Men's Basketball Wellington Wins N.I. Tourney

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30770, 7 June 1965, Page 14

Men's Basketball Wellington Wins N.I. Tourney

■‘The Press” Special Service AUCKLAND. June 6. Wellington won the North Island invitation men’s basketball tournament at Auckland on Saturday when it beat Auckland. 61-57. Both teams started slowly, feeling each other out and probing for weaknesses.

■ Wellington soon found the flaw in the Auckland defence, the leaving of G. Rapson free for many shots, coupled with the fine shooting from all parts of the court by B Bowden. The failure to guard these two players is reflected in their points tally: Rapson 17. and Bowden 18. By half-time Wellington had secured an eight-point lead. 24-16, and although Auckland crept close in the second half it was never able to make up the leeway.

Canterbury, with three wins, was impressive in gaining second place in the A section. In its morning game Canterbury made Auckland work very hard for victory. It was only in the last few minutes that Auckland got the break that enabled it to win. 54-42. .1 Spencer and R. Zachariassen had good games, and R. Ent whistle top scored with 11 points.

Playing Rotorua. Canterbury had its easiest game of the tournament and won comfortably, 61-38. With Zachariassen guiding its play on the floor. Canterbury applied the pressure early and had a 33-21 lead at the interval. In the second half it continued its fast scoring, Entwhlstle and Spencer again playing well. A feature of the tournament was the high scor ing, and Canterbury was one of the teams to score freely. Defensively Canterbury was sound, and it was only when its top players were fouled off that Auckland, the only team in the A section to defeat it, was able to score unhindered.

Results on Saturday: Wellington 61 Auckland 57; Auckland B 57. Hawke's Bay 43: Palmerston North 41. Wanganui 23; Canterbury 60, Rotorua 38Wellington 63. Hamilton 56: Tokoroa 50. Auckland B 46. Auckland 63. Palmerston North 46; Wanganui 51, Rotorua 30; Wellington 62, Tokoroa 36: Hamilton 87. Hawke’s Bay 45; Auckland 54. Canterbury 42.