Men’s Basketball Y.M.C.A., University A Share Senior Title

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30541, 9 September 1964, Page 18

Men’s Basketball Y.M.C.A., University A Share Senior Title

A strong rally in the closing minutes gave Y.M.C.A. a splendid victory over the highly-rated University A side, 36-29, in the final match of the Canterbury men’s basketball senior competition last evening. The result left both teams al the top with 31 points each and the A grade championship was declared a lie.

Both teams suffered two losses and a drawn game during the season. Thev lost to each other once, drew with each other once and each lost a game against Y-Boys. Final competition points are: Y.M.C.A., University A 31. Burnham 19, Y-Bovs 16. University B 12. Rex 11, Rangiora 6. University A, which won the competition last season, started the game as the favourite but it failed to reproduce anything like the form it was showing a few weeks ago and on occasions its defence was surprisingly weak. Y.M.C.A. was more sure of itself in the vital moments towards the end of the game and a couple of rather lucky goals gave it the initiative it needed to stay ahead. However, the tenseness of the occasion affected both sides, especially as the time ran out, and a number of easy goals and free throws were surprisingly missed. Although there was rarely more than a few points difference in the scores, University A had the best of the first half. R. Entwistle opened the score for Y.M.C.A. but B. Strong and T. Morris quickly sent University A into the lead. Entwistle, who was the only Canterbury player selected for the South Island team, sank two more field goals to put Y M.C.A momentarily In front before R Zachariassen regained the lead for University, which it held at. 19-17, at half-time. Almost eight minutes passed in the second spell before Y.M.C.A. drew level at 24-all. Entwistle went In tor a beautiful lay-up and Y M C A, began to draw away. University A made a fine rally, drew level

at 28-ali in the twelfth minule but was unable to maintain the pressure in the closing minutes. Entwistle and Zachariassen were the two key men In the match, scoring 15 and 16 points, respectively, tor their sides. .1. Smith proved a very able support tor Entwistle, rarely missing an oppoortunity. Results of other matches were:— Senior Reserve.—University C 54. H. 50.8. 38; Orients A 58. Rex B 32; H.S 0.8 A 36, Y.M.C.A. C 31. B Grade.—Orients B 19, Rangiora B 18. C Grade.—University E 23. Deaf Boys 18.

W. Shaw In N.Z. Squad

Canterbury has failed to get one representative in the New Zealand training squad, announced by the sole selector (Mr C. Agnew, of Hamilton). W. Shaw (Marlborough), who was not considered good enough tor the Canterbury team last season, has been included. Ho moved to Marlborough at the end of last season.

The 25 players chosen tor the squad, the first step towards sending a team to the 1968 Olympics, are: A. Bland. B. Bowden. D. Harford, B. Reid. R. Reynolds (Wellington). C. Cotton. K. Baddiley, D. Taylor, M. Gay (Nelson). B. McTavish, D. Norris (Auckland). C. Shedding. M. Webb (Rotorua), C. Wessellnk, R Eames, R. Mead. M McMahon < Hamilton), P. Jack. D. Sumner, R. Murdoch, D. Sharp (Otago). N. Thomas (Palmerston North). Biddock (Tauranga). R. James (Wanganui). W. Shaw (Marlborough).

Sharp represented Canterbury last season.