Canterbury Could End Otago's Winning Run On Saturday

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30760, 26 May 1965, Page 15

Canterbury Could End Otago's Winning Run On Saturday

TT is some years since the A Canterbury men’s basketball representatives gained a victory over Otago but there are chances that the southern side’s winning run will come to an end on Saturday evening. The two teams, which have long been close rivals, will meet for the first time this season in Cowles Stadium. For Canterbury, in its first home fixture this year, the match will be an important one. Its first line-up is much changed from last season; there is a slightly greater accent on youth and there has been a considerable alteration in the style of play. Furthermore, its performance against Otago, which has been one of the top sides in national competition for several years, will give a fairly good indication of its prospects for the remainder of the representative season. Canterbury began the season reasonably well with wins against Hutt Valley and Marlborough but was unable to overcome the powerful Nelson combination.

This record is much the same as in previous seasons and a win against Otago would boost the game in Christchurch considerably. Otago has had several changes to its team as well and a fairly close contest is likely. A strong core of experience will be provided in the Canterbury side by C. P. Dyson, R. Zachariassen and R. Entwistle, all of whom have worn the provincial colours for many seasons. Dyson was not available for the Canadian Goodwill tournament at Blenheim and his form is of an unknown quality, although his performances at club level have been outstanding. Zachariassen and Entwistle have not been as prominent in club games as usual but in the Blenheim tournament they reached their true standard. It will be around them, probably,

that Canterbury’s tactics will be based. With nine players to chose from, the coach (Mr P. Doogue) may have difficulty in deciding which five to send on to the court to open the match. The two youngest members of the side, M. Askew and C. Morris, both showed very pleasing form at Blenheim and could now be considered on an equal footing with the more experienced J. Spencer and J. Smith.

Smith, an American in New Zealand with the Deep Freeze organisation, injured his ankle at Blenheim and possibly was unable to produce his best form. If he is fit enough to take the court on Saturday, he could play an important part in Canterbury’s fortunes. Spencer, an Englishman from Manchester, is perhaps the

most individualistic player in the team and is capable of scoring freely with a variety of shots. The remaining two, P. Ross and R. Spark, while sound at club level are borderline cases when it comes to representative play. Spark has an excellent jump shot but is unable to vary his play sufficiently from this. Ross’s main problem is his inability to score points. The Otago coach (Mr A.

Anderson) has ben continuing with a coaching programme first introduced by the American coach, Mr S. K. Inman, and considers his side to be a fairly useful one. It contains two New Zealand trialists, D. Sharp and P. Murdoch, and will be led by J. Paul, a player of considerable experience. Paul is one of the best all-

rounders in the team. He possesses a quick but accurate jump shot and has a sharp sense of courtcraft. Otago’s centre probably will be J. McQuarrie, who has shown great potential. It is on him that Canterbury’s chances could founder. He is 6ft sin tall. Now fully recovered from the injury that put him out last season, he is considered a

strong contender for the South Island team. Other members of the side are L. Pearson, S. Dixon and B. Aitken.