Y.M.C.A. HAS FINE WIN IN BASKETBALL

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31399, 19 June 1967, Page 10

Y.M.C.A. HAS FINE WIN IN BASKETBALL

Once a candidate for championship honours, University B slipped down another rung of the points ladder to third when it was narrowly beaten by an enterprising Y.M.C.A. side, 39-30, in the tenth round of the A grade men’s basketball competition on Saturday.

Before the game the two teams were level with 12 points each in second place.

Both teams produced entertaining basketball and it was not until the final few minutes that the fate of the match was decided.

After challenging all the way, University B finally crashed under the constant pressure applied by Y.M.C.A. to throw the game away with a few wild passes and hopeless shots.

Y.M.C.A. deserved the victory if for no other reason than it controlled its play with superb precision throughout. It made few mistakes and when it did it covered, them well.

University’s A team gained a surprisingly easy win over Y-bqys, 47-22. It completely nullified Y-boys fast-breaking attack with excellent defence and made the most of its scoring opportunities. Burnham also had a surprisingly easy victory. It beat Rex, 38-20, a team it had shared bottom place with before the round. This was Burnham’s first win of the season.

In an A grade invitation match, Old Boys beat MidCanterbury 52-49. Points are: University A 18, Y.M.C.A. 14, University B 12, Y-boys 7, Old Boys 5, Burnham 2, Rex 1. Y.M.C.A. Wins Y.M.C.A. 39: D. Rattray 14, R. Entwistle 9, P. Ross 8, M. Busch 6, M. Clements 2. University B 30: W. Smith 10, J. Uttley 10, B. Hepenstall 4, P. Sharp 4, J. Riley 2. Only after a terrific struggle, did Y.M.C.A. emerge victorious and ensure the safety of its second position. It was a well deserved win. Y.M.C.A. played good, controlled basketball and never allowed its pressure on the students to waver.

It was this constant pressure in the closing minutes which finalily decided the issue. University B threw a few wild passes and it was all over. They were efficiently intercepted and quickly popped into the basket. Until this time it had been anyone’s game. Y.M.C.A. led 17-13 at half-time and with 4min to go it was only three points ahead.

The outstanding figure on the court was Rattray. He played easily the best club game of his career, scoring some excellent baskets and defending efficiently. Entwistle was also a key man. Ross was rather indecisive with some of his shots but improved towards the end. Smith and Uttley scored well for University B but the rest of the side had difficulty getting the ball through the net. They had the chances. Smith would perhaps have concentrated more on scoring than feeding for he was undoubtedly the most talented offensive player in the side. The New Zealand representative, C. Morris, was brilliant on defence but failed to score a single basket. He was a marked man from the start. Army On Top Burnham 38: P. Schmidt 13, J. Sandford 8, G. Costello 7, D. de Felice 2, D. Watson 2, B. Rose 2. Rex 20: J. Milne 5, D. Verey 4, M. Allison 4. N. Saunders 4. J. McEvoy 2, G. Jones 1. The substantial winning margin of 18 points which Burnham gained over Rex was quite unexpected. Before this game the two teams, which drew last time they met, had shared bottom place, but on Saturday the Army players showed a rare brand of determination to all but sweep the opposition off its feet. They dominated the game from the start and at one stage were leading 12-2. At half-time Burnham was leading 20-8. Rex rallied gamely in the second spell but it was too late to make any real impact on the game. Burnham’s tall forward, Schmidt, produced his best form of the season to be top scorer. Costello rebounded well and Sandford played good, controlled basketball. The combination of the ®ide was much improved and suggested that better things might be in store. Easy Win University A 47: J. Culliford 16, J. Stead 9, D. de Lisle 11, P. Stigley 6, J. Lorentz 3, G. Williams 2.

Y-Boys A 22: D. Toellner 4. R. Dew 4, K. Williams 4, W. Stoelhorst 4. D. Pahl 3, K. Ewings 3. Inability to contain the University forward, Culliford, contributed greatly to Y-Boys’ downfall but the side was generally well below its recent form and it never looked likely to challenge the competition leader.

University A played with great determination and even when it was obvious it would win by a handsome margin it kept the pressure up. It made holes in the Y-Boys defence and used its greater height to advantage. Y-Boys showed little teamwork. More emphasis in this department could have brought results, especially since it was obvious that the players were individually off shooting form. Culliford was in tremendous form for University A. His hook shots under the basket r were outstanding. De Lisle and Stead were also prominent. University A led 28-11 at halftime. Close Game Old Boys 52: A. Hounsell 16, G. Orchard 14, K. Luxton 6, R. Milligan 6, M. Gleason 4, K. Milligan 4, P. Bell 2. Mid-Canterbury 49: R. Paterson 16, T. Freeman 16, G. Stor-

rier 9, R. Wilson 5, M. Crequer 2, B. Lynn 1. Defensive attributes were lacking in both sides, but the game was enjoyable for all that and there was never more than a few points between them. Although Old Boys fielded a scratch side, attempting where possible to rest its top players for the representative matches in the evening, Mid-Canterbury did well to stay so close.

Paterson and Freeman used their height sensibly and scored freely. Storrier was also a valuable offensive player. Hounsell and Orchard stole much of the limelight in the Old Boys’ team. Both shot accurately, showing a fine appreciation of the fundamental Old’ Boys led 24-21 at halftime. Lower Grades Saturday Senior Reserve.— Taxes 33, Y-Boys B 24; Christ-

church B.H.S. A 34, Stars A 25 University C 34, Wigram 24.

Tuesday Senior Reserve. — 1.8. M. A 26, University F 14; Orients A 48, Lincoln College A 21; Rex B 30, H. 5.0.8. C 20; Y.M.C.A. C 37, Y-Boys D 22.

B Grade.—Cashmere H.S. 52, Wigram Police 19; Rex 13, N.A.C. 11; Stars A 36, Christchurch B.H.S B 25; Toe H 34, University D 30; H. 5.0.8. 30, YBoys C 24.

C Grade.—Burnsco 23. Orients B 11; Shirley H. 5.0.8. 31, Teachers’ College 26; Deaf Boys A 27, Riccarton A 14; Rangiora B 17, Lyttelton 14.

D Grade.—Rangiora C 28, Shirley B.H.S. B 11; Stars B 21, Deaf Boys B 20; Burnsco B 12, 1.8. M. B 6; Y-'Boys E 12, Lincoln College B 10.

Under-20.—Riccarton D 35, Shirley B.H.S. A 25; Hagley H.S. 27, Christchurch B.H.S. C 17; St. Andrew’s College 32. Christ’s College 24: Riccarton C 12, Y.M.C.A. E 10.