority. With the defence on the alert, centres combining and accurate shooting, Canterbury won without further trouble. Results were:—

First Grade.—Canterbury 37, Wanganui 31: Wellington 39. Rotorua 28; Matamata 29. Auckland 24; Southland 25. Hawke’s Bay 24: Otago 30. Southland Country 26; Rotorua 26. Wanganui 21; Canterbury 37, Auckland 22: Wellington 26. Hawke's Bav 21: Otago 25. Matamata 25 Second Grade Ashburton 38 South Canterbury 25: Waikato 25. Nelson 20; Manawatu 23. Wairarapa 19; Northland 36. Te Kawau 19: Tauranga 35. Eastern Bay of Plenty 30: Hutt Valley 40. Taranaki 33; Ashburton 24. Waikato 25; Manawatu 29. c outh Canterbury 16; Nelson 20. Tekawau 17; Northland 29, Hutt Valley 25; Eastern Bay of Plenty 27. Wairarapa 25: Tauranga 29. Taranaki 28; Manawatu 36. Te Kawau 19. Th rd Grade.—Putaruru 33. South Auckland 23; Marlborough 40. Waikato Sub Associations 33; Canterbury Sub Associations 40. West Coast 25; Temuka 43. North Otago 26; Auckland Minor 43. Thames Valiev 32: West Coast 36. Poverty Bay 14; Waikato Sub Associations 29. South Auckland 19: Canterbury Sub Associations 30. Putaruru 27: Auckland Minor 38. Temuka 30; Marlborough 45. North Otago 15; Canterbury Sub Associations 40. Thames Valley 31.

‘The Press” Special Service

Fourth Grade.—Wellington Minor 27. Manawatu Minor 21; Horowhenua 29, Buller 24; Central King Country 30. Hawke's Bay Minor 21; Hokitika 37. Kaikoura 26; Hutt Valley Minor 29. Otago Minor 19; Wairoa 30. Horowhenua 23; Hawkes Bay Minor 25. Wellington Minor 9; Bailer 33, Manawatu Minor 18; Central King Country 31. Wairoa 24; Hutt Valley Minor 35. Hokitika 27; Wellington Minor 36. Kaikoura 21; Hawke’s Bay Minor 24. Otago Minor 19.