S.I. Title Hopes Are High

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30179, 10 July 1963, Page 21

S.I. Title Hopes Are High

[By Our Men’s Basketball Correspondent!

Canterbury’s chances of winning the Sooth Island men’s basketball tournament at Nelson on Friday and Saturday must be regarded as extremely jood.

although over-all 'victory cannot he taken for fronted.

With two exceptions, the side will be the same as that which competed with more than a little success at the same tourney last season. With the added experience it now has there is no reason why it should not triumph.

Last year, Canterbury finished first equal with Nelson and Dunedin Mercantile, but was relegated to third place on average winning margins. Its only loss was to Dunedin Mercantile, 25-48, but it later avenged this at the national championships by defeating the Dunedin side. 48-35. The team, announced by the coech-seleetor (Mr A. Forrester!, wfll be: W. Smith (egptain. University A), W. Ward-Holmes

(University A). P. Doogue (Y.M.C.A-), R. Entwistle (Y.MC-A.). D. Sharp (University A). P. D. Dyson (Burnham), L. Anderson (University A), R. Zachariassen (University A), P. Simpson (Y.M.C.A.) AU the players have represented Canterbury in the past and all have previously played at the South Island championships. The only two who did not represent Canterbury last season are Entwistle and Sharp. Entwistle, a veteran of many seasons and of many representative games for Canterbury, was overlooked last season. Sharp, a University student, only moved to Christchurch this year. Last year he captained the strong Otago side. Tire strongest opposition to Canterbury’s bid for South Island supremacy will probably come from Otago and Nelson. Otago narrowly beat Canterbury, 40-37, in the final of the New Zealand second division championships last season, although Canterbury

had beaten it on two occasions earlier in the year. Nelson was one of the strongest teams at the tournament last year and Canterbury waa fortunate to beat it. 38-35.

Although Canterbury has Included players from only three of the seven teams contesting the inter-chib A grade competition in Christchurch, the side is the strongest that could be Chasen. Nevertheless, it is distressing to see live players from the University A side, which is second in the inter - club competition and was .defeated by the third team, Rex. only last week-end. selected for the nine-strong team. Ulis situation cannot be blamed on Mr Forrester. University A is made up almost entirely of excellent individual players who do not combine wen together but come into their own when supplemented by the team-work conscious YM.C.A. men, Doogue. Entwistle and Simpson. and Burnham’s sole representative.