Indoor Basketball Thrilling Match Gives Y-Boys Narrow Win

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30155, 12 June 1963, Page 17

Indoor Basketball Thrilling Match Gives Y-Boys Narrow Win

Last season's runner-up in the Canterbury Men's Basketball Association's A grade interclub competition, Y-Boys. gained a very narrow victory over Wigram, 42-37, in a thrilling encounter at the Cowles Memorial Stadium last evening. Although Y-Boys led from start to finish, the margin was never very great, and either side could have won up to a few minutes before the end. The match was fast, and showed the highest standard of the evening. Both teams moved intelligently, although they all made mistakes. The greater experience of Y-Boys probably gave them the edge needed for a win.

K. Ewing, a former representative player, was outstanding for Y-Boys. He showed that he still has much of the skill which won him Canterbury honours several seasons ago. Some of his lay-up shots were brilliant. He was the highest scorer in the match with 12 points. Another former Canterbury

player. C. Harley, also had a good game, possibly his best this season. His defence was good, and he shot accurately to score 11 points for Y-Boys. J. Smith and B. Fifield were also very competent, scoring six and eight points respectively. There was not a great deal between the Wigram players. The Canterbury representative, M. Bach, played one of his best games this season, scoring 11 useful points. W. J. Dockery, with seven points to his credit, was. as usual, quite competent without being outstanding.

A convincing 43-21 win over University B in the main game lifted Bumham off the bottom rung of the competition ladder, a position it has held, with one or two other teams at various stages, since the start of the season. Before the match. University B and Bumham were bottom equal with Wigram. University B began extremely well and at half-time was leading bv 14 points to 13 However. when play was restarted it faded badly, giving Burnham 10 points in a row without adding to its score. The play of the University players continued to deteriorate at an alarming rate and. with five minutes to go. they were down 35-17 without any chance of saving the game. . It was the Canterbury representative. P. Dyson, who contributed most to Burnham's win. its second of the season. His positional play was excellent and his set shooting was very accurate, especially tn the second half. He top-scored with 18 points. For University B. it was once again the former Dunedin player, P. Sharp, who was the mainstay. He tried veryhard but just could not get enough support from his teammates.

As expected the competition leaders. Y.M.C.A, gained a relatively easy victory over Rex. 49-18. Y.M.C.A.'» team work was far superior and Rex was never in the running. R. Burnby was

the leading scorer for Y.M.C.A, with 14 points. Points in the A grade at the end of the ninth round are: YMCA. 16. University A 12, Rex 10. Y-Boys 8. Burnham 4, Wigram 2, University 82.

Lower grade results were:— Under 20—Y.M.C.A. D 17, YMCA. E 4; Shirley Boys High Schoo) 29. Linwood High School 14; Christchurch Boys' High School 52. Y- Boys 8; High School Old Boys 21, West Christchurch High School 12. Senior Reserve.—Rangiora 22. Police 18: Y.M.C.A. 25. Jaycees 20; Lincoln College 25. Orients 24; Stets 34, Rex 11.